Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-08-12

/
man and be married. She had confld-
ed her intention to bosom friend Of
hers, Bessie Angel, and desired that
she be present at the ceremony. She
claimed that there should be witnesses,
30 asked my friend Arnold Brown to
be OF the party. These two were to
meet us at the parsonage.
Lillian was trembling when she en-
tered the car. On the way she said
nothing to me, and when spoke 10
her she replied by monosyllables.
realized that she was not in a condi-
ton Of sufficient yequanimity to take
the most important step In woman's
life.
There is yet time" I said. ito re-
treat from this STEP
"No," she replied family. IT am
going through with It"
was half minded to stop the mat
ter where it was, but when we are
half minded we are as liable to decide
wrong as right drove on to the par
sonage and pulled up before the door.
go in." she said, "and see If they
are all there; then come back for me-"
Hadn't you better go in with mer'
asked.
mo; I won't be married without
Bess."
Always persuaded to what did not
approve Of, / went to the front door,
rang the bell and was admitted. I
fon1n1 Ao-
but no Bessie Angel. Stepping to the
telephone. l called up her home and
asked for her She came to the tele-
phone. and l asked her why she was
not at the parsonage. She replied that
she had not been certain from what
Lillian had said to her when they had
last met whether the wedding would
come of or not. To this expressed
surprise. After dialogue, very unsat-
isfactory to me, 1t was agreed that she
should hold the wire while went out
to Lillian, and If returned with a re-
quest from her friend to come to the
parsonage she would come at once
Setting down the receiver, ran out to
the car.
It was where l had left it, but no
| Lillian.
Ny heart went down like lead. I
looked in every direction, though not
expecting to see her. Flight was a fit
| ting climax to the vacillation she had
shown. I stood on the steps, wonder
ing what to do.
When we are In a hole we naturally
turn to something or some one to pull
US out. l thought of Agnes Anterior.
My own judgment had been led so far
astray by Lillian that could not at
once get it in working order. I didn't
| know what to do about Arnold Brown.
I shrank from telling him had been
left in the lurch by one l was about to
make my life partner. Returning to
him, said:
ARNOLD. there is hitch; wait here
till straighten it out"
He saw that l was fiurried and told
me to go slow; he would wait for me
there till the crack Of doom. Hurrying
out, drove to Agnes home, and fortu-
nately found her there
told her the whole story.
had thrown myself on a sofa, and
she sat down beside me, taking my
hand In hers soothingty.
| ut seems to me-" she said, "that
there is nothing for you to do but tell
the truth to your friend, Mr.. Brown,
and that will end the matter"
II dare say you're right, but would
rather do six months term In state
| kk.~ - 49,
been such fool
stopped short, and for q few mo-
ments there was silence between US, at
the end of which Agnes asked:
HAS Mr.. Brown ever seem
LILLIAN? No"
I'm tell you what III do for you.
You seem all cut up, and I would like
TO help you out My law Of action Is
the intent I will go with you to the
parsonage, marry You, and we will
have the marriage annulled at our
leisure"
Never in 80 short a space Of time
was a revelation made to any human
being Here was a woman, worthy Of
the devotion of the best man living,
WHOM uau tuIueu uUWu 1OE Luo
weakest. 1t all came upon me with
sledgehammer force. Clasping Agnes
In my arms, said:
ut will never be annulled with my
consent"
Fastening to a phone called up the
parsonage, got Arnold and said:
1.-THE tapgle Is unraveled. I and the
bride Will be with you presently"
In less than half an hour Agnes and
were in the parsonage. I introduced
her to Brown; then the clergyman was
called from his study and performed
the wedding ceremony, neither he nor
the single witness suspecting that In
twinkling there had been change In
the bride.
After the ceremony there were still
several hours before the end of the
day, and drove my wife into the
country. What passed between us
could not be condensed within q few