Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-12-23
NJ ,leeniIv as she dashed IN.

eessful man, what the world calls
failure, he was devotedly attached u
his motherless girl. and his face shon'
with love.
Papa, tell me, MI Philips ism
deformed, OF anything like that. II
he." Maisie gasped. seating herself OF
the edge of the bed where her fathel
was resting.
NO. pet. no." the father declared
smphatically. Far from It. | would
take him to be a very handsome man
and think you will learn to love him
dearly, or would never have con
scented to the marriage. you may be
sure of that Deformed! Why, Maisiel
Do you think your old father thinks
so little Of his little girl that he would
let her throw herself away on anyone
who cannot make her happy?" and he
tsnderly stroked her hair. which she
was Just learning to wear on top OF
her head instead OF in = great braid
down her back.
For a moment Maisie was tempted
to confess her misery. then a glance
at his worn face deferred her She
knew that his health was very poor,
and that her marriage would secure
for him comforts, Injuries, and she
did not dare tell him that she had
given her heart to another man.
Forgive me-" she whispered, tender
ly kissing him. and then she resolutely
put from her all thoughts OF what
might have been IL she had been free
when she met Fred, and, taking up a
book. read aloud to her father until ii
was time to dress for the simple even
ing meal
But little sleep came to her on that
last night Of her maidenhood, but she
rose next morning with a sweet, proud,
pure resolve to learn to love the man
she was to marry, and think only Of
him. Before taking up any OF her
small tasks for the day she hurried
away TO a spot she often frequented
because Of its solitude, and there, to
her dismay. she found Fred, more
handsome and fascinating than ever.
Il hoped you would come here this
morning and give me a last chance TO
plead my cause" Fred exclaimed, but
she shrank back, her face first scarlet,
then very pale
you must not plead anything" she
said, gently but firmly. This is my
wedding day, and l cannot listen TO
YOU" and without waiting she ran
away, her hands clasped over her ears,
her heart beating violently She suf
fered all that day, but she did try hard
to put Frsd's image out OF her mind
and think Of the man whose bride she
was to become that night; yet, even
when she was dressed in the simple
white gown, and In the parlor of the
she could not Danish tie
pleading face of the man
she had learned to love with all her |
giTlish heart.
White as death, with her lips com.
pressed until they lost most OF their
girlish curves, she waited for her
and so faint was she that
she did not raise her eyes when at
last Gordon Phillips entered the room.
She fet as though moving In a dream
when her father took her by the hand
md led her up TO the waiting minister.
She knew that a man was standing
beside her, but her eyes we're never
'aised TO his face. She heard a voice
hat broke, repeat the Il do" and did
lot recognize her own voice as she
ook her VOWS, but as the ring was
dipped on her fingers she gave a great
tart. and at last raised her great.
tolet eyes to find a pair of dear, ia.
niliar dark ones looking down upon
Ter, and she staggered SO that a strong
nm had to be thrown about her to
ieep her from falling She never re.
rendered the rest OF the service. only
to a delicious reality when
he felt her husbands lips on hers and
is voice saying:
MY brave darling, you truest OF lit.
lie loves. look at me-" and she knew
hat she was in Fred's arms; that 1t
Tas his ring she was wearing and
hat she was his bride.
What does il mean?" she cried.
truggling to get away although she /,
cit her resting place to be the dearest ,
n earth.
What happened. darling?" Fred {
sked. again kissing her, while the [
lergyman and her father beamed. I
Why, ! was to marry Gordon Phil
ps.' she faltered.
Frederick Gordon PHILIPPE" her ]
usband corrected. and then light Z
anne TO her. q
Il fell in love with you the FIRST '
loment | saw you, but resolved to
I'm you as a poor man." Fred said joy. !,
usly Was cruel?" he asked ten.
erly. and Malsie. forgetting all she
ad suffered, declared that he was !
Of although she asked him later: i
Suppose hadn't loved you as the I
cor young man, OF that | hadn't {
roved faithful to my promise?" but :
e, once more kissing her, declared:
Either premise would have been =
npossible. darling. because you see i
gu are yourself" v