The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1907-11-06

Inc GHdIftl Is lIhEl dhA WIN NhN -
fume of rare exotlcs. The rustic OF
silken gowns is heard as guests pass
up the aisle. Voices are hushed and
anxious looks toward the western
door show the eagerness with which
they await the coming Of the bridal
party.
One by one the carriages roll up, de-
post their fair burdens and pass
down the other side of the street.
Outside the thick flashes Of snow
come down soft and fast.
A sudden little gust of wind blows
a miniature avalanche around cor
ner, and for a moment almost blinds
a swiftly passing pedestrian. who suf-
fers accordingly from the unexpected
assault by bringing his umbrella In
direct collision with that of some one
coming towards him.
Both hurrledly look up, and both ST.
simultaneously grasp hands and ex-
claim: MY dear boy!"
"Pon my word, Geoff. where did
you drop FROM" gasps the younger
man. odd thing, that. dye know.
Bob Lathrop and | were speaking of
you this morning at the club; won
dered IL one of your royal Bengals
had taken a notion to swallow you
whole. Bob said: No. Trust Geon
for that: nothing so tame for him.
Plucky man, Geoff! Bob suggested
some East Indian beauty and all that
sort OF thing; might be, you had said
good by to the land of your forefa-
Tiers forever But now old man, we
have you with us again. Welcome
backl Tell you, I'm delighted"
The serious gray eyes of Geoffry
Thorne had reflected many lights dur
ing his friends speech. At the men.
ton of falling in love. they had sad.
dened perceptibly, but had relighted
as II with some sudden thought and
turning to the other. he answered:
NO. Jack, it was not that. Fighting
tigers is not half bad, and there are
pretty girls all the world over. but to
tell you the truth, three years is a
long time to knock around and I've
come to stay. The Etruria dropped
anchor six hours ago and here / am
tubbed, dressed and making for the
club; pretty good time, eh?"
Pretty good" echoed Jack Lenox,
absentiy. "By the way, Geoff, was
thinking instead of going to the club,
suppose you take this card and drop
into Trinity there; wedding going on
old friend, believe, too-was go
ing myself, but changed my mind
Good.by. old man! Meet you to-mor'
rom at the Metropolitan" and waving
his hand, was of; saying to himself:
"odd thing. that-just happened to
think-old flame of his, Marian Strong
wonder how he'll take IL"
Thorne glanced at the card care
lessly. please present this at the
church." stood irresolute a minute
and then turned toward the long line
of carriages, saying: We'll, l might
as well-can go to the club later and
Jack says It is an old friend-wonder
who?" and turning up his coat col.ai
to the now icy wind, says softly to
himself: Three long years and nov
back again! Back to Marian!" How
lovingly he dwells upon that name
dearer to him than all the world
Marian! what will she say? Does
she care? Who knows? Nothing but
silence--all OF my letters unanswer
ed-nothlng left me but this little
ring that she took off her finger tn,
night ] said Good by! and told me t
trust her-and | have trusted. Can
wait until tomorrow. wonder?"
His thoughts were brought to an alb
rupt close by the obnoxious umbrella
coming in contact with an AWNING
stretched from the doorway Of tn,
church to the street. under which h,
now passes and into the glare.
The bridal party are at the altar
From his seat near the door he hear
the impressive Episcopal service be
ing read. while the tender strain o
de Koven's 20 Promise Me" softl
steals through the heavy perfume
air. Now the notes have changed L
more joyous tone: the triumphan
song of Mendelssohn pealing fort
from master fingers.
They have turned and are slowl
passing down the aisle. Godfrey b,
gins to feel a bit bewildered lie say
he cannot see distinctly, and ye
there Is something strangely familia
cad, this collar chokes met" II
turns nervously TO loosen II.
They are nearing him The brid
seems pale; and is II not a force
smile rather than a natural one thi
llgh'. the beautiful face? The loo
of bewilderment on Geoffrey's face ha
changed suddenly to one Of horrC
and then to a misery that time wi
never heal. There is spreading ov,
his face an ashy pallor that brinl
in prominence every line; determln
ton. too is written there.
MY Cod" he mutters. "can II I
Marian? Marian, darling, come bac
come back" he whispers feverlsh
and stretches out his arms.
Nothing but space answers him. II
warden taps him on his shoulder. /
looks hastily around and sees he
alone In the church lie steps OF
int, the frosty air and looks aroun
Where is he? What has happened
Why is that heavy pain at his hear