The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-03-15

were the wonder of the city, richly set,
and Margarie was to wear them on her
bridal night, as special mark Of the
old mans favor. For, next to the dia-
monds, the sordid man loved Margie
Harrison.
Lfnmere's gift to his bride was very
simple. but in exquisite taste, Mrs. We'll
don decided. A set of turquoise, with
his initials and hers interviewer. Only
when they were received, did Margie
come out of her cold c0mposure. She
snapped together the lid of the casket
containing them with something very
like angry impotence, and gave the box
to her maid.
"Take them away, Florine, instantly,
and put them where shall never sec
them again.
The woman looked surprised, but she
was discreet piece, and strongly at
tached to her mistress, and she put the
ornaments away without comment.
The tenth of October arrived. A wet,
lowering day, with alternate snatches
of rain and sunshine. settling down to-
ward sunset into a steady, uncomfort-
able drizzle. A dismal enough we'd
1ing-day.
The ceremony was to take place at
nine o'clock in the evening, and the in
vited guests were numerous. Harrison
Park would accommodate them royalty.
Mr.. Linmere was expected out from
We city in the six O'clock train, and as
the stopping place was not more than
five minutes walk from the Park he
had left orders that no carriage need
be sent. He would walk up. He
thought he should need the stimulus
of the fresh air to carry him through,
the fiery ordeal, he said, laughingly.
| The long day wore slowly away The
preparations were complete. Mrs. Wei
don, in her violet moire-antique and
family diamonds. went through the
stately parlors once more to assure her
self that everything was au fait.
At five o'clock the task of dressing
the bride began. The bridesmaids
were in ecstacies over the fnery, and
they took almost as much pains in
dressing Margie as they would in
dressing themselves for like occasion.
Margie's cheeks were as white as the
robes they put on her. One of the
girls suggested rouge, but Alexandrine
demurred.
"a bride should always be PALE" she
said. cit looks so interesting, and
gives every one the idea that she real
ICES the responsibility she is taking up
on herself--doesn't that veil fall
sweetly?"
And then followed a shower of femi-
nine expressions of admiration from the
four charming bridesmaids.
SIS everything ready?" asked Margie
YEARLY, when at last they paused in
their efforts.
eyes, everything is as perfect as any
one could DESIRE" said Alexandrine.
How do you feel, Margie, dear?'
Every we'll, thank you"
"You are so self-possessed. Now I
.hould be all of tremble! Dear me! I
wonder people can be SO cold on the eve
Of such great change! But then we
are so different. Will you not take a
glass Of wine, Margie?"
Thank you, no. do not take wine,
you know"
81 know, but on this occasion. Hush!
that was the whistle of the train. Mr..
Linmere will be here in few minutes:
Shall bring him up to see you? 1t is
not etiquette for the groom to see the
bride on the day of their marriage, I'M
til they meet at the altar; but, you look
so charming, dear! would like him
to admire you. He has such exquisite
TASTE"
| Margie's uplifted eyes had a half
frightened look, which Alexandrine
did not understand.
"No, nor she said, hurriedly, "do not
bring him here! We will follow eti-
quette for this time, if you please, Miss
Lee"
90 we'll, just as you please my dear
"And now, my friends, be kind
enough to leave me alone" said Margie
81 want the last hours Of my free life
to myself. will ring when I desire
your attendance"
Margie's manner forbade any objec.
ton on the part of the attendants, and
they somewhat reluctantly withdrew
She turned the key upon them, and
went to the window. The rain had
ceased falling, but the air was damp and
dense.
Her room was on the first floor, anG
the windows, furnished with balconies
opened to the floor. She stood looking
out into the night for a moment, ther
gathered up her flowing drapery, ant
covering herself with a heavy cloak
stepped from the window. The damn
earth struck chill to her delicately
shod feet, but she did not notice 1T
The mist and fog dampened her hair
UNDECIDED. She went swiftly down thu
shaded path, the dead leaves Of the lin
den trees rustling mournfully as sh'
swept through them. Past the garden
and its deserted summer house, and tn,
grapery, where the purple fruit wal
lavishing it's sweets on the air, ant
climbing stile, she stood beside
1tn CHI Tee