Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-03-07

per Sypdicate.)
Bess Brownell linked her arm in
Patricia's as they went downstairs.
Il don't like to criticize people, espe-
cially when I'm visiting them, but |
must say l never saw bridal party
where everybody concerned acted so
much as If they wanted to crawfish
out" she laughingly declared.
Patricia, who had just arrived.
looked surprised. Surely you must be
mistaken, Bess," she demonstrated, re-
membering the latter's propensity to
exaggerate things during their college
days.
Bess shook her curly head. 'Tve
been here week, and that's long
enough to--see good many things"
BY this time they had reached the
dining room, where they We're Joined
by others, 50 the conversation neces-
sarily became general. Nor were they
alone together again that evening. But
Patricia thought over those words
many times next day, when she and
the other young people decorated the
house with roses and smilax for the
wedding. Apparently everyone was
blithe and gay, but over all was an I'M
mistakable atmosphere of tenseness
and forebodng.
Late that afternoon Patricia went
TO the drug store on an errand, and as
she was leaving, rather showily
dressed young man came forward and.
with an apology for addressing her,
asked: you are one Of the Warren
house-party, aren't YOU"
She acknowledged this fact. and he
drew from his pocket an envelope.
"Then I'm going to ask you to do
me the favor of giving this to Miss
Ada Warren, when you have the
chance to see her alone"
Almost Involuntary she took the
letter. her gray eyes raised question
ingly.
II am an old friend of Miss Warren
she'll understand" he added with n
disarmlng smile. He bowed courteous
ly and was gone.
With deepening misgivings, she COM
piled with his request. Ada's child
like face whitened when she saw the
writing. but she offered no explana-
ton.
That evening there was to be re-
hearsal for the wedding, and as they
waited for the clergyman who was to
offlclate, Alice Marshall. Ada's mar
rled sister, proposed little dance.
There are five girls and Ave men,
and | will play for you; so Improve
the golden opportunity /" said she. ilc
-isn t Fred Landreth typical bride
groom7 He's so pale and scared-look-
ing" whispered Bess. her dark eyes
shining lmpishly. as they stood to-
gether a moment before the dancing
began. To Patricia the gay strains of
the music seemed intolerable. Some
how the whole affair seemed like
trayesty. Surely she did not have
these forebodings for nothingl She
could not bear to think of unhappiness
.NNihAh6 w Ff'hg WIZ ltuO bttil iiNi
est friend at college. nor to Landreth,
either. Surely, after his hard struggle
in the business world. he deserved
happiness. She thought of that hap
py summer on the Maine coast two
years ago, when she and Ada had first
met him. At first he had paid more
attention TO her. and she had thought
-. Patricia pulled herself together
sharply. Those were memories she
must never think OF again, for to-
morrow he was TO marry her dearest
friend.
At that moment the doorbell rang
loudly. 1t was q messenger boy with
II telegram.
This is to be delivered to Misther
Fred Landreth." said he.
I'm your man." returned Landreth,
and signed for the message. He tore
open the yellow envelope and Patricia
saw his face grow grave.
els II bad news7" she asked timldly.
Read" He handed her the paper.
mines at El Paso blown up. Gen
eral insurrection. Much damage.
Come"
lis II very bad. do you supposeT
Even as she asked, Patricia subcon-
sciously wondered why we are prone
TO ask futile questions In time of
crisis.
1.-The message sounds Ike II. Prob
ably ali machinery is ruined"
"Oh, Fred. I'm so sorry. / hope
things aren't as bad as they SEEM
Voice and eyes were sympathetic.
THANK you, Pat Good wishes help.
1 must go and tell Ada and the War
rens. may have 10 start back to-
night"
ke went over TO the piano and said
a few words to Alice Marshall. The
gay strains Of the fox.trot stopped
abruptly.
please take my place q little while"
she said TO BeSs. who sat nearby,
and left the room with Lundrath Pa
tricia slipped away to the yeranda.
She felt as II she must be quiet. few
minutes TO get grip on herself
They mustn't see me so upset. II
would seem strange"
Through the half.open door she saw
Alice return and call the others to
her. They stood in little group talk