The Meeker herald., 1917-03-03
An Eventful
Wedding Journey
By BARBARA PHIPPs

can't help feeling that II the freedom
Of his people depended upon his tax
ing my life he would nerve himself to
do the deed.
There Is a story connected with our
wedding journey that l am going to
tell, though for twenty years whenever
have thought of II my blood has run
cold.
l am Of very sympathetic nature
and impuIsive. and Gustav-as l shall
call him-was impressive. presume
It was this difference between us
that fascinated me with him. We.are
prone to admire what we cannot be.
He seemed at times to be made OF
marble. Often when thinking OF him
! thought at the same time Of the
sphinx or the pyramids.
why do not your people rise and
throw of your oppressors?' | asked.
I'VE would be crushed was the
calm reply.
l could not discern from what he said
and did but that his people expected
to live under foreign oppression till
the crack of doom. Gustav's only hope
seemed wild to me. 1t was that even
tually all the sovereigns In the world
would be killed Off.
| would not consent to marry Gustav
unless he would leave his country and
go with me to America. This he de-
clIned to do because he was needed by
the people Of his country. How he
could be needed by those who were
sunk In hopeless slavery to an auto
crat and were making no effort to
throw Off the yoke could not imagine.
However. while making my prepara-
tons to depart he came to me and
said that he would go with me. Cir
cumstances had arisen which might
enable him TO help his people by going
elsewhere.
This would have made me very hap
by had he given me those circum-
stances that had brought about the
change. But he did not. nor could
caJole him to make an explanation.
Did he intend to advocate the cause Of
his countrymen In other countries7
No. He would neither speak nor write
word on the subject. Would he re-
sort to diplomacy? No. He would live
a life of seclusion.
might have been able to drive the
matter from my mind had not Gustav
become more inpassive. II possible.
than before He treated me with I'M
usual tenderness. On the day of our
marriage he said to me. Before the
ceremony wish you to forgive me for
any injury may inflict upon you by
making you my wife" naturally
took this as indicating a very tender
conscience and gave the desired for.
giveness.
Gustav applied for passport to 60
on his wedding trip. He was delayed
In getting 1t, and our wedding had to
be postponed on this account. Why
there should have been any delay lie
did not explain to me. the wedding be,
ing timed to take place an hour before
the leaving Of the train on which we
were to depart. On leaving the house
my husband spoke few words to the
driver that did not hear. We were
driven to the station by roundabout
way and stopped at house in quiet
street. Gustav telling me that he wish
ed to leave something there for
friend.
But when he nlighted he carried moth.
ing In his hand. The door was opened
by a man apparently Of the middle
class. Gustav stepped inside. The door
was closed. but only for second. My
husband reappeared. and we proceeded
on our way.
Somehow 1t struck me that when
this brief visit was over Gustav ex-
perienced great relief. He emerged
from the house with the most serious
look I have ever seen on mans face.
but on entering the carriage he looked
Mt me with an expression which I
could only interpret as indicating that
there had been a great danger which
had now passed. Taking my hand In
his. he pressed 1t. which ! took to ex
press the same emotion as bis look.
An hour after our train left the sta.
tion we had crossed the border. There
was as much change In my husband
at this time us there was after his
brief visit. But one thing ! noticed
ne seemeu eager 10 put distance I've
tween us and his former home. We
had intended to stop over night In a
large city. but Gustav seemed eager
to get on. and I consented to proceed
to little town where there were few
people and no telegraph.
The next day we passed out of the
country adjoining my husbands IA
tberand and by evening had traversed
another nationality. entering Switzer-
land. Here my husband bought a pa
per and scanned 1t eagerly. Suddenly
I saw look Of disappointment pass
over his face. Looking over his shOul.
der. l read that on the night following
our wedding an attempt had been
mnde to assassinate the governor Of
the province In which we were mar
riCt1 He had been badlv wounded buf