The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-02
THE EVENING STORY
The Substitute Wedding.

at Sandeen, tall young fellow swuns
down. the steps of the smoking caI
and stood on the platform eagerly
awaiting the other passengers. Three
times he was doomed to disappoint-
ment then a slender, brown eyed girl
alighted.
Anne Martin, by all that's lucky
ne exclaimed. Somehow, it never
entered my head till the train stoppe
here that you might have gotten on ut
Yes, have been wondering if you
were to be in the wedding party she
replied as they shook hands.
Roger has drafted me in for best
man." Calvert laughed.
Il am to be maid of honor. Lucy
made me promise years ago to serve
in that capacity when her time came"
This takes me back to the old
days when we used to visit in San
deem at the same time with cur
mutual cousin Lucy. Though Nj.
Martin was your own uncle and Mrs.
Martin my aunt, We never could fg-
ure out our exact relationship to ea=h
other"
II believe we decided we were
cousins-in-law," Anne laughing1y de-
Meanwhile each was noting TIE
changes which five years had
wrought in the other. Anne thought
he seemed very different from the
Allen Calvert she had known in his
western ranch had bronzed a1o
broadened him, but the real differ
ence lay deeper. On his part ae
thought Anne had changed outwardiy
very little since her college days.
At that moment their attention
was arrested by gay voice saying:
ooh, you wedding guestsi To think
you are next of KIM" Quickly thev
looked up and saw Elma Patten, their
Cousin Lucys chum, seated in a smart,
shining trap.
1--WE were trying to recognize each
other" explained Calvert as they
started toward her.
you'll have chance for that
later" answered Miss Patten. Mrs.
Martin is a perfect dear about in
viting the wedding party to stay on
after the wedding. Sis and I are TO
be bridesmaids, and so come IN on
the house party.
Calvert attended to the baggage,
and in a few minutes the three weTe
driving the yellow daisy nordered
lanes through the october twilight,
As they approached the gate of the
Martin country home, a little fro%n
of perplexity creased Elma's brow.
"How strange!" she exclaimed. 81
thought the bunch would be down to
bridesmaids with Ed Post and the
Dixon boys, who are to be ushers,
have arrived already.
AS they drove up, an unwont"5
air OF STIFFNESS anu SlOOAA POA '~-N-
the place.
''It seems more like a funeral than
a wedding" declared Anne with :;
little SILVER, as she noted the draw
curtains in her aunts room Al ona ls
moment Elma's sister Beth, her eyes
red with crying, came out on the
porch to meet them
II was watching for you. put
missed you somehow, she cf1eo
IT meant to meet you before you
reached the house and explain. On
it's Dreadful
"out with it, Beth" said Calvert.
with the freedom of long acqua1nt-
ance.
''The bride and groom have eloped
before the hour set for the wedding"
she announced tragically.
"E1oped!" cried Anne In amaze
ment.
"o1d Roger has certainly stolen a
march on u.s." declared Calvert.
EIma sat down on the porch rail-
ing and laughed. 81 guess the poor
dears felt as If they had been show
cred to death. You know how re-
served Roger is, and how he hates
social functions? Well, you never
saw the like of the luncheons and i
showers that have been given for
them Then to Beth. But tell US
s'There sren't many to tell. Short
w after you left to meet the train,
messenger boy came with a telegram
for Mrs. Martin from Lucy. 1t seems
after they came from seeing the dec
,rations at the church they went pre-
sumedIy for an auto ride, but in real
ty motored over to GlaSton, ten
niles away. There they were quietly
married by a young minister who was
L college mate of Rogers, and left on
5aT0 in or
81 guess that f1ower-banked church
vas the last straw to Roger He felt
Is If he could never go through with
hat formal wedding tomorrow,
aughed Elma.
Calvert's face sobered. 1T don't
blame the contracting parties; but
It's tough on Aunt Jennie. They ought
% have had more consideration for
ler.''
Then the door opened and the
,ther young people came out, and
here ensued a babble of excited ex-
,lanations Suddenly a hush fell on
he little group, as Mrs. Martin came
downstairs to greet her nephew and {
niece.
Il never realized what a real trump i
Aunt Jennie was till 1 saw the we'll
red way in which she met that try 6
ng situation Calvert said to Anne
ater in the evening II
Yes, she was wonderful. for one :
an see that she really cares dread
ully to have Lucy marry in that
brupt way" Anne glanced around | y
he large, handsomely appointed I
DOM with it's masses of yellow and
Thite chrysanthemums which were to |
ave been the brides co1ors. ct I
vonder how Lucy could have left such
lovely home and mother so 7
she unused, as she con-
rasted it all with the hall bedroom
he called home.
But there was little chance for pen /
inir hui i