Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-01-23

VI.
and Randy wanted to give them the
dissatisfaction of seeing how well she
carried herself to the altar after all her
chopping and changing. Johnny also
had pulled himself together. He was
to be best man. The bridal party was
to meet in the church porch and go
thence TO the altar by separate aisles.
Johnny meant to be the very first, but
fate. preventing, delayed him so he was
not only last, but late. Thus he came
upon fine tableau- Randy. very white
and faint, her bridal wreath all ragged
and stained, leaning heavily upon Pc
ter's shoulder and hiding her eyes with
her left land: the right lay limp and
purple across her lap.
There had been almost a fatal acct
dent. The horses drawing the brides
carriage had run away and smashed ii
against the stone pillar of the porch
entrance. Randy had been picked up
senseiess. Luckily Peter was there to
look out for her, since her father was
too much shaken to do more than get
his breath. She had come to quickly
enough. spoken just word. then fallen
back again unconscious.
But when Johnny appeared on the
scene she was so much herself she was
trying to smile down her pain and say:
Il don't look very nice, but hadn't we
better get it over, Peter? 1t would be
too bad to disappoint everybody There
ought to be wedding at least. as 1t
turns out there can't be funeral"
She got the words out with a ghost
Of her old spirit. but Peter felt her
shudder as she spoke. Peter was al
most as white as she. He had, further,
strange look. Johnny leaned solic-
itously down to him, saying in his ear:
''I.et me take. you both home, old man.
You-you're not fit to make yourselves
spectacle"
Peter did not answer. The strange
look deepened. Very tenderly he put
Randy in other hands-plenty of kind
and tender ones were eagerly stretched
toward her-then got up, saying, sWait
a minute honey" He laid his arm over
Johnny's shoulder and strobe off out of
earshot.
We've been better than brothers.
Johnny" he said. pausing at last under
the shade of a big roadside oak Now
you must stand up to me, not consider
Ing yourself at all"
II WILL Johnny answered, gripping
Peters hand hard. After a gulp Peter
went on: You have got to decide some
thing, something can't decide for my
self. 1t is which of us shall marry the
girl back there. One or the other must
do it. and do it right off"
What do you mean? Are you crazy 2?
Johnny cried, recoiling a step.
Peter sighed II wish l could think
so or wake and find 1t a dream" he
said. but it's no dream, Johnny.
had Randy in my arms when she came
to herself She looked up at me and
said
"Whatv Johnny asked breathlessly
as Peter paused
Johnny That was ALL" Peter an
swered "But it told me a heap I'd
been suspecting all along. She's en-
her duty If / choose to take her. amt
afraid she'd ever fail me. But I am
afraid I'll fall myself, because know"
"You couldn't Peter. 1t amt in you
not to do the right thing" Johnny said
eagerly. you'd be so good to her she'd
be bound to love you best after after
little WHILE
you've answered me, Johnny" Pc
ter said. looking over his friends head.
81 am bound to do right when / see
the right Now, we'll go back and take
poor Randy home. I'll tell the crowd
the wedding is put off for two weeks"
1t came off duly, but with Johnny as
the bridegroom That made a great
talk, of course, but nobody minded
very much For Johnny found out all
of sudden that Texas was a fine place
and went there along with Peter, who
did not die of heartbreak, but came
back next season and married Melinda,
Randy's young sister