The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-03-25

that she'd rather have a white sill,
dress because she could use II later for
her own wedding"
WheniI was alone could not resist
n hearty laugh at the thriftiness az
Lucy Drake. She was Maria's age
but the difference In the Two women
was marked. Maria'in her blunt. plain
way seemed to behold her marriage 10
Captain Fish as the start OF new
life. life OF copgenial. affectionate
companionship. with a placid happiness
that should last them during the re-
mainder OF their half lived lives. Her
love for the handsome old captain was
sincere to the core. Her contempt for
the foolish romantic notions of Lucy,
Drake was equally sincere. I was
vexed at Lucy for intruding her no
tons I'm the midst OF Marias quiet little
wedding preparations.
The wedding was set for Thursday
evening, and because Maria's house
was small and because everybody in
Ounce Harbor would expect TO wit.
ness the marriage OF two such popular
persons, IL was decided to hold the GER
emony in the church. Captain Fish
had ordered palms and white flowers
from the Smithville florist to decorate
! the church.
In the meantime Lucy Drake dartedi
in and out of the house her thin cheeks
pink with excitement her straight fair
hair flying wildly about. She was
trimming over with hundred sugges-
tions to enhance the novelty of the oc.
casion.
"You'll only be married once, Maria"
she urged.
! 81 hope So" retorted Maria loftily.
'Do as you please about your own
wedding, Lucy. but leave mine alone.
please
"a double wedding would have
been romantic" murmured Lucy re-
gretfully.
"you and Orville settled it them"
Maria's eyes seemed to be relieved. I
wondered IL she did not harbor a small
jealousy of Lucy Drake.
"Yes-lookw Lucy held out a thin
scraggy hand and displayed on the
third finger of her left hand a large
amethyst ring. cit belonged to his FIRST
wife," she murmured sentimentally.
"I'll help you get up a big wedding.
Lucy" said Maria generously.
Lucy gave her queer look you
can remember what you said after
ward" she said and turning on her
leel. walked out.
what did she mean?' ] asked.
Maria shrugged her plump shoulders.
az don't know. She's acted queer
about this wedding business from the
beginning. She told somebody that
she had always said she would be mar
red before / was and she would yet
can't see how she's going to man
age IT,"
Captain Fish asked my advice about
the wedding garments he must wear
and I answered him frankly. putting
aside Lucy brakes suggestion OF the
marine wedding and taking into
careful consideration the time worn
customs of Ounce Harbor weddings
of the past Beyond that he made no
allusion TO any doubts he might have
had concerning Lucy Drake and her
ideas concerning weddings in general
and his in particular.
Thursday was a hurricane OF wind
and rain and not n soul ventured 20
cross the long road that led to the
west side. Maria bad no near relatives
and so l assisted her to dress for her
wedding. 1t cleared a. six o'clock.
and we heard the wheels OF the car
riage grinding through the wet sand
to the gate. The ceremony was TO be
at half-past six and the reception was
TO be held after the return of the
captain and his bride from their honey
moon.
Il went over TO Lucy's. but the house
was all locked up, so I guess she has
gOne-but ] didn't hear any carriage
remarked Maria as we drove to the
church.
"She probably went on ahead-she
will be waiting for you in the vesti-
bule," said.
1t was so. Lucy. gorgeous in pink
silk with n pink tulle veil floating
above her wisps of fair hair. was in
the vestibule. and beside her was Or
vile Beers. avery short. fat. ruddy
visaged man. now dressed in extreme
nautical attire, although TO my own
knowledge he was plain farmer and
could not bear the thought OF salt
water.
People were gathered about Lucy
and Orville. and there was much chat
ting and buzzing. and 1t was not UNI
til drew nearer that realized what
had happened.
Lucy Drake had taken advantage OF
the early gathering of wedding guests
to be married to Orville Beers then
and there. That ceremony was over.
Lucy was married first after all, and
Tor her the wedding decorations had
served.
L congratulated the couple with as
good grace as my indignation would
allow and heard Maria quietly follow
ing suit. The people crowded back
into the church, and Orville Beers
tiptoed squcakily up the aisle to take
his place beside Captain Barnabas.
could see the captains handsome.
snow crowned head as he stood there