Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-10-02


when there sounded steps on the foot
path beyond the thick screen of lilacs
that hedged the fence.
Hem Biddle's sailing around. What
do you make of it, Anna?' The wom-
ans sharp voice was eagerly curious.
Another voice beyond the hedge an
swered. Pretty doings, say, to go
ballooning the afternoon he's going to
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 freakish ways.
But she's got grit. and she'll stick by
her promise.
"Is what they said true?' he demand
ed holly.
Every word
why do you stand it?" he blurted
out.
II was quite fond of him, and prom
ised, you know, and he is always so
sorry. l was wondering If we could
signal to him now All. here comes
motherw She clasped her hands and
looked apprehensively at the little roly
poly gray haired woman Fastening to-
ward the apple tree.
"Amabel Paine." 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 l saw you you We're in
knee pants and calico blouses. You'll
excuse Amaiel. won't you? She's go
ing to be married at $50. and it's after
now. Come. Amabel.'
She tucked her hand under the girls
arm and smiled, but it was plain that
she was shocked at the unconventional
behavior of the bride to be. Have
you seen Hemp she asked quickly.
Amabel pointed upward where the bal.
loon circled lazily against the blue sky.
Mrs. Paine's eyes narrowed, and her
face flushed. "Amabelv' she cried.
with tears in her eyes. "If he forgets
again l shall die Of modification. I
can't stand it."
Amabel's lips trembled in smile
that was near to tears.
Peter Lamb suddenly brought one
fist into the palm of his open hand.
Mrs. Paine. if Hem Biddle isn't on
hand at 6:3O the wedding can go on just
the same if you will listen to reason
what do you mean?" demanded the
puzzled lady.
| Peter Lamb explained volubly. and
,, Amabel added timid words of consent.
IF Hem isn't here at $780," 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 deliciously cool and pleasant
up there in the evening sky. Delicate
the blue and silver sunset sky. Hem
| Biddle. sunburned and frowsy with
disheveled hair, leaned against the side
+ ofSthe 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 a certain white
speck in the garden represented ANA
i bel An uneasiness had prevailed in
his mind the last hour. There was
some task unfulfilled, some promise he
had not kept. What was it? He
| gazed dreamily at the sunset and COM
posed another poem.
| The balloon drifted little lower in
! the unstirred air. There came the tin
king sound Of church bells from be-
low. 1t was Wednesday evening. He
glanced at the little calendar in the
cover Of his notebook as he closed it,
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
! it. Twice Amabel had forgiven him.
But now!
! He looked at his watch. 1t was half
! past 6, the hour for the ceremony.
He leaned over the car in an agony Of
| fear. There was much activity about
the Paine place. Little groups of peo-
| pie dotted the lawn. some In white.
Those We're women. and the dark ones
were men. He guessed they were gaz-
ing up at 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 carriage before the gate!
1 At exactly Z O'clock the balloon land
ed in the middle of Ebenezer Paine's
cornfield 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 in
dignant relatives and friends.
Ebenezer Paine. stiff1y garbed in his
Sunday clothes, creaked across the
lawn, through the orchard and into the
| cOrpfiold Ho froyupad nj tho y,ro,r,,,