The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-07-13
from anxiety concerning his expected

MISS w NltDcTS went 10 ONcIuhcF
room, knocked gently at the door and,
receiving no other reply than snore,
pushed the door open sufficiently to
enable her to look in at her slumber-
ing fiance. He seemed so dead tired
and was resting so comfortably that she
had not the heart to awaken him. Go
ing downstairs to her friend, she said:
II don't know but that we had bet
ter permit him to remain in ignorance
of the fact that he is in private
houses He is very sensitive as to his
treatment of others, and to know that
he had spoken to my friend and hostess
as landlady would dampen his spir-
its for the wedding so soon TO follow"
Il have been thinking of Tie same
thing and quite agree with YOU" re-
piled Mrs. Chester. "There will be no
necessity to make an explanation.
You can tell him about it ut some
future time"
At the end of two hours after Miss
Withers' arrival the time appointed for
the wedding arrived. and the butler
was sent to Overakcr's room to awal-
en- him and announce Miss Withcrs' ar
rival. The announcement tended to
arouse the lieutenant, who completed
his toilet and, going down into the
drawing room, embraced the girl who
was soon to be his bride. She ex-
planned the delay in her arrival and
her presence uniniurcd did away with
the shock that might otherwise have
been expected.
'"I think we need some refreshment,"
said Overaker and, stepping to an cleo
trio button, pushed 1t. The butler en-
tered, and Overakcr said:
"Brlng us in bite of anything you
may have in the larder and let me have
wine card"
The butler had been coached and re-
tired with simple Eyes, sir" The
bride to be was about to inform her
lover that he was making mistake,
but changed her mind, concluding to
let the matter take its course. There
being some delay in serving the re-
freshmcnt, Overaker rang the bell
again, intending to give the butler a
piece of his mind for being 80 long.
But the man brought with him tray,
on which were a dainty luncheon and a
bottle of wine.
'All right" said Ovc:akcr. "Where's
the wine card?'
"Vhe landlady says that it will be in
the bill" was the reply.
Lieutenant Overakcr and his bride
to be enjoyed n very delicious luncheon
together Overaller, it must be admit
ted was more in condition to make
merry than his fanccc, who was be-
ginning to feel somewhat concerned as
to the treatment the friend who was
permitting the use of her house for
the bridal was receiving at the hands
of her lover This belief that Mrs.
Chester was n. landlady and was to
receive pay for what she was giving
was becoming embarrassing. Some
thing must be done to change the
status.
Don't you Think" said Miss With
ers, that since Mrs. Chester has been
so kind as to make the arrangements
for our wedding we should invite her
to lunch with us?"
| 'Ccftalnly. BflnS ner III.
Miss Withers went out and returned
with Mrs. Chester, who played her part
as landlady admirably and treated the
bride and groom with the respect due
| them from one of her station. Over
| aker drew the line between his land
lady and an equal much to her amuse-
ment, while his tiancce was trille en-
barrassed at the situation.
Tho wedding was set for o'clock in
| the afternoon. Overakcr was to leave
/ to rejoin his regiment at 3, while the
bride was to remain for brief visit.
! When the parson arrived the house
hold entered room that had been
properly decorated and awaited the
coming of the bride and groom. The
latter was somewhat surprised mt the
richness of the decorations and voted
the landlndy who had prepared them a
trump. But what surprised him more
was to find her gowncd and jcwcled in
n manner not bclitting the landlady of
the Chester inn. There was still an
other surprisc-a necklace that only n
person of wealth could afford, which
Mrs. Chester gave the bride for we'd
ding present.
by this time Ovcraker began to sus-
Tect that something was wrong. But
he did not communicate his suspicious
to his bride. Shortly before leaving the
house he said TO her:
81 suppose | am in for some expense
In this matter"
"Not at ALL" was the reply. "Since
we could not he married in Chicago,
where all the expense would have
fallen on my father, the bills here are
all paid, the same as if the wedding
had taken place at my home"
But began the groom and paused.
"But WHAT"
"IIow about the luncheon and wine I
orderedY' stammered the lieutenant.
The bride broke into a laugh, called
her friend, "the laudlady," and all was
explained to the groom.
His remark on being enlightened was
indicative Of the selhshness of man.
"lf this gets out in the regiment I'm