The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-10-12

Carol, there is a telegram from your
Uncle James,"
"a telegram cried both Carol and
Roland in one breath.
"a telegram, my children. l know
it is from him, as he sent one to Har-
ry, asking that if you were absent
from Los Olives it might be forward
ed to you. He must have sent it as
soon as he received the letters telling
Of your engagement"
Carol sank down upon one Of the
porch chairs. Her fingers trembled as
they unwound the mass of chiffon in
which her head and neck had been
swathed
mo, Joyce" she cried, as her hostess
turned away. There is no use bring
ing the message. l know that it for
bids my marriage to Ronald so l will
not read it."
Ronald Strang Strengthened his broad
shoulders. Let us read the thing and
have it over with. What if he does
withhold his consent? Carol. surely
you will not give me up at the COM
mand of an uncle and guardianY'
The girl threw out her hands with
despairing gesture when papa was
dying | promised him that would
never disobey Uncle James"
''The old tyrant! What reason can
he give for refusing us his blessing?
know | am not worthy of you. No
man is. l am a decent sort as men go.
love you to distraction, and I've plen-
ty of money to give you everything
you want"
"You don't know Uncle James. For
one thing he will say you are Cali
fornian Then have known you only
since my arrival here to visit Joyce,
two months ago He will declare that
| am too young and silly. There is no
use talking, Ronald. if ! ever marry
you 1t must be before read the tele-
gram"
There was moments silence. The
mind of each one Of the trio was grap-
ping with the same question. 1t was
Ronald who spoke first.
"You blessed archangel! Do you
mean tomorrow? You will never re-
greet 1t, Carol"
Tomorrow and Joyce Hunter
threw back her head. Tomorrow may
be too late. The dragon uncle may ar
rive before then. 1t must be tonight.
Here comes Harry, my own liege lord
and master born,' and he Is the best
hand at arrangements"
Carol began to sob. Eyes. / love
you, Ronald. but II want wedding.
1t may be my only chance"
"You precious lamb" Mrs. Hunter
smoothed Carols disordered sunny
hair with one hand while she beckoned
to her husband with the other. "You
shall have wedding, full grown one.
Let me see. 1t is o'clock, and we
can't have the wedding later than 8.
Six hours is rather short time, but
things grow rapidly in California.
And that telegram shall not be read
until the wedding is over"
That was a busy afternoon not only
for the inmates Of Los Olives. but
also for all who lived in the other half
dozen country houses near by. Tele-
phones and automobiles were pressed
into service. Joyce asked her neigh
bors to give her their flowers and their
time. to lend her their servants, the
contents Of their refrigerators and any
other thing that they might have which
could be utilized for a wedding.
The call was met gladly. 1t was not
only that the colony had many things
In common, but the merry little eastern
girl had won all hearts, 1t would be
delightful to have her safely married
to one of their number.
"Pray don't ask me to waste my
breath telling you why" Joyce gasp
ed. Explanation will come in due
time. A little lower, Carrie. please.
Now, Maurice, remember that you are
to run into Los Angeles and bring
out the Rev. Alexander Hunt, who Is
to perform the ceremony; ten yards Of
No. white satin ribbon, corkscrew
and a freezer full of ice cream"
The arrangements were completed.
Just as the clock in the hall struck
8 some one struck up a wedding
march, and the bridal couple descend
ed the stairs. The front parlor was
a bower of white, golden centered
Cherokee roses. Long sprays of them
made an arch on that side of the room
where the clergyman stood waiting,
and the carpet was strewn with
snowy petals for Carols white satin
slippers to tread upon.
The bride was arrayed in a dainty
white frock that had come home from
the dressmaker only the day before.
She wore her mothers pearls on her
neck and arms, orange blossoms In
her belt and Mrs. Lankard's wedding
veil. The girls face was pale, but
her eyes were clear and steady. The
young couple had no attendants.
Harry gave the bride away, and Joyce
lowered near, satisfaction and anxiety
curiously blended upon bis face.
AS soon as congratulations were
over the wedding dinner was served.
The menu was not along the conyen-