The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-05-27

single movement of his body at that
moment, a groan of pain, a sob, cry
of agony in n supreme act of his will,
cause the white figure to reel and fall
at his feet? 1t was possible. But it
would be too cheap. 1t would be a
worthless victory, victory of the flesh
without the spirit, and he refused to
take the body without the soul.
With frown he turned to Bivens:
"It's no use talking, Cal, I've made
up my mind. 1 won't do it"
"Well, if you won't you won't" the
little man said with a sigh. "At least
you'll come to the church. For Gods
sake, let me get glimpse of one friend
ly face! I'll be scared to death. You
know. I'm not used to this"
Stuart smiled:
"All right, I'll be there"
But when the fateful morning came
Stuart was stunned by the feeling of
Incredible despair which crept into his
heart The day was chill and damp.
Dull, grayish, half black clouds rolled
over the city from the sea-clouds that
hung low and wet over the cold pave
ments without breaking into rain.
He knew that Nan was as supersti-
tious as the old black nanny Of the
south who had nursed her. Aunt Sal
lie had come to New York for the we'd
ding of her "baby." Stuart thought of
the old saying, "Happy is the bride the
sun shines on" AS the hour of noon
approached despair slowly settled over
his heart.
How could he reconcile himself to
the horrible reality? A marriage sor-
did, cold, vulgar to such a man-this
little tobacco stained, bead eyed wea-
sci.
He rose, breathing hard and brushed
tear from his eye-a tear that had
come unbidden in spite Of his iron
will.
His heart fairly shrieked its cry of
despair He moved mechanically to-
ward the church and walked from his
reverie to find himself jammed In a
solid mass Of humanity. Never before
had he realized the utter vulgarity of
a public wedding. He forced his way
into the side door and stood waiting
the arrival of the bride and groom
When Bivens came the sight of him
reused the slumbering devil IN Stuart
The excitement of his triumph had
evidently Steadied the little mans
nerves. Never had his shrtmphke fig
ure looked so slippery and plausible.
He extended his slender hand and
touched Stuart's in passing. To save
his life the lawyer could not repress a
shudder. In that moment he could
have committed murder with Joy. The
agony of defeat was on him. He felt
in that moment his kinship with eli the
rebels and disinherited of the earth.
At last the bride came and the Sun
pliced choir moved slowly and solemn
ly down the aisles through a sea of
eager faces as the great organ pealed
forth the first bars Of the wedding
march from "Lohengrfn."
Nan was leaning on tho arm OF
stranger he had never seen before, an
uncle from the west She was pale,
deathly pale, and walked with a hesi-
tattng movement as though weak from
illness. Suddenly his heart went out
to her in a flood of pity and tenderness.
He tried to make her feel this, but she
passed without a glance. She had not
seen him.
Stuart listened to the ceremony with
a vague impersonal interest as if it
were something going on in another
world. A single question was burning
itself into his brain-the price Of
woman! "Have we all our pricer' he
asked, searching deep into his own
soul. Something pathetic In the white
face Of the bride had touched the deep
est sources of his being.
"Hare I, too, my price, Oh, boastful
soulr' he cried. would 1 sell my
honor for a million! No. For ten,
fifty, a hundred millions? No-nOt in
the market place, no-but would sell
by compromise of principle in the
secret conclave Of my party-at a sale
the world could never knOw-would /
sell for the presidency of the republic?
Or would I sell now to win this wom-
an? Would II If 80, should hold
her blameless. Have all men and all
women a price If we but name 1t?
Answer! Answerr' And then from
the depths Of his being came the burn
ing worisS
mol swear It, Nor
He hooked up with a start, wonder
ing vaguely If the crowd had heard
this cry.
Ros they were intent on the drama
at the altar The minister was say
ings
''WhaA God hath Joined togsther let
not man put asunder."