Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1908-09-04
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Its no use, Edna. the Lord never
meant me to be very happy in this
world. I'll have to take what can
get and be thankful"
The two girls we're directly oppo-
site types. Eleanor was tall. grace
full, high strung. nervous, full of life
and energy. Her most attractive fea-
lures were her eyes. dark and deep
set. with longing. unsatisfied ex-
preston. Edna was a type much less
interesting, cold, phlegmatic and
clear sighted; a much smaller wom-
an. too. with colorless gray eyes.
On the bed lay lingerie of the most
alluring kind. the sort Of things that
only woman can appreciate. Pile
upon pile Of lacy stuffs were scattered
about the room. Surrounded by
these pretty things that women love
sat Eleanor Godfrey. who tomorrow
would be the bride of Tom Grant.
There's one thing l can never re-
gret." she said. 81 told Tom every
thing before he took me. 1t was
brutally frank, admit, to tell your
future husband that the best love of
your life had been given to another"
Poor boy murmured Edna.
"Poor boy, indeed. Don't 1 have
to live with him? Don't l have to
see him waste his life? And it is
nothing that have to exc out an ex-
istence crushing down my slghs, fore
ing back my tears?"
Walking across the room to where
Edna sat she put her hands on a pair
Of very unsympathetic shoulders.
How can you judge? You do not
know the case. Now listen. Every
breath 1 breathe. every prayer l ut
ter, every breath of my aching heart
is for Jack Winston I've loved him
ever since l was little girl, but you
see 1 could not very well marry him
because he never asked me. Then,
too, Jack is so poor, and all my life
I've been longing for thin. s that Tom
Grants money will buy for me. l
don't deceive him. l said l couldn't t
love him; but he, still knowing this,
wants to marry me, and l accepted.
Now Judge me If you will"
Edna Strengthened up bit and the
lines about her mouth seemed to
grow deeper in an instant.
zone question, please, before
render the verdict. You take upon
your soul the wrecking of this man s
existence. You will suck the honey
from the flower of his life and leave
him nothing but the stem. This is
easier for you than being an old
maid Then, too, suposing that Ton
was in love with some other girl?"
Il plead guilty to the charge
Judge, and accept the sentence of the
court. Your logic is getting stale;
SO let's go to bed that l may get my
beauty sleep and make a handsome
bride. Think of it, dear girl. to-mor.
row at this hour my visiting cards
will read, Mrs. Thomas Kemp
Grant
The next morning was co1orless,
the air heavy; in fact, Just the sort OF
day to make a bride look out OF the
window and wonder If she really were
superstitious.
1t was about 0 o'clock and Tom
was whistling one minute and singing
the next. He walked into the bed
room where his friend and best man
lay peacefully sleeping.
Get up, you lazy yagabond. We
can't keep the bride waiting, you
know. That's her privilege"
The best man rubbed his eyes,
growled bit, and finally crawled out.
Tom was practically ready. After
working about an hour on 1t. he had
managed to arrange his puff tie to his
entire satisfaction. He had buttoned
and unbuttoned his waistcoat until
his thumbs were blistered. He had
pulled 1t down in front and buckled
it at the back until the seams threat
ened to give way.
By IL the men were ready and on
their way to the house. AS they
neared it Tom became more and more
nervous. There seemed to be a
weight on his heart that he could not
lift. At that moment the best man
was hanging out the cab window
cursing the cab driver for the snail.
like pace they were pursuing.
Il say, cabby, this is a wedding that
we are going to, not a funeral. I'll
give you an extra half dollar if you'll
hurry"
An extra half. is it? You talk
like politician. Well, sir, you might
corrupt me, but the horse can't be
bribed and weddin's or funerals, his
gait is all the same, Rest easy while
you can, sir-the lady will drive You
fast enough, once she gets the reins.
The best man was about TO rsisii
the Irish as nation, when Tey,S said
IF anything should happen
Jumping Juniper, Tom, L%ace u
You look as if you had curvade eure {
the spine. Pull yourself togNethel
will you? Any girl who had 81 ch
looking object as you on her ca Hlin
list would be ostracized by good ~
ciety. and one who would marry va
would be declared mentally incom,
petent.
All right. I'll pull up, but I've q
beastly idea that something is COINS
wrong. Jack. old man, can't do IT
I'm in love with Edna Cross ami moi
with Eleanor. I've just begun ts
realize it,"
You old poacher, then why did yor
ask Eleanor to marry you, When yot
knew that l have loved her all m,
life, and have been trying to forgot
her for months? Night after nigh
went over and sat with Edna, tryint
to make myself think was forgetting
Eleanor
"And every night, said Tom, a
went to see Eleanor because you wer
over at Edna's. and l had no rio
trespass on your preserves
mess we've made of It.
going to do2"
do? Why.a