Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-08-12
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
The announcement of the Lady of
Darracourts engagement to the Mar
quis of Merle created an intense ex-
citement and interest in the county.
1t was astonishing how soon the in
formation got disseminated The
very morning after the marquis had
wrung her promise from her he sent
the news broadcast, and the local pa
pers seized upon the choice item, and
conveyed 1t to London
The wedding day itself arrived. All
the preparations were complete; the
marques rose white and gigantic on
the lawns, flags were flying in the
village: a wedding arch was erected
opposite the church gates, with
BLESSINGS on the Happy Pair en-
blazoned on it; Mr. Head had drawn
up the deed of settlement and got it
signed and the bridesmaids were
dressed in the peach costumes that
Worth had designed
Presently the bells rang out mer.
rfiy, and news arrIvvu LnaJ mar
quis and his party nau sCarUeu from
the Hall for the church. The crowd
of guests thronged the drawing-room
expectantly. Everything was ready
and waiting for the bride, and the
talk fell into the hushed buzz of ex-
pectatiOn usual on such occasions. A
few minutes afterWard the buzz drop
ped suddenly, as the door opened,
and Marie Werner appeared with the
bride A murmur Of admiration rose
as Lucille came forward; she was
magniffcentIy dressed and the soft,
white silk and lace, the big Darra-
court pearls, set off her loneliness to
perfection. The wreath of orange
blossoms lit up the glorious hair,
which shone like gold above the deli
cately nodded face.
The carriage was greeted as it LEFT
the gates, with tremendous cheer,
and now a few in the crowd called out
a hearty God bless you, Miss" for
Lucille had won the hearts of all her
people. But even the cheers and the
blessings of the crowd did not break
up that statuesque calm and icy re-
serve. She bent forward and waved
her hand once or twice, then fell back
silent and impassive.
The little church was thronged; an
arch deacon and a couple of clergymen
were to offtciate: but Notwithstanding
the costumes of the ladies and the
white surplices of the clergy, the
Marquis of Merle stood out conspicu-
Gus, as dressed with scrupulous care,
with a smile on his face, he stood
waiting, at the altar steps. He had
never looked better in his life, and
it was noticed that as the bride APP
peared his eyes lit up with a bright,
almost unnatural light OF welcome
and joy.
The services commenced; the grave
voice of the clergyman fell in meas
ured rhythm, the organ pealed out,
and the Lady of Darracourt had be
come the wife of the Marquis of
Merle.
As they passed into the vestry to
sign the register, Marie Werner sank
into a chair and heave short, quick
sigh of relief and satisfaction, then
she sprang up and with her light
laugh exclaimed:
Let me be the first to kiss the
bride, my lord" and putting her arm
round Lucille, she kissed her. Every
happiness attend you, warehouses"
she said.
Lucille started at the title, then
smiled at her in a dazed, absent way.
and bent down to sign the register.
Then the marquis drew her arm
within his and led her to the carriage,
and the crowd followed to the Court.
The wedding breakfast was as bril-
liant as the ceremony.
Amid the clatter and laughter the
carriage which was to carry the
bride and bridegroom was announced,
and Lucille went to change the bridal
array for her travelling dress. 1t is
moment when the bride, taking leave
of her parents and her old home, is
parents to take leave of, the home"
was a splendid palace, which had
been hers for few months only, and
she shed no tears. She sat, on the
contrary. as calm and cold as if she
were being dressed for dinner, while
her maid and the bevy of light-hearted
girls fiuttered about her.
is there anything more, dear?'
asked Marie. I'll take every care of
the dress-you will like to look at it
when you come back, knowi-but
is there anything else?"
NO" said Lucille; there is no
thing else"
mo message for any one?" persist