Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-09

the house, waiting for the arrival n,
the ommand. Having nothing IN 40
he sat during the day on the yeranda
entertained either by Mrs. Rutlidre ~
her daughter. usually by the dauph+sr
for the mother took upon herself the
preparations for the approaching wed.
ding.
One day while Garland and M,ss
Rutlidge sat on the vera nda a man
rode up on horseback AID handed ths
latter letter. She tore it open ans
read IL hastily. Then she arose ana
went into the house. Garland comb
hear her talking with her mother. bu,
not what was said. Mrs. RutIidge was
evidently much excited, not to say
angry The young lady did not an.
pear again on the veranda, but sent
note by a negro to the messenger who
was waiting without
Garland did not see either Of the
ladies again till supper time. and then
only the mother. She sat With q
stormy brow till the meal was ended
not speaking a word. then revealed the
cause of her irritation. The wedding
for which she had been waiting for
weeks. months even in some respectS
was indefinitely postponed. The bride
groom wrote that owing to the az
proach of the Federal army his affairs
were in a depIorable condition and he
must remain on his plantation to take
care Of them. But this is not the real
reason" added the lady-"at any rate.
Gently that widow has been setting
her cap for my daughters flance, and
we suspect that she has captured
him.
Communications had been kept VI
between Captain Garland and the
army to which he belonged. He had
written a brother aid-de-camp Of the
approaching wedding, that he had Of
fered music for the occasion and that
he hoped the command would reach
NJ. in ample time for him to redeem his
promise. The matter had been talked
over at the mess table in presence Of
the general, who eyinced an interest In
it, saying that Garland's offer must be
made good and If the command did
NOT III llLAc AOI luC nCQuAn5
half a dozen musicians should 60 any
way.
But one night an order came from
the department commander to move
the next morning at daylight. When
the sun rose every regiment and bat
terry was In the road ready to move,
and the order Forward was given.
1t so happened that General Hassett
reached NJ on the day before the
wedding was to have taken place.
Garland was sitting on the veranda
with Mrs and Miss Rutlidge when be
heard a gathering of horses hoofs
and the general with staff and escort
came down before the captain could
vacate. Seeing his aid. the general
rode up TO the house, dismounted and
tramped to the jingling of spurs and
rafting of side arms to where the
three sat.
Happy to meet you, ladies'" he said,
removing his forage cap and bowling
low. Il presume this young lady is
the bride TO be. Captain. was about
to send the music when the order
came 10 move.
All this, of course, was very embar-
RAISING. Mrs. Rutlidge, thinking it
better to have the changed conditions
known and over with. spoke up:
General. there is to be no wedding.
"No wedding. Why not:'
There is no bridegroom"
but there IS bride.
Yes; there is bride. but her fancc
has deserted her for another.
The general looked sympatheucaly
at Miss Rutlidge.
There shall be a wedding, said tue
general decidedly. Il command here
and since the preparations are mace
and the music provided the wedding
shall take place"
All looked astounded at this, ana tn'
general proceeded:
Captain Garland. hold yourself ID
readiness TO act as bridegroom on TINS
occasion. When was the marriage 10
have taken place."
Tomorrow at noon" replled tue
captain. a smile breaking over his race
VERY well. You will report here u
person tomorrow at IL O'Clock for dui!
i mean
You're not going 70 force me on 'ne
bride. are you. general:" asked Car
land. =,
The bride. oh. l forgot that "
course not. All is subject to the WI"
of the bride"
Now. if there were not cases ~
which love acts like lightning I'VE
story would have a very abrupt anu
unnatural ending. The little goa nas
begun his work at the first meeting
Captain Garland and Miss Rutiuts
and had been galloping on ever SINS.
Garland looked at the young lazy, a"'
the young lady looked at GaFi"nu
And these looks were mute proPoS"'
and acceptance.
The next day the wedding TOOK pia'.'
the band playing both the star span'
Cled Banner" and Dixie Ana ths
is how one southern girl was brous'
north as a wife by Federal army,