The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1910-07-07

mind and struggled forth from the
| numb determination of the morning.
It's cowardliness, the very worst
kind, for it only puts off," she whs-
pered to herself, but I'm goin' to do
1T anyhow, and let things at the last
take care of themselves"
Accordingly, at the next house and
| throughout the afternoons round Of
visits the formula of her invitation
changed Only to a wedding, that
wedding her own, was her bid" given,
but the element of the extraordinary
in the Withholding of the bridegrooms
name, as well as the absence of ap-
propriate joy from her own demeanor.
aroused neighborhood expectation to
the highest pitch.
The days went on apace while Lide
Ann totled to perfect the details of
the wedding. On Tuesday evening,
after last look at the over
flowing pantry shelves, she went out
to the big apple-trees which shaded
the back porch AS she looked at its
peaceful silence, slow tears beginning
to course down her cheeks, she be-
came aware of a form in the garden
making its way towards her. She
started up, but before she could speak
Victor Trimmer was beside her.
| come up to see about the we'd
din tomorrow" he began, awkward
ly; then, seeing her vince. he came
closer, and his voice took on a more
earnest tone. Say, Lide Ann, you
don't need to get married that way.
| know the reason you're dom it and
all, and | think you're the best woman
that ever breathed to do so much for
Sarah Belle, but wouldn't you rather
have a Twin husband?" He paused.
Then, as he met her eyes, full of Won
der, he went on hastily: Take me,
Lide Ann. I'm not very smart, but l
can run the farm for you and I'll be
just as good to you as | know how
Her face had undergone hundred
changes while he spoke; it was suf-
fused with crimson now, but her eyes
shone softly
you've a good heart, Victor" she
said laying her hand on his; "but that
couldn't be, you know; I'm older n
you, and then, there's Sarah Belle"
81 know" he said, eagerly, but I'll
be gettin' older every day, and if
raise a beard I'll look every mite as
old as you. There ant but years
difference, anyhow; and I'll just help
you take care of Sarah Belle.
"Don't decide now for good and all,
he urged, taking refuge in delay.
Think it over tonight; I'll come up
early in the morning, and if you can
make up your mind to have me, wen
fix it up then Nobody but us knows
how you'd planned to do, and Tiff I'll
do Lide Ann, nobody ever needs to
know but what we planned and ar
ranged it long ago"
He strobe off into the darkness and
she sank weakly back in the swing.
Something new and wonderful was
| throbbing at her temples and swelling
! in her throat. All her starved, sup
pressed womanhOod-that womanhood
which had been crushed as a matter
was now awake and crying for its
rightful heritage of love Undreamed
of kisses trembled at her lips; I'M
| known voices clamored in her heart;
unborn possibilities stirred her soul
until, half in terror, half in fierce joy
| she fled into the house.
Sarah Belle was up with the dawn
Wen take some flowers down to
the grave she said, and Lide Ann
| followed her through the garden. The
brisk wind blew her himsy drapories
as she watched the roses scatter over
the soddon mound and the chill of the
raw day seemed to penetrate to her
very heart as she noted in the dis
! lance, the first carryall of her neigh
! bors coming up the hill. She was try
ing to stifle the groans which forced
| their way out, at thought of the near
ing ordeal, when Victor Trimmer
made his quick way from the house
and stopped beside her.
His pleading eyes brought back the
throbbng to her throat, and she
clenchcd her brown hands tensoly, but
Sarah Belle, laughing delightedly,
dropped her flowers and ran to them.
isn't she a lovely bride?" she
queried, and, moved by sudden inspira-
ton, Victor put his arm around her.
II think she's the loveliest ever
seen" he said, earnestly, "and | want
her to be my bride instead of a dead
mans. She won't do it for fear you'd
fret, Sarah Belle; but you tell her to
ycs-maybe she will for you-and
then I'll be your brother"
Sarah Belle drew back, her blue
eyes dancing brightly from one to
the other, then she clapped her hands
THAT would be the very incest
thing ever heard Of she cried Il al
ways wanted a big brother, And Wen
have a really weddin instead of just
a make-believe, picture one! Say yes
Iidc Ann, you'll do it for your Sarah
Belle
Lidc Ann looked at her. then at Vic
tor Into her patient eyes leaped the
light of glowing hope. Without q
word she held out her hands and was
folded in his protecting embrace just
as the first party OF her wedding
guests came up the pathway.
A Wild Blizzard Raging.