Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-11-02
CHAPTER III (Continued).

desperately toward the bride. He must
see her and drive this phantasm from
his brain. He turned, half expecting to
see Julia's tail, handsome form,
though telling himself he was a fool,
wondering why he SO dreaded the
idea. Then his gaze was held fascl-
mated.
She WAC a little creature, slende and
young and very beautiful, with a beauty
which a deathly pallor only enhanced
Her face vas delicately cut, n set IN
Il frame of fine dark hair, the whole
made most exquisite by the mist OF
white tulle that breathed itself about
her like real mist over q Flower. But
the lovsly head dropped, the coral lips
had a look OF unutterable sadness, ana
the long lashes swept over white
cheeks. He could not take his eyes from
and how fitting for the delightful youth
by his side! Now that he though OF 1t
she was like him, only smaller and more
delicate, of course. A sudden tlerce,
ridiculous feeling of envy filled Cor
don's heart. Why couldn't he nave
known and loved a girl like that! why
hi I Julia Bentley been forever IN his
pathway as the girl laid out tof ms
choice?
He looked at her with such Intensity
that a couple Of dear old sisters Who
listened to the prayer with their eyes
open, whispered n to the other: u
see him look at her! How he must love
her! Wasn't it beautiful that he should
come right from the teamer to the
church and never see her till now, for
the first time in 10 long years. It's SO
romantic!"
YES" whispered the other; and 1
believe it'll last. He looks at her that
way. Only I do dislike that way of ar
ranging the hair on his face. But then
~ W nSll YNrnh0 IA
get over it IL they stay in this country"
A severe old lady in the seat In front
turned u reprimanding chin toward
them and they subsidized. Still Gordon
continued to gaze.
Then the bride became aware Of his
look, raised her eyes, and-they We're
full of tears!
They gave him one %reproachful
glance that shot through his soul like a
sword, and her lashes dropped again.
BY some mysterious control over the
law Of gravity, the tears remained I'M
shed, and the mans gaz was turned
aside; but that look had done it's
mighty work.
All the experiences of the day rushed
over him and seemed to eliminate in
that one look. 1t was as If the reproach
| Of all things had come upon him, The
hurt in the white dogs eyes had
touched him, the perfect courage in the
appeal of the child's Eyes had called
| forth his deepest sympathy, but the
| his heart. He saw now that the appeal
/! OF the dog and the child had been the
| opening wedge for the look of a woman,
which tore self from him and flung it
at her feet for her to walk upon; and
when the prayer was ended he found
| that he was trembling.
He looked vindictively at the innocent
youth beside him, as the soft rustic OF
the audience n the little breath Of re-
lief from the bridal party b%etokened the
next stage In the ceremony. What had
this innocent looking youth don tc
cause tears in those lovely eyes? Was
she marrying him against her will? He
was only a boy, any way. What RICH,
had he to suppose he could care for 6
delicate creature like that? He was
making her cry already, and he seemed
to be utterly unconscious Of 1t. What
could be the matter? Gordon felt a de.
sire to kick him.
vertently he might have been the caus,
Of her tears; he, supposedly the bes
man, who had been late, and held III
the; wedding no knowing how long. O
course 1t wasn't really his fault; blu
by proxy 1t a for he nav was mas
q%uerading as that unlucky best man
and she was very likely ~reproachini
him for what she supposed was his stu
pidity. He had heard that women erie,
sometimes from vexation, disappoint
ment or excitement.
Yet in his heart Of hearts h
could not set those tears, tina
look. down to SO trivial a cause. The.
there was something deeper there tina,
mere yexation. There had been bite
reproach for a deep wrong done. TIL
glance had told him that. All the man
hood in him rose to defend her agains
whoever had hurt her. He longed t
get n more look into her eyes t
make quite sure; and then, IL there wa
still appeal there, his soul must answe
For the moment his commission, hi
ridiculous situation, the real peril {
his life and true, were forgotten.
The man Jefferson had produced
ring and was nudging him. 1t appeare
play with that ring. He dimly remem
bered somewhere hearing that the bes
man must hand the ring to the bride
groom at the proper moment, but 1
was absurd for them to go through tn
farce OF doing that when the bride
groom already held the golden circle
In his fingersl Why did he not step u
like q nan nj put 1t upon the out
stretched hand: that little white han
lust In front OF him there. so timidl
held out with its glove fingers tucke
back, like a dove crept out from II
covert unwillingly2
But that, Jefferson man still held ou
the ring stupidity to him. and evidentl
expected him to take It. Silly youth
There was nothing for It but to tax
It and hand 1t back. OF course. He mus
do as he was told and hasten that aw
ful ceremony to it's .interminable clos
TO took the ring and held II out. br