Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-08-07


strains of a bridal march, and soon the
grave, impressive marriage service had
begun.
"Who gireth this woman to be mar
ried to this manf"
Lance stood forward There was no
confusion, no hating or hesitation. The
| white haired man who had brought Nan
lhither, on whose arm she had leant in
coming up the aisle, had seen what she
with her eyes cast down save for one
trustful glance into the face of her
waiting lover had not seen-Lance Heriot
and his wife in the topmost pew, and on
the faces of both a look which told him
that all was to be well with his little
friend on her wedding day. And when
he had brought Nan to the chancel rails
he quietly stood aside, giving up his
place TO the younger man, and gripping
his hand for an instant as he passed him
in that mute comprehensive way that
men have when feelings are strongest.
So it was from Lance that Austin
Lynthwaite received his bride And as
Nan and Austin turned their eyes upon
him for an instant-saw him standing
there erect and manly, grave, but with
all the old brotherliness and friendship
looking forth from his eyes. they felt
that this was indeed their day of days"
and that they could all rejoice and be
glad in it,
But even that was not the end Other
hands were elasped that day hands that
had never touched before-hands that
it had once seemed would never meet in
forgiveness or friendship again. For
whe2s they all went back to Lyncroft,
Lance and Shirley went with them. and
in those hours, when somehow love and
happiness and reunion seemed to cast a
chastened halo over all things, men
spoke out to one another bravely of the
thoughts and hopes end regrets that
were in their hearts; and two women,
strangers before in all but name, look
ing into one another's eyes, read there
something of the stress and anguish, the
yearning and remorse through which
each had passed.
Il will go to Mans wedding Shirley
had said, when they were talking things
over the night before Il win try not
to cast things up against Austin Lynth-
waite or his father. But | can never
forgiye--that woman"
Yet, if she had not forgiven her. at
all events before she left Lyncroft that
day the cold restraint she had placed
upon herself beforehand and kept up
during the first half hour had vanished,
nor did it return.
No one ever quite knew how the
change had been wrought The men
and younger members of the party only
knew that when Nan had left them to
make ready for her wedding journey.
with laughing invitation to Shirley to
follow and help her, in a little while
Mrs. Lynthwaite had left them too. and
it was long, long time before either
of the three rejoined them. And when
at last they came Mans arm was linked
in that of Austin's mother. She was
smiling cheerily: but in her eyes-in
Shirley's too-there were traces of recent
tears, and in the elder womans a look
of greater serenity and calmness than
. her husband aud son had seen in them
for many long day.
Nan was holding in her other hand a
businesslike looking roll of paper
This" she said, holding it aloft with
laughing, grateful glance at her
father in-law, lis my latest wedding
! present. ] found it in my room lust
3 now. Lance, until i come back / give
E it into your safekeeping. And further.
more'-to lapse into the form of
J phraseology in which that document
: simply reyelsI make this same Lance
= Heriot and Shirley his wife custodian
of the property therein named and men
toned with full right TO dwell in and
| inhabit the same, and"
Man, Nan, what are you saying?
Have you taken leave of your senses 90
Nearly, / think This has been such
! a glorious day-nothing so good has
!, ever come into my life before. Lance,
) put the finishing touch to my happiness
: and contentment By promising that YOU
and Shirley will be my first tenants.
Shirley is willing, subject to your con.
sent. Lance, don't you understand? This
! is the freehold of the Liacs-the Liaes,
! dear-the little house facing the com
r mon, that you and Shirley"
, For a moment Nan thought she had
| spoiled everything. With one of those
| quick grave glances she knew so we'll
: her brother had turned to Mr.. Lynth.
waite.
SIS this your way them" he asked, "of
! trying to get things back to the old
: footing?"
J Zone way perhaps, but there are others
/ which you will not let me put into
, practice. Heriot, we are all friends
/ here--everyone round us today knows
how things have been between us. But
2 the future what is that to bring forth ?
: Is it henceforth to be peace or enmity?"
Then Nan, waiting breathlcssly for
the answer, saw her brothers hand 90
, forth to clench Mr.. Lynthwaite's in
frank, manly grasp. And when she and
, Austin set forth an hour later on their
wedding journey their hearts were once
: again full of a great JOY and thankful
ness, for they knew they were leaving
behind them not dissension and antagon-
ism, but peace and good fellowship, to
/ the midst of which they themselves in
, due time would return.
THE END
1 Cha Uxo.,, III.