The Lamar register., 1918-03-06
AT THE CHURCH
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BY VINCENT L. PERRY.
S8g8M&s
Copyright. 1917. by the Mcclure NewEpa
per Syndicate.)

1t was Irene Whites wedding day
and Irene was in 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.
II 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 sthe commencement
ball.
The fault had not been Claude's, she
told herself. He was too good for her; (;
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 hnd 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 nnd 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
n success from appearances, at any
rate. But what If ihe groom was bald.
or had a beard or some other hideous
oddlty that would make her a laughing
stock? The thought chilled her. He
wrote very nice letters, but 1t was
hard to tell what type of man he was
from that.
II lacked fifteen minutes of the time
the ceremony was scheduled 10 begin
at the church when Irene was finally
dressed.
Her guardian had made all arrange
ments at the church. There was n
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 a 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. II the groom
was only good-looking. she thought
again. But where was the groom7
He had not arrived yet. her guardian
announced somewhat nervously. Had
he missed his trainI 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 trala was late,
her uncle announced after he had tele-
81 IL 10
was that instead Of his missing It She
was able to breathe again.
The guests were growing impatient
50 the other members Of the wedding
pnrty took their places to be ready
upon the groom's arrival. Irene was
left alone Ia the vestry. She wasn't
going TO have much chance TO have a
look nt this man before she married
him, she could see that. 1t was no
ones fault save her own that she was
In such a predicament and she did not
blame any one. How different she
would feel If she was to stand at the
nltar with Claude Roy. she thought as
she fought back the tears.
'Irener" II was Claude's voice and
she sprang from her chair.
"Claude!" she gasped as she faced
young man in clerical clothes, who
had Just entered.
$50 you are the bride. Irene7" he
said slowly. Accept my cOngratula-
tons"
"No, no, Claude. don't congratulate
me am making fool of myself and
l can't stand It'll" All her fortitude
had gone now and the tears came with
a rush.
'There, there, little girl" he said.
soothingly, and he put his arm about
her. She sobbed 1t out on his shoul-
der.
81 hate myself. Claude 1 am marry
ing man l have never seen and just
for money. It's all through a stupid
old win my uncle made. had false
idea Of my position in social circles
and its relationship to my happiness,
that's why l sent back your ring. But
/ love you, Claude, and l would give
It all M now, but it's too later
81 am glad you have come to your
senses, dear" he said kindly. II am
glad you have seen THAT life of work
that counts is far superior to butter
fly existence. 1t isn't too late TO call
this wedding-sham Off, sweetheart.
You will never regret II, dear"
~ know l never Will. Claude. will
IL