Ladysmith news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1906-1907, 1907-03-16
CHAPTER vIII.-TCoNT1NUED

old mans favor. For, next to the d1a-
monds, the sordid man loved Margie
Harrison.
Linmere's gift to his bride was very
simple, but in exquisite taste, Mrs. Wei
don decided. A set of turquoise, with
his initials and hers interviewer. only
when they were received, did Margle
come out of her cold composure. She
snapped together the lid of the casket
containing them with something very
like angry Impotence, and gave the box
| to her maid.
F'Take them away, F'lorine, instantly,
and put them where I shall never see
them again.
The woman looked surprised, but she
was a 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 steady, uncomfort-
able drizzle. A dismal enough we'd
| ding-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
| lie 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 AL fat.
At five o'clock the task of dressing
the bride began. The bridesmaids
were in ecstacies over the finery, and
they took almost as much pains in
dressing Margie as they would in
dressing themselves for like occasion.
MargieS 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-doesnt that veil fall
sweetly?"
And then followed shower of femi-
nine expressions of admiration from the
four charming bridesmaids.
"Is 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 well, thank YOU
''You are so possessed. Now
should be all of a tremble! Dear me! L
wonder people can be so cold on the eve
Of such a great change! But then we
are so different. Will you Aot take
glass of wine, Margie?"
Thank you, no. do not take wine,
you know
at 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! I would like him
to admire you. He has such exquisite
taste"
Margies uplifted eyes had half
frightened look, which Alexandrlne
did not understand.
"No, nor she said, hurriedly, Edo not
bring him here! We will follow ETH
ouette for this time, if you please, Miss
Lee"
80 well, 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. I will ring when I desire
your attendance.
Margies 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 and
the windows, furnished with balconies,
opened to the floor. She stood looking
out into the night for moment, then
gathered up her flowing drapery, and
covering herself with heavy cloak,
stepped from the window. The damp
earth struck a chill to her dellcateiy
shod feet, but she did not notice 1t.
The mist and fog dampened her hair,
unheeded She went swiftly down the
shaded path, the dead leaves of the lin
den trees rustling mournfully as she
swept through them. Past the garden
and it's deserted summer-hOuse, and the
grapery, where the purple fruit was
lavishing it's sweets on the air, ana
climbing a stile, she stood beside a
group of shading cypress trees. Just
before her was square enclosure,
fenced by a hedge of arbor vitae, from
the midst of which, towering white and
spectral up into the silent night, rose