The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-10-02
THE NEWS SHORT STORY

| Dearest now | think OF YOU.
| Are YOU thinking now or me
Swinging meath the apple trseY
She stood there looking half visit
! fully. half defantly, at Peter Lamb
! when there sounded steps on the foot
3 path beyond the thick screen of lilacs
/ that hedged the fence.
Hem Biddle's sailing around. What
do you make Of 1t. Anna?' The wom-
ans sharp voice was eagerly curious.
Another voice beyond the hedge an
swered Pretty doings, | say. to go
balooning the afternoon he's going 10
get married.
There amt many girls would wait
any longer for Hem Biddle. He's been
going with Amabel six years, and any
one can see that the child is tired TO
death of him and his frcakish ways.
But she's got grit. and she'll stick by
her promise.
lis what they said true?" he demand
ed holly.
Every word"
why do you stand it," he blurted
ont.
Il was quite fond of him, and prom
iSed. you know. and he is always so
sorry. | was wondering If we could
mother" She claspcd her hands and
looked apprehensively at the little roly
poly gray haired woman Fastening to-
ward the apple tree.
"Amabel Painer' cried the lady In "a
shocked tone. Here on your wedding
afternoon entertaining company. Oh,
how de do. Peter Lamb. did you say?
Little Peter Lamb. bless your heart!
The last time ! saw you you were in
knee pants and calico blouses. You'll
excuse Amabel, won't you? She's go
ing to be married at G:30. and It's after
> now. Come. Amabel"
She tucked her hand under the girls
arm and smiled. but 1t was plain that
she was shocked Mt the unconventional
behavior Of the bride to be. Have
YOU seen HEM" she asked quickly.
Amabel pointed upward where the bal
loon circled lazily against the blue sky.
Mrs. paine's eyes narrowed, and her
y
with tears in her eyes If he forgets
again | shall die of modification. |
can't stand it,
Amabels lips trembled in smile
that was near 10 tears.
Peter Lamb suddenly brought one
fist into the palm of his open hand.
Mrs Paine. if Hem Biddle isn't on
hand at 6::}0 the wedding can 90 on just
the same If you will listen to reason"
What do you mcan?" demanded the
puzzled lady
Peter Lamb explained volubly, and
Amabel added timid words OF consent.
IF Hem isn't here ut 60" said
Mrs. Paine. Peter. you can take his
place. Come. Amabely' And she bore
the blushing bride away down the
path TO the house.
1t was deiciously cool and pleasant
up there in the evening sky. Delicate
tints OF primrose and pale rose tlecked
the blue and silver sunset sky. Hem
Biddle, sunburned and frowsy with
disheveled hair leaned against the side
of the car and dreamily scanned the
green earth below.
Most of the afternoon had been spent
in lowering over the vicinity of the
Paine place, where certain white
speck in the garden represented ANA
bel. An uneas!ness had prevailed in
his mind the last hour. There was
some task unfulfilled. some promise he
had not kept. What was 1t? He
gazed dreamly at the sunset and COM
posed another poem
The balloon drifted little lower in
the unstirred air. There came the tin
Killing sound of church bells from be-
low. IL was Wednesday evening. He
glanced at the little calendar I'm the
cover OF his notebook as he closed II.
and his eyes bulged with horror.
1t was Wednesday. the 18th. and he
was to be married this evening to
Amabel.
For the third time he had forgotten
il. Twice Amabel had forgiven him.
But now.
He looked at his watch. It was half
past 6, the hour for the ceremony.
80 ''"'Nh '''i tut Cdl III III usOuv OF
rear. There was much activity about
the Paine place. Little groups Of peo-
pie dotted the lawn. some In white.
Those were women. and the dark ones
We're men. He guessed they were gaz-
ing up ut him, waiting for him. Poor
Amabel! He snatched at the rope
that released the gas. and the balloon
dropped earthward. Again he looked
over. and now he saw that the people
had streamed into the house. There
was a carriage before the gate!
At exactly o'clock the balloon land
ed In the middle of Ebenezer Paine's
cornfeld and destroyed about 100
stalks of priced corn.
Within the house Mr.. and Mrs. peter
Lamb were receiving congratulations
and answering the questions OF dazed
wedding guests. Mrs. Paine was ex-
planning matters to Hem Biddle's I'm.
iignant relatives and friends.
Ebenezer Paine. stifny CARRIED in bi,
Sunday clothes. creaked across the
lawn. through the orchard and into the
cornhsld. He frowned ut the broken
corn. and quizzical look came into
MS eyes when he saw Hem Biddle