Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-22
AT THE CHURCH
@~1@%&4~
BY VINCENT L. PERRY.

and Irene was I'm tears. She had felt
all along that she didn't mind taking
this step, but now she knew she did
mind, and the thought frightened her.
1t would not have been so bad, she
told herself, If she had ever seen the
man she was going to marry, but she
hadn't, and there was Claude Roy. the
man she had pledged to marry three
years before at the commencement
ball.
The fault had not been Claude's. she
told herself. He was too good for her f;
that was the trouble, and she, silly lit
tie thing that she was, had thought
herself too brilliant to be minister's
wife, for he had entered the ministry
against her wishes. Her frivolity had
killed his love. she thought.
As her wedding hour approached,
Irene tried to dry her tears and get
ready. She would show her friends
that she would make as pretty bride
as any of them. If only the groom
was attractive her wedding would be
success from appearances, mt any
rate. But what If the groom was bald,
or had beard or some other hideOus
oddly that would make her laughing
stock? The thought chilled her. He
wrote very nice letters, but It was
hard to tell what type of man he was
from that.
1t lacked fifteen minutes Of the time
the ceremony was scheduled to begin
ut the church when Irene was finally
dressed.
Her guardian had made all arrange
ments at the church. There was a
large crowd waiting outside to see her
enter and she sailed majestically
through 1t, followed by her BRIDES
maids. The cries of: isn't she sweet ~
"What beautiful gown" and numer-
Gus other compliments did not escape
her. She was glad Mabel Duran was
one of the bridesmaids and could
hear them, too. Mabel also looked
sweet, but all eyes were on the bride.
Irene was In the vestibule waiting
for the procession to be formed. The
church was crowded, they told her,
and she was pleased. If the groom
again. But where was the groom?
He had not arrived yet, her guardian
announced somewhat ncrvously. Had
lac missed his train? Would he come :?
This was the worst suspense of all,
she decided, but she wouldn't cry, for
she just had to look nice and fresh for
the ceremony. The train was late,
her uncle announced after he had tele-
phoned the station. Thank goodness 1t
was that instead of his missing Ii She
was able to breathe again.
The guests were growing impatient
so the other members of the wedding
party took their places to be ready
upon the groom's arrival. Irene was
left alone in the vestry. She wasn't
going to have much chance to have Il
look mt this man before she married
him, she could see that. It was no
ones fault save her own that she was
In such II predicament and she did not
blame any one. How different she
would feel II she was to stand ut the
altar with Claude Roy, she thought as
she fought back the tears.
"Irene" II was Claudes voice and
she sprang from her chair.
Claude" she gasped rs she faced n
young man In clerical clothes, who
had just entered.
$50 you are the bride, Irene?" he
said slowly. accept my cOngratua-
tiOns."
mo, no, Claude, don't congratulate
me; am making fool of myself and
l can't stand itw All her fortitude
had gone now and the tears came with
u rush.
"There, there, little girl" he said,
sOothingly, and he put his arm about
her. She sobbed 1t out ON his shoul.
der.
II hate myself, Claude! I am marry
ing man ] have never seen and Just
for money. It's all through II stupid
old will my uncle made. had false
Idea of my position In social circles
and its relationship to my happiness,
that's why ! sent back your ring. But
love you, Claude, ana l would give
1t all up now, but it's too late!"
II am glad you have come to your
senses, dear" he said kindly. ~ am
glad you have seen that II life of work
that counts Is fur superior to n butter.
fly existence. 1t isn't too late to call
this wedding-sham off, sweetheart.
You will never regret 1t, dear"
II know ! never will, Claude. will
call 1t Off no matter what anyone
says. 1t will be an awful shock for
this poor cousin that i am supposed
to marry, but he can't really care for
me and the money is all he wants. If
marry you he will get it all and l
don't care" She had stopped sObbing
and the sign of tears had almost dis
appeared from her eyes.
Her guardian rushed into the vestry.
Here Is n telegram; open it, quick
1t Is probably from him." he said ex.
citedly.
lrene's nerves had about reached
their limit. Claude took the telegram
from her guardians shaking fingers,
opened 1t and read:
, "Forgive me. l have just married
the girl | love. couldn't sacrifice her
for money."-Fred Morgan.
"Thank God" breathed Irene.
but the weddlng?" gasped her
guardian.
"The wedding will go on" Claude
said briskly, Tell Mr.. Wallace he
VIII have 10 conduct the ceremony
without my assistance, for am to be
groom"