Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-15
The Argus Daily Story
Lucy brakes Duphcity-By Clarissa Mackie
Copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau

the foolish romantic notions Of Lucy
Drake was equally sincere. was
vexed at Lucy for intruding her no
tons in the midst of Maria's 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, 1t was decided to hold the GER
emory 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 SIZE was
trimming over with hunH8ed sugges-
tons 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 then?"
Maria's eyes seemed to be relieved.
wondered if she did not harbor a small
jealousy Of Lucy Drake.
"Yes-look" Lucy held out a thin
scraggy hand and displayed on the
third finger of her left hand a large
amethyst ring. "It belonged to his first
wife," she murmured sentimentally.
"Tll help you get up 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
heel, walked out.
what did she meanw I asked.
Maria shrugged her plump shoulders.
at 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 vet
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 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 a 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 at six O'clock.
and we heard the wheels of the car
rage grinding through the wet sand
to the gate. The ceremony was to be
i at half-past six and the reception was
to be held after the return of the
captain and his bride from their honey
moon.
81 went over to Lucy's, but 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 vesti-
bule," said.
1t was so. Lucy, gorgeous In pink
silk with a pink tulle veil floating
above her wisps Of fair hair, was In
the vestibule, and beside her was Or
Vile Beers, very short, fat, 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 salt
water.
People were gathered about Lucy
and Orville, and there was much chat
ting and buzzing. and 1t was not IN
til l drew nearer that I 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
for her the wedding decorations had
served.
| congratulated the couple with az
good grace as my indignation would
allow and heard Maria quietly follow
ing suit. The people crowded back
into the church, and Orville Beers
tlptoed squeakily up the aisle to take
his place beside Captain Barnabas.
could see the captains handsome.
snow crowned head as he stood there
waiting for his bride. His face was
quite pale. but he was looking down
the aisle toward Maria, who was ap-
preaching him. She was walking
alone, with her eyes confidently meet
ing his. Behind Maria minced Lucy
Beers. shallow smile wreathing her
face.
AS ! looked at the two who had
been cheated out of their wedding by
Lucy's sensational act l realized that
they were quite Indifferent to that.
All that the captain saw was Maria's
faithful DARK eyes coming to him; all
that the bride saw was the lovelight
In her captains eyes.