Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-02-20

ness the marriage Of two such popular
persons, 1t was decided to hold the cer-
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 darted
in and out Of the house her thin cheeks
pink with excitement her straight fair
hair flying wildly about. She was
brimming over with hundred sugges.
tions to enhance the novelty OF the oc.
casion.
"You'll only be married once. Maria"
she urged.
II 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 1t thenT
Maria's eyes seemed to be relieved. !
wondered II she did not harbor small
jealousy Of Lucy Drake.
"Yes-lookw Lucy held out thin
scraggy hand aud displayed OH the
third finger Of her left hand a large
amethyst ring 1T belonged to his first
Wife" she murmured sentimentally.
"Tll help you get up biz wedding.
Lucy" said Maria generously.
Lucy gave her queer look. You
can remember what you said after
ward" she said and turning on her
heel, walked out.
"What did she mean?" ! asked.
Maria shrugged her plump shoulders.
81 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.
ried before was and she would yet
Il can't see how she's going to man.
age It."
Captain Fish asked my advice about
the wedding garments he must wear
and 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 10 general
and his In particular.
Thursday was hurricane OF wind
and rain and not n soul ventured to
cross the long road that led to the
west side. Maria had no near relatives
and SO assisted her to dress for her
wedding 1t cleared II: six o'clork.
and We heard the wheel, of the car.
riage grinding through the wet sand
to the gate. The ceremony was to lie
at half-past six and the reception WAS
to be held after the return OF the
captain and his bride from their honey
moon.
II went over to Lucy's. hut the house
was all locked up. so 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 veSii'
bule," said.
1t was 80. Lucy, gorgeous In pink
silk with a pink tulle veil floating
above her wlsps Of fair hair. was In
the vestlbule. and beside her was Or
vile Beers. very short. fnt. ruddy
visaged man. now dressed In extreme
nautical attire, although to my own
knowledge he was a plain farmer and
could not bear the thought of sail
water.
People were gathered about Lucy
and Orville. and there was much chat
ting and buzzing. and It was not I'M
til l drew nearer that I realized what
had happened.
Lucy Drake had taken advantage %.
the early gathering Of wedding guests
to be married to Orvile Beers then
and there. That ceremony was over
Lucy was married first after all, AID
for her the wedding decorations had
served
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 squeakily up the aisle to take
his place beside Captain Barnabas. ]
could see the captains handsome
snow crowned head Us he stood there
waiting for his bride. His face was
quite pale. but he was looking down.
the aisle toward Maria. who was mp
preaching him. She was walking
alone, with her eyes confidently meet
Ing his. Behind Maria minced Lucy
Beers. a shallow smile wreathing het
face.
As looked at the two who had
been cheated out Of their wedding by
Lucy's sensational act realized that
they were quite Indifferent to that.
All that the captain saw was Maria's
faithful dark eyes cOmiLg to him: nil
that the bride saw was the Iovelight
ip her captains eyes.