The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-09-05

tricate stitches which she was taking
now. The long task, wrought with
love and exquisite p%ainstakins. was
And in a week she will wear it,"
thought Nancy. I'm a week she will
get her great happiness. Oh. I've
prayer and I wish for her. Even
though I cannot tell her and she
cannot know. she, may feel tho in.
fuence Of all those prayers and wish
es. I shall like. to feel that she
Is wrapped in them. when she puts on
her wedding gown" =. /.
"come. come. beautiful lady. to
Paradise" Mrs. Couse's voice
ceased and in the silence that follow
ed Nancy heard the sound Of q
horses feet ga1loping down the street.
Her heart told her that Miss Ten
Brock was coming. She rose with
the gown trailing from her hands as
the door burst open and Miss Ten
Nancy, but she locked taller in her
black riding habit: Her face was
s%tartlinsly' white. Her violet eyes
black with emotion. They, shot from
the satin in Nancy'ithands to Nancy's
face and fingered there. :
"oh. Nancy. Nancy" she said, THAT
fs not to. be my wedding dress after
all. I've found out. something. And
I've broken my engagement. I feared
all the time. but I thought that some-
how your-white saintliness-would
bring me the blessing. I craved. Oh. I
can't explain all I felt. It was az II I
was trying to hide behind a hedge Of
white roses from some evil, following
thing. She broke aft painting.
Nancy looked down at the dress.
Then you will not wear it after
ALL" she said. She flung it across a
hands. ~ S
Miss Ten Brock came close.
"No. I shan't wear ~" me ..,a
I'm escaping a good deal by not
wearing 1t. I'm going to Europe. I
cave Summit house today. Keen
the dress. dear Nancy. Some day
you may want to YEA It yourself.
And now goodby." $1,000
She drew Nancy close ana kissed
ner. There came a ring Of gold az
she was gone. And there was only
the distance.
Love. love. beautiful lady, in nv
heart sings" Mrs. :couse was again
singing. Nancy lifted her head. She
felt dazed. faint. There was- The
dress. There she was. And on the
other side Of the wall was Mrs. u
Yet all was changed. Her beautiful
lady was gone. There was to b. no
wedding. Her labor OF love had been
IN vain: She put out her hand and
n white satin. The life
was like a dead thing. She shiyered
n sank into a chair. At her feet
was h big gold piece Miss Ten
Broeck a tried to put Into her hand.
1t seemed the n real thing in the
midst Of her unhappy visions. And
seeing II she burst into sobs.
Glide glide beautiful lady. on thy
bright wings--" 80.
The voice came nearer and Mrs.
Couse's knuckles assailed the door.
Then. quite unabashed. Mrs. couse
entered. She was big ana red and
Jolly and she was buttoned into her
olue dress as tightly. and Just about
artistically. as a pudding in a bag.
We'll. Nancy Ferry" she exclaim-
ed. whats a-troublin' We? who.
made We cry? And you with a letter
from your own sweetheart right here
In me hand where the postman nut II
not a minute since!"
She dropped the letter among the
sA@A6o III N2uCy D Cd0lo 4NQ
went out still singing:
My heart. beautiful. lady. to your
heart ftes--"
Nancy reached forth 4 ~listless. hand
for the letter which. she knew con.
tanned h Srocer's .bilh which she had
been expecting apprehensively for
days. It was no bill she drew
forth. but q letter. few lines scrawl.
ed In q mans hand.
Nancy" she read. II. learn you are
It'll in Westmore and unmarried. I
nm coming to see you-if It Is not
loo late. There's money enough now
% make you comfortable and some
thing more-my love. I know now
I must have loved you all the time,
Tor. though I forsook you I did not
Forget you. Can you forgive me,
dear? And will you let me try to
prove to you how sacredly my heart
has held your memory ali these
vears?" Il
Nancy lifted her eyes from the let
Ter and they fell on the white satin
gown. She drew a deep breath. Then
tho smiled. For the welding dress
to stir with ZONE secret pulse 1
like a thing coming back to life. It
seemed to invite and beckon ana urge. |
0RA1-- l