The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-08
AT THE CHURCH
100000
BY VINCENT L. PERRY.
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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;
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 frivOity 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, at 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
at the church when Irene was finally
dressed.
Her guardian had made all arrange
ments at the church. There was
large crowd waiting outside to see her
enter and she sailed majestically
through it, 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
was only gOod-lOoking, she thought
again. But where was the groom?
He had not arrived yet, her guardian
announced somewhat nervOusly. Had
he 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 it
was that instead of his missing it 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
look at 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
altar with Claude Roy, she thought as
she fought back the tears.
'Irene!" 1t 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, Irene?" he
said slowly. accept my congratulate
tiOnS"
mo, no, Claude, don't congratulate
me; | am making fool of myself and
l can't stand it - 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 it out on his Shout
der.
Il hate myself, Claude! am marry
ing a man | have never seen and just
for money. It's all through a stupid
old will my uncle made. l had false
idea of my position in social circles
and it's relationship to my happiness,
that's why / sent back your ring. But
| love you, Claude, and | would give
it all up now, but it's too late!"
II am glad you have come to your
senses, DEAR" he said kindly. 81 am
glad you have seen that life of work
that counts is far superior to a butter
fly existence 1t isn't too late to call
this wedding-sham off, sweetheart.
You will never regret 1t, dear"
81 know | never will, Claude. l will
call it off no matter what anyone
says. 1t will be an awful shock for
this poor cousin that [ am supposed
to marry, but he can't really care for
me and the money is all he wants. If
l 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 a telegram; open it, quick!
1t is probably from him. he said ex-
citedly.
Irene's nerves had about reached
their limit Claude took the telegram
from her guardians shaking fingers
opened it 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 wedding?" gasped her
guardian.
"The wedding will go on" Claude
said briskly. "Tell Mr.. Wallace he
will have to conduct the ceremony
without my assistance, for | am to be