The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-10-26


some avenue home that he knows so
well.
Il will see herl ! will know from
her own lips" he mutters as he
alights and passes in among the
guests. He reaches a quiet doorway
where ne can see and yet be unob-
served, He takes a long breath.
~Ah, how beautiful she isl" He sees
the same clear cut features crowned
by that same beautiful hair that he
had once reyerently touched; the pure
white throat rises like chiseled marble
from the gleam of her wedding gown.
Her wedding gownl The wife OF
anotherw the thought maddens him.
He cannot bear it, "Marian." he
groans and turns away. He will leave
the house-it is only agony to stay
he will go away again-all is over
only memory left-that will never go!
He reaches the door and then as if
impelled by a will stronger than his
own-enters the drawing-room.
She is receiving her congratula-
tions with ease and grace always char
acteristic Of Marian Strong. but to-
day there is a restlessness, a tremor
of excitement about her that she can
not conquer. Her eyes are nervously
scanning the room; they look at
every one who enters. She gives a
sudden gasp. A look of terror spreads
over her face and passing away, leaves
her deathly white. Some one is APP
preaching, and with superhuman
effort she controls herself
May ! offer my congratulations,
Mrs. Wyman?" low, steady voice is
saying, but she hears nothing, Faces
around her have become indistinct.
She thinks she hears music some
where. Her hand is held out me-
chanically and touched. "Geoffrey
Geoffreyv she cries family It is
sitting. and yet she is growing colder
each minute
Such surprise'l' the voice is say
ing in well modulated tones, = only
returned from India this morning
met Jack Lawrence on the street; he
told me an old friend was being mar
ried at Trinity and gave me his card
Such a surprisew he repeated.
Couldn't believe my own eyes-had
to come to the house to be convinced.
You have my best wishes, Mrs. Wy
man. ] should like to see you again,
but | sail tomorrow for England. l
had expected to remain in New York,
but my plans have been changed"
and with a forced smile of adieu, he
passes on and out In the cooling
night.
The room grows suddenly dark to
Miriam The light has gone from her
life forever.
Mrs. Wyman is i'll; the strain has
been too much for her" is whispered
around. AS the guests leave the room,
some one says: "Beastly custom, any
way, standing two hours Poor girls!
| wonder there are not more cases Of
nervous prostration after these we'd
ding receptions
AS Godfrey boards the Kron Prinz
the next morning, note is handed
him. 1t is only a little cream, crested
affair, and reads thus:
"They told me you were dead; that
you had been killed in fight with
natives My letters We're returned.
Father urged me to marry Mr.. Wy
man, and at last / yielded Oh Geof-
freyl why did you come back too
late?"
Jack Lawrence hears the news of
Geoffrey's departure next morning at
the club and twirls his mustache
thoughtfully as he says to himself'
"By Joyel there must have been some
thing in that old affair after all Jack,
it wasn't quite fair in you! Poor old
Geoffl" then calls for a brandy and