The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01
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By Jeannette Dickson CandIish
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1 dearly. so tenderly and so devotedly.
 In a far shorter time, my dear Vera.
 than it has taken me to write it all this | transpired and l had graciously CD con
 sented to sing. The details were quickly
 arranged.
 was to sing before the ceremony
 after the bridal party entered-and softly | during the responses.
 1 Glancing hurriedly over the numbers
 selected by the prospective Duchess 1 !, found them quite familiar felt | strangely nervous, but Herr Muhler's , sublime faith and confidence and the tre- | mendous issue at stake spurred me on | to rise to the height of my opportunity. 1 All was ready and, hidden behind a
 bower festooned with roses, lilies and | Smilax, I began the lovely dream song | from "Lohengrin." As the song pro- ceeded the guests grouped themselves on either side of the fower-lined aisle in
 hushed expectancy The silence as I fn- | ished was Intense, but suddenly the or
 chestra burst forth with the glorious | measures of the wedding ea. and | down the garlanded stairca ne the | bridal party.
 | It was like some splendid pageant-the soft lights, the flashing jewels, the mu- | sic and the fowers-all combining to make 1t indescribably beautiful. | There were 12 brdesmads-a perfect | rainbow as they fioated by in their quaint fluffy gowns. The maid of honor, the | Lady Isabel Hope-Krby, a sister of the Duke, came next, and lastly the little flower girls-dainty little fairies-tossing out their blossoms before the bride, star | eyed and stately, in her shimmering | bridal robes. A more exquisite vision of loveliness I have yet to see, and l could well understand her fathers ador- ation.
  | stood by the side of her future hus- band he took her hand and they knelt I together.
 The orchestra ceased and the organ, harp, violin and voice (my voee) took l up the Bach-Gounod Ave Maria" It was truly moment of exaltation As the ] last note died away they rose from their knees and the archbishop began in a \ low voice to repeat the marriage serv- l ice. When the time came for the re- | sponses-
 'I, Edward Arthur, take thee, Joseph | inc. to my welded wife T, Josephine, take thee, Edward Ar thur, to my welded husband"- l softly I chanted a Hymn of Love-" l arranged by Herr Mulher, and finished it just as the archbishop repeated: l Whom God hath joined together let | no man put asunder."
 The significance and solemnity of that | scene l shall not soon forget It was | representative union of the beauty and
 wealth of America with a noble house l whose leniage was almost as ancient as | Britain itself.
 | It was soon over and the guests crowd
 ed forward with congratulations. For a l fe moments l was obliged to listen to Herr Muhlers praises and thanlSs-hes s | such an old dear!-but my thoughts were wandering to Senator Paulding and how | -bA l remembered me however for soon he sent
 a message begging my permission to
 present the bridal party. As I reached | the foot of the staircase the senator came forward smiling, and for the moment we
 chanced to be standing quite alone. l "Ah. Mademoiselle," he said enthusi-
 astically. Herr Muhler did not tell us | the half when he sang your praises. 1 We have all been enra aptured-the
 sweetest voice I ever heard It was l ravishing. Mademoiselle du Pre-, you
 have made my daughter very happy" 1 and the tears actually came into his
 eyes-and then he added gayly, like
 King Herod of old, I promise to give
 you whatever you may ask-even to
 the half of my kingdom"
 | He couldn't have paved the way more | smoothly, so with a demure smile I re-
 piled: Are you not very rash? Re-
 member Salome and the fate of John
 the Baptist"
 He threw back his head and laughed
 heartily. I'm not intimidated; I shall
 be only too happy to grant any request
 in my power" he added graciously.
 "Very well, Senator" I answered
 smilingly, then my heart stopped beat
 ing and felt like a lump of ice. I'm
 going to hold you to your word It's
 only a little thing desire-but I must
 have it-and 1t is in your power I | want your word that you will support
 Governor Trevor in the convention and | campaign"
 My dear, if I had asked him for & | slice of the moon he couldn't have been ] more astounded. He staggered back
 and said almost roughly, 'Mademoiselle,
 what do you know about Governor Ire | vor and the campaign"
 I stoutly held my ground and an
 swered sweetly, "I know a great deal but first I must tell you I am Mrs. Tom Norris. I don't believe you under | stand that I am no longer Mademoiselle du Pre-.
 That completely finished him. The poor senatorl In nis chagrin he turned a beautiful shade of rhubarb green that | wasn't at all becoming. His hand crush ed the flowers on the bronze newel and | a steely, inflexible look came into his l eyes. He glanced uncertainty toward
 his daughter, ana JuSl Ut tudl Hloiiiohe
 she turned and smiled at him. In an
 instant his expression softened and he
 was another man. Then it was with an effort he pulled himself together
 and rose to the occasion like Lord | Chesterfield.
 Mrs Norris" he said gallantly, hold ing out both hands. I'm very glad to know you. sh all always be your debt or-nothing can cancel your service Of l today. ITO the victor belong the spoils.'" he added whimsically. and of fering his arm he presented me first to Mrs. Paulding and in turn to the
 bridal party and titled guests The newly made duch ess even begged leave l to kiss me--and you may be sure de- | sponded warmly.
 Of course no one except the initiated
 knew the secret of my presence-and the ! afternoon was a delight. should like to
 tell you of the presents, but it's impossi-
 ble. |,
 Tom could scarcely believe me when l | told him where I had been and what had 1 happened. It seemed incredible indeed. | In the course of day or two, however
 he received communication from the i Senator that proved beyond a doubt his | sincerity. It was masterly letter-no
 purely formal acknowledgement, and it | Ub mt Q