Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-28


bless you for once more awakening III
with my poor voice?" she smiled. PLAY
it. play the record, Allan, and let us hear
it as it should be sung
He shook his head.
mo" he declared. Not after you have
sung IT, Your voice 10 me Is infinitely
sweeter than any that the world of othey
days ever so much as dreamed Of"
He bent above her. caressed her hair and
kissed her and for a little while they both
forgot their music, But soon the girl re-
called him to the work In hand.
Come, Allan, there's so much to do'
II know. Well now let's see, what
next?"
He paused, a new thought in his eyes.
Beta
"Well?"
you don't find Mendelssohn's Wedding
March, do you? Look. dearest, see II you
can find it. Perhaps 1t may be there. II
So"
She eyed him, her gaze widening
"You mean?"
He nodded
"Just so! Perhaps. after all. you and
can"
"Oh, come and help me look for 1t,
Allan :" she cried, enthusiastic as child In
the Joy Of his new inspiration. IF we only
could find 1t, wouldn't that be glorious?
Eagerly they searched together.
Itch Grolle Nicht,' by Schumann, no.
Stern commented. as one by one they exam
ined the records "'Ave Maria Arcadelt-
Liszt-no. though it's magnificent That's
the one you sing best Of all, Beta. How
often you've sung 1t to me! Remember at
| the bungalow, how l used to lay my head
In your lap while you played with my Sam
| sonesoue locks and sang me to sleep? Let's
| see-Brahm's 'Wiegenlied.' Cradle-song,
| eh? A little premature; that's coming
later Eth? Found it, by Jove! Here we
are, the march itself, so help me! Shall !
| play 1t now?"
mot yet, Allan. Here, see what I've
| found"'
She handed him a record as they sat
| there together in a broad ribbon OF mid
| morning sunlight that flooded down through
| one Of the clearstory windows
1.-THE Form of the Solemnization Of
| Matrimony, by Bishop Gibson" he read
| And silence fell and for.a long minute their
| eyes met
"Beatrice.'
II know understand! So after all.
| these words
shall be spoken. o my love! Out of the
dead past a voice shall speak to us and we
| shall hear! Beatrice, the words your
mother heard. we shall hear, too Come,
Beatrice, for now the time is at hand!'
| She fell a-trembling, and for a mo-
ment could not speak. Her eyes grew
| yeiled in tears, but through them he saw
| a bright smile break, like sunlight after
| summer showers.
She stood up and held out her hand to
| him.
MY Aiian!'
| In his arms he caught her.
| sat last" he whispered. oh at last 20
| When the majesty and beauty of the i'm
| mortal marriage hymn climbed the high
| vaults Of the cathedral, waking the echoes
| Of the vacant spaces, and when 1t rolled,
-pealing triumphantly. she leaned her head
upon his breast and, trembling, clung to
| him.
above her, shrouding her In his love as In
| an everlasting benson, And through their
| souls thrilled wonder, awe and passion. and
| life held another meaning and another
mystery.
| for centuries beyond the memory of man
| rose powerful, heart-thrilling. deep with
| svmboiism. strong with vibrant might
and hand In hand, the woman and the
man bowed their heads, listening:
"Dearly beloved. we are gathered here to
ioin together this man and this woman in
holy atrimony--reverently. discreetly, ad'
| yisedly, soberly. Into this holy estate these
two persons now come to be Joined"
His hand frightened upon her hand. for
he felt her trembling. But bravely she
smiled up at him, and upon her hair the
golden sunlight made an aureols.
| The voice rose In Its soul-shaking ques.
tion-slow and powerful:
wilt thou have this woman to thy wed.
ded wife TO live together In the holy estate
Of matrimony7 Wilt thou love her, com.
fort her. honor, and keep her In sicknes,
and in health. and keep thee only unto her
40 long as ye both shall live7"
Allan's II will !" was as q hymn of Joy
upon the morning air,
"Wiit thou have this man to thy welded
husband, to live together In the holy estate
Of matrimony? Wilt thou serve him. love
honor and keep him In sickness and ir
health, and keep thee only unto him, sc
long as ye both shall liver"
She answered, bravely,
II will
Then the man chorused the voice ant
said;
"I, Allan, take thee Beatrice. to my wed
ded wife, to have and to hold from thil
day forward for better, ror worse. fol-
richer, for poorer, In sickness and in health
10 love and 10 cherish, till death US do part
= ana thsrato plixht thee my troth"
Her snswer eams, stili led ~ - com