The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-10-09

The whole house was in confusion as time
passed and the minister did not come. Il
always wanted Opal to teach school, and
mcbbc She oughtcr a done it, lamented
Ma Land dunno what to do! II Sef-
tic want 50 upstandin' I'd call it rigltt. off. 7
"Butch's a-gobbIin ice cream in the
pantry, Gramma,' informed Janice.
"A-gobblin ice cream echoed Jasper.
Land visht was dead' exclaimed
Ma bystcrically; but the sound Of steps OH
the front porch sent her hurrying to the
door, taking off her apron on 'l'c way. For
the minister had come And it was not the
Rev Wilbur Strang but the Rev Mr. Staf-
ford, who somehow, did not look so formi-
dable as Ma had always imagined. ~
Calmly Mr.. Stafford shook hands with
Ma, and unconscousy She gave sigh of
relief for he seemed to bring the spirit of
well-bcing and order with him. His very
presence stilled the turbulent waters OF
the Flickingers' "party" Ma forgot to-
worry And julie tried to resurrect the
twins lanky curls with careful pokes Of her
finger.
When Opal and Seton took their places
in the front room to be married, hush fell
on the excited house OF Flickinger, and on
the tluttered heart Of Opal And the cere-
mony was progressing smoothly when the
twins, advancing prominently into the lime
light Of their small world with the basket
that contained the wedding ring, suddenly
glanced up at Mr. Stafford; then Janice.
the bold ono, stiffencd with stage fright,
and, jerking Jasper after her, ran to their
mother
But julie, with solemn importance, pushed
the protesting twins toward the minister,
and when he had taken the ring, she backed
elegantly into a group Of neighbors; while
the twins, who were cinging tightly to her
skirts, were swallowed up in welcome OBJ
scurty
During the congratulations, after Billie
Flickinger had kissed his sister Opal, he
turned impulsivcly to his old enemy julie
andheld out his handwith awkward goodwill
julie, gratified and touched gave him her
hand, saying gently, That's the way | feel
too, Billie. But She could not help adding
to herself, Bill begun it, anyway" though
for once she was too sensible to say aloud
And Jed, when he clasped Sefton's hand, /;
being faithful but inarticulatc soul, could !.
not bring himself to say brother though !
perhaps the bond was all the stronger be- !
cause it silently united them
Then Willie Briggs, wiping something
from his chubby check Gt might have beeE
A afurtive tear with primy folded handkcr !.
WIG k,,ir toA
Seton with a generosity that was very
to Willie. For be had written in !
MS voluminous and neatly kept diary thrs
MS heart was ashes and dust And being
very young man, he did not expect ever to
-ecovcr from the wound that Opal had given
lis vanity by not marrying him.
And Ma Flickingcr, realizing all at once
hat her youngest child was leaving her for
yer for another home, suddenly felt the
bitterness of parting and Mrs. Woods,
Who understood oomforted Ma Pa Flickin-
ter, having helped to bring about this
lappy mating, was divided between pride at !,
rs success and strangely insistcnt sense of
osS; for Opal, quiet and unsciish always,
1as her fathers tavoritc J..
After Opal and Seton were started osl
heir wedding journey, and chc guests wtro''
one, Ma said, II can't help worrvin
cause OpaPs goin' BY boat to Chicago, 4
ever did have no faith in Lake Michigan"
Shes as smooth as glass to-ooy," Pa
ssured her
1T could git rough quick enough il ;s
,anted TO, accused Ma And, say, Pa:
int Mr.. Stafford lovcy man2'
Everybody always said so rminded.
a; then he anxiously inquired, Did | g.
y bleSsin invite out right side aforcp
Land. never thought Of grace till wej
as all SET down to cat, and then ii strucS
le like cannon ball whatever was yor
ON, to do about it; but out YOU brealg
erfectly natural-though polite, and asl
i'm to do it.
And Rev Stafford didn't wander al.
yer the globe a-givin' thanks for every
nng he could lay hands on neither" adj.
lircd Pa. n
tic knew the dinner was coolin', and he
ldnt hardly begun till he was through.p;
raised Ma. And to think that 200.
ev. Strang was doin his best al Inc lime
explained by his telegram a-comin' on
p Of the blessin': Railroad wreck. de-
med. unhurt, turriblc sorry or words to.
iat effect
But il seemed lcctlc ike a funeral to,
e--our Opal goin away-ior good pa
'uld not help saying wistfullv.
Here, too. sighed Ma, but wouldn't
I'VE It no ditferent.now, even if it was q tue,.
I'd kinder forced on nc, cause Opsls
lPpy, and Settles good boy. A BODY
axes their plans but how often does lie
atch a9 to cur