The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1908-04-24
ABitofL
BY HELEN j. cLELAND

The chancel is fragrant with the per-
fume Of rare exotics. The rustic Of
silken gowns Is heard as guests pass
mp the aisle Voices are hushed and
anxious looks toward the western
door show the eagerness with which
they await the coming Of the bridal
party.
One by one the carriages roll up. de
posit their fair burdens and pass
down the other side Of the street
Outside the thick flashes Of snow
come down soft and fast.
A sudden little gust Of wind blows
a miniature avalanche around a cor
ner. and for a moment almost blinds
a swiftly passing pedestrian, who suf-
fers accordingly from the unexpected
assault by bringing his umbrella in
direct collision with that Of some one
coming towards him.
Both hurriedly look up, and both ST.
multaneously grasp hands and ex
/ claim: My dear boy"
Pom my word, Geoff. where did
you drop from?' gasps the younger
man. odd thing, that, dye know.
| Bob Lathrop and / were speaking Of
you this morning at the club; Won
dered If one of your royal Bengals
had taken a notion to swallow you
whole. Bob said: No. Trust Geoff
for that; nothing so tame for him.
/ Plucky man. Geof' Bob suggested
some East Indian beauty and all that
sort Of thing; might be, you had said
good by to the land of your forefa-
Tiers forever. But now old man, we
have you with US again. Welcome
back Tell you. I'm delighted"
The serious gray eyes Of Geoffry
Thorne had reflected many lights dur
ing his friends speech At the men
tion Of falling in love, they had sad
dened perceptbly, but had relighted
as II with some sudden thought and
turning 10 the other, he answered:
"No, Jack. It was not that Fighting
tigers is not half bad, and there are
pretty girls all the world over, but to
tell you the truth. three years is
long time to knock around and I've
come to stay. The Etruria dropped
anchor six hours ago and here l am
tubbed, dressed and making for the
club; pretty good time, eh?'
Pretty goodl' echoed Jack Lenox,
absently. by the way, Geoff, was
thinking instead Of going to the club,
suppose you take this card and drop
into Trinity there; wedding going on
old friend. l believe, too-was 60
ing myself. but changed my mind.
Good-by. old mani Meet you to-mor-
rom at the Metropolitan" and waving
his hand, was of; saying to himself:
odd thing. that-just happened to
think-old fame Of his, Marian Strong
wonder how he'll take it,"
Thorne glanced at the card care
lessly. "Please present this at the
church." stood irresolute a minute,
and then turned toward the long line
Of carriages, saying: "Well, l might
as well-can go to the club later and
Jack says It is an old friend-wonder
who?" and turning up his coat collar
to the now icy wind, says softly to
himself: "Three long years and now
back againl Back to Marianl" How
lovingly he dwels upon that name,
dearer TO him than all the world.
Marian! what will she say? Does
she care? Who knows? Nothing but
silence-all OF my letters unanswer-
ed-nothing left me but this little
ring that she took off her finger the
night l said Good BY and told me to
trust her-and ! have trusted. Can |
wait until tomorrow, l wonder?'
His thoughts we're brought to an abb
rupt close by the obnoxious umbrella
coming in contact with an awning
stretched from the doorway Of the
church to the street. under which he
now passes and into the glare.
The bridal party are at the altar.
From his seat near the door he hears
the impressive Episcopal service be-
ing read, while the tender strain Of
de Koven's 20 Promise Me" softly
steals through the heavy perfumed
air. Now the notes have changed to
a more joyous tone: the triumphant
song Of Mendelssohn pealing forth
from master fingers.
They have turned and are slowly
passing down the aisle. Geoffrey be.
gins to feel a bit bewildered. He says
he cannot see distinctly. and yet,
there is something strangely familiar
Cad, this collar chokes mel" He
turns neryously to loosen it.
They are nearing him. The bride
seems pale; and is it not forced
smile rather than a natural one that
Hgh.- the beautiful face? The look
Of bewilderment on Geoffrey's face has
changed suddenly to one Of horror
and then TO a misery that time will
never heal There is spreading over
his face an ashy pallor that brings
in prominence every line; determine
ton. too, is written there.
"My Godl" he mutters, "can IT be
Marian? Marian, darling, come back
come back" he whispers feverishly
and stretches out his arms.
Nothing but space answers him. The
warden taps him on his shoulder. He
looks hastily around and sees he is
alone in the church. He steps out
inc, the frosty air and looks around
Where IS he? What has happened?
Why is that heavy pain at his hearto
and why does everything look so
dreary? "Yes. yes" he sighs. Ire
member It all" Then the look Of de-
termination comes back.
Hastily calling a cab, he jumps In
and giving directions TO the driver
is soon among the long line Of car
riages drawn up in front OF the hand
some avenue home that he knows so
well.
81 Mill cro hnrf I will know from