The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-03-17


the conductor as he swung down the
car steps to the snow covered platform
and made his way toward the waiting
room
No expectant committee gathered
about the stove, and the only signs of
life were the clicking of the telegraph
instruments and thin film Of very
rank tobacco smoke that curled from
under the closed window of the ticket
office
He waited a minute; then he raped
on the ground glass. and presently a
face, appearing In the opening, eyinced
surly interest
81 am Professor Ardmore," explained
Paul. Il am to give lecture at the
Gothic church. There Is no committee
to meet me. and there seems to be no
hack about the station"
There is one generally, but Jim got
a job driving a Teller over to Moor
way. He'll be back to meet the 9:43.
but II you don't want to wait it's easy
to walk there. You go down the road
a piece till you come to Pine street
Then You go over to Maple until you
come to Spruce. It's just around the
corner on Spruce. Are you that Teller
that was to lecture In the Star course
last night and didn't come? The ladies'
got up show. SO they wouldn't have
to give the money back"
Paul clutched at his pocket and ex-
tracted letter. He glanced at the
fine feminine handwriting and breathed
a sigh of relief.
at Is for the 17th," he announced
in relief. 81 am so absentminded that
/ have to be very careful of my dates.
Perhaps the committee has discovered
the error and will gather the audience
again tonight. In any event 1t would
be best for me to go over"
He turned up the collar of his ulster
to protect his throat and, leaving the
station. plunged through the drifting
snow.
1t was not long walk, for Maple
wood was n small place. and present
~ he was In sight of the church that
was attended by the towns fashiona-
BILE families.
To his relief the lights shone out,
and a little knot of people stood about
the door.
They eyed him curiously as he push
ed his way through to the door and
entered the vestibule. Several young
women came forward expectantly as he
entered, and Paul, deciding that they
were the committee of the Ladies'
guild, grasped an outstretched hand.
"They told me ut the station that
the lecture was yesterday. or, rather
that the audience had gathered yes
terday through some error" he said
cordially. Il am glad that you were
able to gather them together again this
evening. Ipresume an error was made
The welcoming smile faded from the
girllsh faces. you are the lecturer
cried one. I'VE thought you were the
bridegroom"
"Mercy. nor exclaimed Paul, color
ing wildly.
"The lecture was announced for last
night" went on the speaker. ''The
guild members organized an impromp-
tn concert to avoid disappointing the
audience. You might at least have tele.
graphed when you found that you
could not come"
"But l have come" declared Paul as
he produced his letter. "Your commu-
nication says very distinctly that the
lecture is on the 18th"
The girl took the letter unbelieving-
ly. then gave little cry Of dismay
You are Professor ArdmoreT' she
cried ut was Burton Brooks, the
Psychologist. who was to have lee
tured last night. Your lecture IL to be
given ON the 9th. made the mistake
in the date This is my letter. ] am
very sorry"
Il can come again on the 9th,
promised Paul as he perceived the
girls distress. II take 1t that there is
wedding here this evening May
stay until It is time for my train? II
ia scarcely inviting ut the station, and
the agent smokes very bad tobacco"
yes: we've reported his bad man
ners to the company dozens OF times. :"
was the discouraged reply. You are
welcome here, but 1t is rehearsal for
the bridal party. not the wedding"
She led the way into the body Of
the church. and Paul slipped into
pew on the side aisle, glad Of rest
full haven until train time.
Presently the organ pealed, and at
the first strains there entered the
groom and his best man. An elderly
woman, who seemed to have constitut-
ed herself the mistress of ceremonies.
shouted to the organist to stop and
charged upon the sheepish groom.
go back" she cried. You don't
give the organ chance. He's got to
play the march all the way through.
and If you come out now you'll have
to stand like toy figure waiting for
the bride to come In! Don't come I'M
til say Now and then remember the
place IN the music.
The groom and bis supporter STUN
bled back into the vestry. and again
the organ pealed out the wedding
march Paul turned curiously TO look
at the bridal party, and for moment
his pulse seemed to cease its beat
The little bride was none other than
Eleanor Kingsland. the one woman in
the world that Paul worshiped. and
his worship was not the less intense be-
cause he had never told Of his love.
He had thought Of her always as a
child, for he was very young himself
for the position that he held, and In
consequence felt himself to be tremen-
dously old.
He had meant some day to tell his
love and seek her for his own, but no
had delayed his proposal until 1t was
too late. Now she was about to be-
come the bride Of that sheepish look
Ing chap standing In the chancel.
He half rose as though to leave;
then he sank back into bis seat again.
He would drink the cup Of humiliation
to the very dregs. He would see the
girl he loved go through the form Of
marriage which on the morrow would
DO performed; then be would 60 back
IN bfc oxu, lovolnas llHA hn~e