The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1915-05-14
"Why. Of course she replied.

You needn't give IL another thought.
| We shall have q home wedding and all
| the usual fuss. and the family will all
be there. aud II will do great deal for
your work. You needn't give 1t a
thought" and she put the list of ladies
IN the leather hand bag she was carry
ing. "You haven't got the time to look
after so unimportant matter. I am
going TO take the burden of all such
things off your shoulders.
"All what things?" asked Garwood.
why. -wedding-I mean-you
look after the parades and the play
grounds. and | will arrange this.
consider it my affair" And, standing
on her tiptoes, she kissed him.
After bre;n,'fast the day after the
Invitations RI all been mailed Mrs.
Halbert penetrated her mothers apart
ments and broke the news. There was
a fearful scene-not unexpected-and
bitter things were said of the absent
GarwoOd. He was accused Of money
hunting, of social ambitions, of hyp-
motto power. Of all sorts Of blackguard-
ism.
HE has not even called at the
house."
"You have never invited him." said
Mrs. Halbert. You have been ex-
ceedingly rude. but he will forgive you.
The invitations are out; there will be
no bridal bouquet and just the sim
plest breakfast"
For the three days preceding the day
set for the wedding Mrs. Gilroy stayed
In her room with an attack Of nerves
But when the hour arrived she dress
ed and came downstairs and pressed
the hand of the bishop. 1t was a silent
appeal for sympathy, and in plaintive
voice she begged her husband not to
make q scene.
1t Is due him to say that he behaved
with extraordinary self control. He
had worked off some Of his emotion
by abusing his valet as he donned his
wedding garments.
The rooms were iavishly decorated.
Zenaide had insisted upon 1t.
Madam may never be married
again." she had said.
Mrs Halbert was quite ready. Her
mothers eye rested upon her in dis
approval.
You might at least, my dear, show
some respect for us in details. even If
you are quite willing to wreck our
lives-that gown is year old, and
every one has seen you wear it,
hos Irc ToIh
And where is he, my dear Mrs.
Halbert?" asked the bishop I'm an old
friend-o -the-family voice.
"He ought to be here now" she
replied 1T is-high noon"' She spoke
ecstatically.
1T is exactly half past t." doomed
her father. "a fine hour for weddings
spoils the whole day"
The guests arrived. There were a
great many Of them. and they were
quite interested. 1t was the first time
that any OF their set had ever married
a social worker. They knew it would
be exciting. They were quite sure that
he was marrying her for her money.
although, Of course. she had charm.
and she was delightfully."- original. This
marriage proved It,
After awhile the guests had said all
that they could think Of to say at
noon wedding. and they began to be
impatient and look toward the double
doors that showed so we'll the famous
staircase.
Upstairs Zenaide was fiattening her
nose against a window which COM
manded the avenue, but she could get
no glimpse Of the bridegroom.
Mrs. Halbert walked the floor-then
she telephoned the settlement. He was
not there.
That was hopeful, though negative.
for 1t implied he was on his way. Per-
haps the street cars were blocked. She
gave him time enough after that to
reach the house. even should he have to
walk.
Her father fumed and rushed in and
out Of her room. Her mothers cheeks
grew red under her rouge. The guests
perfume Of the banked flowers far too
heavy.
after all l have done to make it
easy for him." said Mrs. Halbert to Ze-
Made. II have not bothered him with
single detail. have shouldered the
whole social burden. but. you see"-she
paced up and down the room-"l ought
to have elopCd. ! ought not to have de-
fed destiny"
Her mother appeared In the door.
This is perfectly absurd" she said.
What shall we do?'
Mrs. Ualbprt's pride kept her from
bursting into tears. Dor she echoed.
What can we do? Haven't | already
done everything? Haven't tried to do
1t all to please you without troubling
him? And isn't this my reward?
Haven't | been absolutely unselfish?
Haven't I shown my willingness to
share his burdens. to leave him free to
do his work? Have been weak and
feminine? Nor She stamped her foot.
Nor
"No!' echoed Zenaide from the win
dow. Then Zenaide had an idea which.
in view Of Mrs. Gilroy's threatened
Mysteries. she conveyed In whispered
French to the bride.
"Zenaidew said Mrs. Halbert, rush
ing downstairs and appearing, to the
n m n zanopt of tho uuaata uuite alone