Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-11-05

0OAAAN
of the young men had spent the early
morning in decking the road with flags
and banners.
AS the brougham pulled up there
was a stir of excitement, and when
BARLEY Bradstone got out a cheer
rose, but it was forced and faint, and
his appearance did not increase his en-
thusiasm.
On me, if he don't look as If he
was going to be hanged instead OF
we'd" said one man in an almost audi
bic whisper
He looked around him with a sickly
smile, and with the restless suspicion
more marked than ever in his glance,
and just raising his hat went into the
church The clergyman and the
Iclerk were in the vestry, and the lat
ter greeted him with the stereotyped
remarks:
"The bridegroom first! Quite right,
Mr.. Bradstone All! here they are!
The bells are just starting. What d
lovely morning! Happy is the bride,
etc." and he laughed.
Barley Bradstone went to the door,
stood a moment till the first carriage
came dashing up, then returned to the
Ivestry and paced up and down.
Other carriages followed; the little
room began to fill, and guests were
taking their places in the pews near
the altar.
BARLEY Bradstone shook hands with
one and another, and faint flush be
gan to rise on his face; but it still
Hooked haggard and anxious, and sew.
eral times the remark which the man
in the crowd had made was echoed
by the young fellows who envied him.
Presently a cheer, loud and hearty,
burst from the crowd out side, and the
bishop, with bland smile, said:
''The BRIDE
A moment afterwards, amidst still
more cheering cries of God bless you,
Miss Olivia!" the squire entered with
the bride on his arm.
There was an instantaneous move
ment toward them, and amidst the ex-
cited whispering they entered the YES
try. She carried in her hand the bou-
quet he had sent; but the snow-like
flowers were not whittier than her face,
and she chung to her fathers arm with
a clasp which seemed as if it could
never be loosened.
! With dOwncast eyes she stood for
moment, scarcely seeming to breathe,
more like a lovely statue than living
woman; then BARLEY Bradstone, who
had been standing in the center CT
a group, came towards her.
! Have you got what I sent you" he
said in a low voice.
! She raised her eyes and looked at
him as if she scarcely heard him.
! DO you mean this?' she said, rails
ing the bouquet.
| Yes, and inside it," he said.
She looked at him as if she did not
yet understand, and taking the flowers
from her hand he parted them and
showed her an envelope lying half-hid
den in their midst.
| you did not examine it very close
ly," he whispered, with an attempt at a
smile !Open it; come this way
| Slowly, reluctantly she drew her
arm from her fathers and followed
him. Those near delicately drew
back and moved away, leaving the two
alone She opened the envelope ana
looked at the paper it had enclosed.
1t was a formal acknowledgment Of
fifty thousand pounds having been paid
into the Wainford Bank in her name.
For a second only, the deep pa1.or of
her face changed, and her lips quiz
Iered, and with look-not at him, but
at her father-she thrust the paper in
the bosom of her dress.
Are you satisfied" ne whispered
bending over her as if to look at the
bouquet.
Her lips opened, but no sound came;
and with the same vacant expression
in the lovely eyes she got away from
him to the protection of her fathers
arm again.
Are we all-er-ready? asked the
Ismooth voice Of the bishop.
Quite ready" said BARLEY Brad
Istone, his voice sounding harsh and
dry.
The bishop inclined his head, and
the procession started for the altar
White to the lips, with the look in
her eyes of one from whom all that
life holds of good or bad has passed
flor ever, Olivia stood and uttered her
marriage vows.
There was the usual crowd round
the register, everyone being anxious
to sign, but the business was accom-
|pIished at last, and with her arm in
her husbands Olivia passed out of the
church.
They stood for a second at the door.
The sun blazed upon them and the
chnorino crowd and RartloV BradStOne