The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-27
THE EVENING STORY
An Impromptu wedding.
lBY Hope DarinR.l


olives, the country home of the
Hunters. Mrs. Joyce Hunter rose and
went out on the veranda to meet the
young couple who were ascending the
steps.
Did you enjoy your ride, Carol.
sWeethe art?"
"Oh. it was divine! Paradise can
be no fairer than San Gabriel valley
in early April. The fragrance of the
orange groves is overpowering, and
their fences are wreathed with roses
Why, l never dreamed there were so
many roses in all the world! The
mesa is flame of red-gold peoples,
the rosy mist of the apricot orchard
slopes up to the gray-green of the
olive wood, and-Joyce, what is it ?''
What is it. Joyce?" repeated Ron
aid Strang, Carols companion.
1T is not the poetry our dear
little brown-eyed maid has been talk
ing Carol, there is a telegram from
your Uncle James,
"A telegram cried both Carol and
Roland in one breath.
"a telegram, my children. know
it is from him. as he sent one to
Harry. asking that, if you were alb
sent from Los Olives it might be for
warded 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 unwoundi 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 bringing the message. 1 know
that it forbids my marriage to
Ronald, so will not read it,"
Ronald strang st al HI his
thing and have it over with What if
he does withhold his consent? Carol,
surely you will not give me up at the
command, of an uncle and
GUARDIAN"
The girl threw out her hand with
a. despairing gesture. when papa
was dying L promised him that 1
would never disobey Uncle James"
THE old tyrant! What reason can
1 know I am not worthy of you; no
man is. 1 am a decent sort, as men
go. I love you to distraction, and
I've plenty of money to give you
everything you want"
you don't know Uncle James.
For one thing he will say you are a
Californian. Then have known you
only since my arrival here to Visit
Joyce, two months ago. He will de-
clare that I am too young and silly.
ever marry you, it must before read
the telegram
There was moments silence. The
mind of each one of the trio was
graphing
was Ronald who spoke first.
"You blessed archangel! Do you
mean tomorrow? You will never re-
greet 1t, Carol"
Tomorrow" and joyce Hunter
NAV be too late; the dragon uncle
may arrive 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 a we'd
ling. 1t may be my only chance"
you precious lambi" Mrs. Hun |
.er smoothed Carols disordered |
sunny hair with one hand While she
oeckoned to her husband with the
other "You shall have a wedding, |
!, fuIl-grown one. Let me see. 1t is |
} o'clock and we can't have the
later than 9. Six hours is
,ather a short time, but things grow
gram shall not be read until the
Wedding is over
That was a busy afternoon not only
or the inmates of Los Olives, but also
or all who lived in the other haIr
lozen country houses near BY Tele,
,hones and automobiles were pressed
nto service. Joyce asked her neigh
,ors to give her their flowers and their
ime, to lend her their servants and
contents of their refrigerators, and
nv other thing that they might have
which could be utilized for a wedding.
The call was met gladly. 1t was not
n common, but the merry little east
I'm girl had won all hearts. 1t would
,e delightful to have her safely mar
led to one of their number.
pray don't ask me to waste my
reath telling you why" Joyce gasped.
will come in due time.
| little lower, Carrie, please. Now
Iaurice, remember that you are 10
nd hriV
he Rev. Alexander Hunt, who is to
erform the ceremony; ten yards of
lumber seven white satin ribbon, a
orkscrew and freezer full of ice
ream."
The arrangements were completed.
ust as the clock in the hall struck 9
ONE one struck up wedding march,
nd the bridal couple descended the
f white, golden-centered Cherokee
oses Long sprays of them made an
rch on that side of the room where
he clergyman stood waiting, and the
Or Carols white satin slippers to
-ead upon.
The bride was arrayed in a dainty I
-hite frock that had come home from !
ne dressmaker only the day before
he wore her mothers pearls on her {
eek and arms, orange blossoms in 3
err belt and Mrs. Lankard's wedding
ell. The girls face was pale, but l
err eyes were clear and steady. The :
Dung couple had no attendants. Harry
ave the bride away. and Joyce hov-
red near, satisfaction and anxiety :
lriously blended upon his face.
AS soon as congratulations were
yer the wedding dinner was served. c
he menu was not along the conven- :
onal lines of wedding dinners, but its +
xcellency was surprising to the mas
lime part of the company. v
1.-THE fish the Gardeners sent up from y
an Diego for our Sunday dinner is z
xcellent, is it not?" Mrs. Duke asked
her next door neighbor. 2
Indeed it is. Was it not fortunate :
lat both Carrie and I planed to have I