The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-05-12

joint entrance. The parlor was full of
people. He felt Julia's disdainful eyes
upon him as she turned her attention
for one instant from the best man. with
whom she was conversing in her
sprightliest manner
Yes, he was handsome. Poor Jimmy
saw that. And he seemed to have at
once singled Julia out for his special
favor. In that terrible moment wherein
he realized these things. Jimmy could
think Of nothing more desirable than
to drop dead at the feet of his cruel
love. But, instead Of dropping dead,
he lived, apparently with composure
and success. For he accepted his intro
auctions creditably, said as much as
was necessary, and even managed to
smile once or twice. But. all. he was
glad when the early dinner was an.
! nounced, even though the best man led
Julia to the table. 1t was a good din
her. Aunt Maria had seen to that. But
1t was eaten hurriedly-there was SO
little time until eight o'clock. After
ward every one ran off to dress.
Jimmy had new clothes. but he
donned them without enthusiasm.
What did it matter how we'll he looked
when the best man would look SO much
better? Downstairs the guests were
gathering. Carriages and automobiles
came and went. There was a continu-
GUS rustic OF soft fabrics ON the stairs
as guests moved up and down, to and
from the dressing rooms. There was a
great babbling OF voices, slightly
hushed. too.
| After long time-Jimmy never
knew how long or how he got there
he found himself in the front parlor
with Aunt Maria and his father and
mother staring at distant doorway,
while the notes Of the wedding march
throbbed in ecstatic anticipation. There
was preliminary rustic. long
drawn breath tnd--they We're coming!
Every eye turned to the bride.
fairy figure appropriately CARRIED in
satin and yelled in tulle. but Jimmy
saw only Julia. Her eyes We're down
cast. her cheeks as pink as the great
shower bouquet dropping from her
meek little hands. How exquisite she
was! How dear, how precious! Some
thing caught in his throat and threat.
ened to choke him. AS in dream he
heard the old minister mumbling the
words OF the marriage service-saw
the ring put on--then 1t was all over
and everybody was laughing and talk
Ing all at once. Getting married was
not such terrible ordeal after all.
In the dining room a little later jim
my sat among the others, staring,
while his sister TREMENDOUSLY clashed at
big cake very white on the outside,
and very black within. Toasts were,
drunk and great many nice things
said. Then Ada was whisked away
upstairs to doff her wedding tinery and
don her gOing-away gown.
When she came down everybody was
waiting ON the porch or In the hall.
There were concealed bags of rice, sur
reptfttous old shoes to be flung for
good luck. There was a great deal of
handshaking and kissing and some
tears, a. swift departure attended by
great commotion, the slamming of a
carriage door. and there was Jimmy
alone in the darkness of the side
piazza blowing his nose very hard and
trying to imagine what it would he
like to carry Off Julia as his sister was
just then being carried off. When
fellow feels like that, of course, there
Is nothing to do but light cigar and
smoke 1t. II he can be left in peace
long enough Jimmy strack the match
and as the light fiared up he saw a
thing OF pinkness and ineffable fra
GRANGE and radiance close beside him.
Jimmy" said the dearest voice in
the world. what are you doing way
off here by yourself?"
Jimmy stared and dropped the
match. Right upon her chiffon skirt.
She gave little cry and stood perfect
ly still while he grasped at the spark
which threatened to become danger
GUS flame and extinguished it. 1t was
all excruciating moment for him. but
Julia laughed.
Suppose you had burned me up!"
she said
oh. Julia!" he gasped. I'm just a
clumsy. careless brute! l don't won.
der you don't like me-"
"But-but | do like you," she ad-
mitted. Il like you very much, Jimmy
dear" i
oh. Julia!" he gasped again. And
then somehow. because she was so
near. and did not seem exactly un.
willing, he put his arms about her. III
love you, darling" he breathed against
her cheek
She leaned against him. She ca
ressed his face with her soft little
hand. She was adorable in her unex.
pected yielding.
Now. isn't that funny?" she whis.
pered. Il love you, too"
|