El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-04-10
Too Late
A short story.

LIEN GREYMORE rested lazlly IN
- a rocking chair on a shady piazza
- at Newport. Now and then she
threw a piece of candy to her pet dog
on a chair by her side
"Auntie," she cried to an elderly lazy
in the adjoining room, 1t is O'Clock
now, and Fred promised me he would
surely be here at 3"
You will have plenty OF oppOrtuni-
ties to become annoyed at Freds lack
of punctuality. dear" replied the old
lady IF your parents had been alive
they would have opposed your mar
rage to that man. Those Brookdales
are mere nObOdies in society and nave
no money to speak Of And then they
are thoroughly unreliable on VIZ
never be able to get used TO tnelf
ways"
perhaps YOU are right" said Ellen,
looking down the road toward the RAN
road station. but we love each other.
and after all, that is the only thing
that matters. Besides, it is too late TO
Worry about anything the day before
the wedding. Here he is at last
She ran down the steps to meet her
fiance.
Good afternoon. darling" he said,
jumping out OF the carriage. He was
dressed according 10 the latest fashion,
perhaps q little too fashionable to
agree with good taste.
y OF must forgive me. CARING IDL
beinE late again. ne continued
This time IL really was not my
fault. If YOU don't mind shall pay
my respects to Aunt Kate, and then we
VIII have all the afternoon TO our
selves"
They had now reached the house.
Fred BrOOkdale greeted Aunt Kate,
who scOlded him for being late
You are wasting your efforts.
auntie.' said Ellen with a smile. Fred
went mend his ways until after he IS
married Then turning to her fiance:
she said: Now sit down here and tell
me what YOU have been doing since
you were here last"
Well" replied Fred. yesterday I
dined q DelmOnicO's- And whom do
You think 7 metz George Trevor. He
had just arrived on the Lusitania from
Liverpool and did not know anything
abOut. our enga cement. as he has been
travelling abroad fOr a whole year. OF
course he was greatly surprised
invited him to our wedding tomorrow
/ wonder what 10 was that made him
rush away all OF sudden last year.
without even saying goodbye to his
best friends
There must have been some import
ant reason said Ellen. richer emnar-
raised. though ncr fiance did not no
tiCe it. And so they talked till Fred
took his leave Ellen followed him to
the gate
Vow. Fred she said. you promise
80 not 10 b. back later than I o'clock
tomorrow 7 do not know what
laIe l- DO If I nave 70 wait for YOU on
our wed1ng DAY You won't disaD-
pom me. viii yOu2'
Not for anything in the world dar-
ling. ] VIII give you my word 7 VIII
be here at one replied her fiance-
Tt was nearly one In her maguifi-
cent wedding gown. with 4 wreath OF
orange blossoms on her golden hair.
while Aunt Kate made the last prep
CITATIONS 10 receive the guests a car
rage drove up The minister arrived
Ellen looked tcrouZ1 the window
down tEo road. but there was no sign
OF Fred She threw herself into a
chair and her eyes filled with tears Of
1T was lust n year since she refused
George Trevor. She bad felt 50 sure
he would propose second time. and
when he had left her without another
perienced the first real sorrow in her
life. And still
Ellen from her rcTerie- Carriage after
carriage arrived and the house was fun
OF guests
The unhappy bride was on tEe verge
Fred, Fred.' she moaned. Tow
could You DO this2"
Good Lord cried Aunt Kate. rush
ing IN. is he never going TO Gomez
For Gods sake. what has happened.
Elem What has become OF Fred?
He has not returned from Boston
And no message from him."
NO. aUntie, dear. But leave me
alone Go down to the guests
As YOU will my dear child"
The minutes passed while Ellen
struggled with her pride. Suddenly
she grew very calm. She sat down at
her desk and wrote a few lines in a
firm hand. put the letter into an en-
VelOpe and rang for her maid
Give this letter TO M. Trevor. Annie 7
He viii come back here with YOU"
few minutes later door opened
and a tail. slender, sun-burned man en-
tered He bowed to Ellen, who blush
lngly came toward him.
You sent for me. Miss Greymore2 %
7 want TO ask YOU a question. Mr..
Trevor Are You still Of the same mind
as year agO2 Or have you entirely
forgotten the Ellen, who loved no man
but your
No. Ellen. have not forgotten you.
But do not understand: why do Won
ask me this question nOw2''
DO not make it any harder for me
George VIII you be the bridegroom
today, instead Of Fred BrOokdaIe. who
has exposed me to ridiculeT'
Darling, you make me the happiest
man IN the world! I love YOU better
than my life he said and took her in
his arms.
Together they entered the dining
room among the surprised guests.
The minister had barely finished the
ceremony, when a carriage came gall
looping up before the gate and Fred
Brookdale rushed up the steps-too