Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-15

Dor for two months, and. although u
small seaport is a dull place indeed
during the midwinter season, felt
longing to go down there in Decem-
Der and see how the cedar clothed
bluffs looked with a snowy overdress.
1 wanted to see the steely blue Of the
bay under gray December skies;
wanted to hear the harsh cry Of the
gulls as they wheeled over the water;
1 wanted to partake Of the delightful
duilness Of Ounce Harbor in winter.
Now, Captain Barnabas Fish, my
stanch friend and fellow fisherman,
companion of many delightful excur-
sions on and about Ounce Harbor,
had written me a most mysteriously
worded letter, In which he limited at
his engagement to Miss Maria Weeks,
with whom / had boarded when in
the seaport, and suggested that con-
versation with me would enlighten
him concerning several rather prob
lematical social questions.
Lord bless you, Miss Telham, was
Just wishing for you," cried Miss
Maria, running down the walk to meet
me. "You came in direct answer to
prayer"
I wondered whether it was not Cap
tain Barnabas' unspoken prayer that
had brought me, but 1 paid the stage
fare and followed Miss Maria, who
was staggering under the weight Of
my bags, into the warm house.
How is Lucy DrakeT was my first
tactless question, but was interested
In Lucy, who lived next door to the
Weeks house.
Miss Maria tossed her head as she
arose from placing my bags on the
floor. $50 far as know, Lucy's all
right" she replied rather tartly.
'Tn the last letter you wrote to me
you said that Lucy Drake was to be
your bridesmaid" observed as 1 re-
moved my outdoor garments with Ma
ria's help.
bridesmaid, indeed" she shifted
scornfully. 81 did ask her to be, and
glad enough she was to accept, never
having been so near the altar before in
her life-not that way, 1 mean-and 1
even offered to provide the gown for
her, pink silk with pink roses" Maria
loosened my hair and brushed vigor-
ously at the tangles. "Pink silk" she re-
peated. What do you think Of thatT'
at would have been lovely" l muir
INJURED, but tell me why she refused
to act as
"She didn't refuse. She accepted,
and the dress is all made and the bou-
Quet is ordered from smithville. The
captain saw to all that himself"
Tell me about it, Miss Maria.
shall never know until you do"
urged.
There isn't much to tell, only Lucy
has taken full charge of my wedding
and is bossing everything. Miss Tel
ham, she actually advised the captain
to wear one of his old yachting uni
forms and call 1t a marine wedding
She thought it would be something like
the military weddings she reads about
in the papers"
"And what does Captain Barnabas
sayT asked curiously.
81 thought he was kinder taken with
the idea at first, but now Lucy has
talked so much about 1t that he's tired
of it. He don't know what to veal
after all's said and done. Not beinl
married before and getting the ex
perience of having had wedding is 9
great drawback" She sighed as she
led the way downstairs.
at must be-" l murmured, wonder
ing what questions the doubtful cap
tain wished to put before me. "Ant
80 Lucy Drake will not be the brides
maid after all,'' said, disappointed a
this outcome.
"Oh, yes, she says she will, and
haven't got any objection so long a!
she don't trim up the church so 4
looks like the bottom of the ocean.
reckon she'd like to have clam she'll
all up the aisle and an orchestra o.
those little fiddler crabs, with seawee'
dripping all around. She even wanted
me to have my wedding dress trimmed
with dingle shells and seaweed."
Lucy certainly is romantic" I oh
served soothingly. do let me sc,
your wedding gown, Miss Maria, If 1
is ready"
Its all done: it's here in the spar
room" This spinster of forty-flv
years Internationally led the way t
the little bedroom that opened of tn
sitting room and prepared to show m
her simple trousseau.
The wedding dress was Of gray silk
pearly gray and almost stiff enough t
stand alone. 1t was made simply, bu
knew 1t would be becoming to Maria
who was plump and pink checked
with soft brown hair and dark eyes.
at is lovely" / said, kissing tn
bride to be on both pink cheeks
Don't fret about Lucy Drake. know
it's going to be the loveliest wedding
r you ever sawr'
I'm worried about it just the same
Miss Telham. / haven't told you al
there is to 1t. Lucy has been teasin
the captain to have Orville Beers 70
his best man. She's keeping compan
with Orville."
as the captain willing?"
mercy, no. Orville and him ain
spoke for twenty years. Seems he an
the captain were both after the sam
girl in the days / mean. and Orville &c
her OF course the captain got all owe
1t, only he's always been mad at Oh