Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-12-24
obstacles loomed up, returned to their

pointment over her husbands refusal to
attend the wedding, Una Barnard had
given it all up, but the children, by
bringing out their small hoard, had sug-
gested q new plan.
Tucked away in her handkerchief
box upstairs was a precious bill that
had been her birthday gift from her
only brother. She had been saving 1t,
not because there was no pressing need
for 1t, but because there were so many
needs that it was hard to decide where
to use 1t to best advantage.
It was just enough to pay the fare to
the home town to attend .Una's wedding
and to buy some pretty trlfie for we'd
ding gift. This would give her more
pleasure than anything else in the
world. She would have to give up the
new waist, but perhaps her old one
would not be noticed in such a crowd.
Her spirits rose as she went about
her work that afternoon and when
John Barnard came home at night,
tired and discouraged, dreading to meet
his wife's reproachful eyes, he was
surprised to find her talking cheerfully
to the children as she set the tea table
with more than usual care. Almost
her first words to him were:
"We're going, after all. I've arrang-
ed for Aunty Slocum to keep the boys"
He opened his lips to protest, but she
Interrupted him quickly. mo, you
needn't lose any time. We can leave
here after the facotry closes, stay for
the wedding and reception, take the last
train back to the city, and come out
home on the owl car AS to the ex-
pense, I'm going to pay that with my
birthday money"
John Barnard knew how many times
spent in imagination, and how badly his
wife needed 1t to replenish her scanty
wardrobe. His face clouded, as he an
swered:
''I can't let you take your money to
pay my way. If you must go, take part
Of it to buy something new to wear and
the rest for your car fare. I'll stay
with the boys"
She answered: 81 can't go back
there alonetI must go, and you must
go with me. don't care much for the
clothes, but, o John, 1 do want to go
to the wedding, and you must not spoil
all my pleasure!"
The excitement of preparation on
the eventful evening brought a color
to Mrs. Barnard's cheeks and a light
to her eyes that made her look almost
youthful; and as she kissed the boys
goodbye, little Wendell touched the
soft waves of her hair, saying almost
reverently, Pretty mammal" Catch
ing her husbands quick glance, she
bluShed like a girl.
They arrived early at the church, and
saw many old friends ushered into the
seats about them. Mrs. Barnard fold
ed her hands with the best glove on
top, and wondered if her waist did look
very narrow between the shoulders.
But the soft, sweet music was sooth-
ing the ache about her heart, and when
it pealed out triumphantly, announcing
the arrival Of the wedding party, she
was absorbed in the excitement Of the
moment.
Then came the clear, professional
notes, and she caught her breath with
deep feeling. 1t seemed that she was
living over again her own wedding
night.
The bridal party passed down the
aisle. Mrs. Barnard clasped her hands
tightly, but they shook with nervous
ness.
The pretty young bride stood trust
fully and proudly beside the tall young
man, who henceforth was to be her
shield against the world. The minister
was speaking. Una Barnard's heart
stood still as she heard the groom re-
peating after the minister the solemn
words of the beautiful ring service:
81, John, take thee, Una to my
welded wife," John Barnard moved
uneasily. The ceremony proceeded:
''For better, for worse; for richer, for
poorer; in sickness and in health; to
love and to CHERISH till death do us
part"
Una Barnard turned a wistful face
toward her husband: and reaching over
| Il0 cldSltu Ouc VI uGI
hands with one of his big, strong ones.
Then the girls sweet voice was
heard distinctly, as she repeated: 81,
Una, take thee, John, to my welded
husband, to have and to hold, from this
day forward"
Una Barnard's eyes were blurred by
tears of memory and regret as she lis
tened to the promises: For better, for
worse; for richer, for poorer"
All, the sacred promises, and how
poorly she had kept them! She had
been a gay, bright companion in the
time of abundance, but in the time of
loss and unaccustomed toll she had
been bitter and gloomy, silently pining
for her carefree girlhood instead of try
ing to cheer the man who was strug-
Cling to make home for her. He. too,