Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-04

stretching forward so, else you'll burst
thcky coat said the cautious Prowse. g!
see the seams of un a-bulging over your
back something cruel There's JOHNNY
Beer an his mssis 1 knowed they'd
come
Five and twenty people formed the little
congregation then the vicar appeared; the
bells stopped the bride with her aunt
walked up the aisle.
Minnie was sef-possessed as usual. she
wore a light blue dress. white thread
gloves and hat with jays wing
IN it that Dan had given her
One swift peep at the face of her lover
she gave. one little smile touched her
mouth and vanished then, without a
culver, she pulled off her gloves and opened
her prayer book. Dan had his ready also.
Beside her niece stood Mrs Maine. in
bright purple dress and a bonnet that tow
cred and trembled with magenta roses and
red ribbons. On Daniels right young
Prowse appeared. He kept one hand in his
trouser pocket and held the ring tightly on
the tip of his little finger, SO that it should
be ready for the bridegroom when the crit
ical moment came.
Mrs Sweetland was early dissolved in
moisture, and Mrs. Beer likewise wept:
Matthew Sweetland seemed distracted and
his thoughts were elsewhere, for great
terror sat at the mans heart.
Then the ceremony concluded; the bell
wedding party entered the vestry
A cloud hung dark over Daniel, and ony
Minnie had power to lessen 1t. He signed
his name modify and was loud to all who
would listen in expressions of wonder and
regret that Henry Vivian and Titus Sim
had not been at his wedding.
"Of course there was the 'battoo at West
combe-yet somehow-he promised. mind
you-he promised. to Sim he must be
sick; naught but illness would have kept
him.
Don't Judge the young youth said Mrs.
Maine You forget he wanted Minnie, TOO.
Perhaps, when it coined to the point he felt
he couldn't bear the wrench OF seeing her
made over to you by holy prayer book for
evermore.'
A brave banquet was spread at Mrs.
Names, and since al who desired to sit
down to it could not get into the parlor, an
overflow of feeders took their dinner in the
kitchen. Mr.. Beers pleasure was spoilt en-
tirely by this circumstance and his wife
never liked Minnie's aunt again. For the
publican by reason of his bulk was invited
to join the minor company in the kitchen,
and then, when the time came, Daniel roar
ed to him from the other room to come into
the parlor and propose the brides health.
But this Mr.. Beer stoutly refused to DO.
His lady answered for him and her tartness
struck all the wedding guests with con-
sternation. Sour words from Mrs. Beer were
..ne bad grapes from a good vine.
"Wem very comfortable here, thank you,
Mr.. Sweetland," she shriled back in an
swer to Daniel I'VE know our place. since
Mrs Maine has made it so clear. Us will
tell our own speeches in the kitchen, an
YOU can tell yours in the parlor;- an 1t may
be news to Mrs. Maine that all the jugs on
our table be empty-have been this long
while
"An' the room, small though it be, ban't
so small as the beer was. added Mr.. Beer
with the shril note of an angry biackoiro.
The empty jugs were filled; but nothing
could remedy Mrs. Names error. So she
he and
remarks about a silk purse and a soWs
ear The visitors made haste to finish their
meal and Dams wedding breakfast soon
ended without speeches or health-drinklng.
since the beginning of the festivity there
had indeed been shadow in the air, and
men and women whispered under their
breath concerning the tragedy of the pre-
yious night But the truth was hidden with
general kindness of mind from the young
bride and bridegroom. Now, indeed,
could be concealed no longer and. horrlDle
as sudden death, there burst upon Daniel
Sweetland and his new-made VIE the
tragedy of their lives.
The time for departure came and Daniel
noticed that a crowd, considerably larger
than might have been expected, began TO
gather at the ratings of Mrs. Names cot
tage garden. Once or twice he saw Luke
Barley, the policeman, pass and order the
people further back; then, as he himself
| emerged. with Minnie on his arm, the
crowd overpowered Mr.. BARLEY and came
close Daniel stared and his jaw stuck out
and hardened for no cheer friendly shout
greeted him now. Instead there rose Kisses
in the air and hoarse undersound, or
growl, as of angry beasts.
Turning to learn the cause, two men sud-
denly approached him. One the local
inspector of police. strong, brisk officer
in uniform the other Daniel had never
seen before. Even at that tremendous
moment young Sweetland's interest was ar
rested. The stranger who now spoke to
him stood six feet six inches and was evil
| IDENTIFY as powerful he was tall. He
| dwarfed the people about him and his big
voice rolled out so that it seemed to smoth-
| er the church bells, which were now clash