The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-07-28
A Real Lottery
Of Marriage
By MARY 7. BRYCE

Foreign countries, especially among
princes. IL, however, | had left the
matter TO my parents both Of them
would have died leaving me an old
maid
And being an old maid was a horror
to me. | wished to be wife, the moth
or OF children. the feminine head of a
home. My trouble was TO make Sc
lection of the man to be the masculine
head. This may sound amiss, but the
truth is there were several men who
had proposed to me. They were oil
good men. but | dared not risk matri-
mony with any of them.
IL know what's the matter with you,"
said my friend, Mrs. Seamon. "You
have never met man of your own
caliber-one who. the moment you saw
him. you would wish to possess"
1T wouldn't make any difference"
replied. IL would not marry him. The
only way for me to- marry Is not to
know who the bridegroom Is to be and
be married In the dark. Once tied |
would have to get used to 1t. I sup
pose"
II am not sure but you are right.
know such man as ] have described
to you. You might be married to him.
Just as you say, In the dark without
ever having seen him. He has never
seen you and was only yesterday max
ing the same plaint you have made"
To make long story short. | be-
90 Inh
knowing only his name and what Mrs.
Seamon had said about him. We were
to be married In dark room with not
ray of light I'm Ii. AS soon as the
knot was tied the lights (electric) were
to be all turned on Mt once. and after
few moments conversation we and q
few relatives who would be present
were to adjourn to another room and
partake of wedding breakfast. Then
we were to part. not to come together
again until mutually agreed. 1t might
be month. a year or never.
Had | been about to marry man l
knew and was to live with him from
the day of our marriage | should have
during the engagement been on the
border OF nervous collapse. especially
on standing up to be married. AS 1t
was, it seemed to me that | was wait
ing to make n trip or sign n deed to
piece Of property or something like
that And when I went into that dark
room and my father led me to the spot
where | was to be married I was per-
fectly Indifferent as to what ] was
about to do
Perhaps this does not correctly ex-
press my feelings. | felt pleasure
akin to gambling. was like one who
expects to draw prize or a blank.
How I did hope I would draw prize!
And. II should draw blank. what
then? Simply this: II I didn't fancy
him would not live with him. The
advantage In the plan was that there
was something strong enough to bind
us together till we might begin weld
ing process.
Having been put In position. the cler-
gyman began the services. At that
part where he placed my hand In that
Of the groom knew that ! should like
him. How? There Is something In the
clasp Of hand that draws us to an
other or repels us. felt that the hand
clasping mine was a hand Of vigor and
tenderness combined. and the moment
i clasped II felt current passing
through II and up my arm. distributing
itself through my being.
From that moment | was so absorb
81 h,t
and the clergyman was obliged to wait
till ! had done so before proceeding.
When the end came and heard the
words IMAM and wife" pronounced /
was In delirium of anxiety. For the
first time | dreaded disappointment.
but had no time to indulge my emo
tons. In an instant every light was
turned on Mt once. l turned and look
ed up into a handsome. manly. kindly
face that looked down upon mine with
an encouraging smile. A clapplng of
hands sounded In my ears. but since
my whole being was engrossed in what
believed to be a prize had drawn
In the lottery Of marriage II seemed to
me in some faraway theater.
MY husband offered me his arm, and
we led the little procession of attend
ants to the adjoising room. where the
breakfast was served. Ii had been
agreed that there should be no con
CALCULATIONS. since they might be pain
full. But we were no sooner seated at
the table than some one proposed
toast to "the first and second prize.
the former drawn by the groom. the
latter by the bride" tried not to
show my relief and happiness. but In
spite Of all my efforts continual;
smile lowered on my lips and a blush
burned In my cheek at every happy
word spoken to me.
Our breakfast lasted till early after
noon. when one by one the others
withdrew. and presently we found our
selves alone. My husband rose.
The contract. | believe" he said.
calls for parting Immediately after
the breakfast"
Immediately ! said. looking l
know not where to avoid his gaze
F.. II leave you to name the exact
time"
Then let 10 be later We will VISIT
awhile in the drawing room"
The only part OF the contract that
was not carried out was the parting.
I do not recommend the plan OF nv