Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1919-05-16
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81 RALPH HAMILTON,
lo,s,nakt. l,ls. s, W..t.n Nv. - U.sa,

81 RALPH HAMILTON
10. i, w..... - U.,aa.,
an afraid you are : schemer.
Lettie.' .:
because i have asked Norma Dali
Las TO act as my Bird esmaid. and be-
cause Ernest has chosen Robert Hard
ing as his groomsman1 T. 3s'
So Ell, you must admit that the con.
Junction Is peculiar under the cir
cumstances,' submitted Norma's
aunt, Mrs. Marston. ss.s
Il confess to having purposely
brought It about" admitted Lettie
Brooks. soon to be Mrs. Ernest Vale
II have always felt sorrowful over
the quarrel, misund Outstanding. or
whatever 1t was between Norma, my
dearest friend, and Mr.. Harding, whom
! greatly like.
a The wedding was only two days dis
tant It was to be a very simple af-.
fair. One thing only Lettie had In
sisted on, that they be married in
little church In what had become i
poor part Of the city.
Lettie's fance was g come from
Worcester. to the nortf, the day Of
the wedding. Robert Harding lived
to the south. Norma Dallas was to
come from town twenty miles dis
tant: It was truly informal affair,
for bridesmaid and eroomsman were
to 60 direct to the church. Upon the
suspicious evening Harding took the
train and arrived In Leesville about
six o'clock. The ceremony was to
begin an hour later. He had no sus-
picion that he was to meet, for the
first time in a year, the former object
Of his hearts true devotion. He had
never forgotten Norma Dallas. They
had become engaged, when abruptly
Norma had grown cold and sdistant
toward him.. Harding was not afford.
ed opportunity to penetrate the motive
of this strange change in demeanor.
Harding called taxicab and was
driven to the church. It was lighted
up and about the doors and within
gathering groups were evident. At
one side was the vestry and Harding
approached It, entered at an open
doorway and gave great start as he
observed one other occupant of the
apartment.
Norma ~ he uttered under his
breath and stood spellbound.
Eyes, it was Norma Dallas, and he
could not analyze the sentient emo
lions that stirred his heart at this un"
expected meeting. She was looking
at picture on the wall of this, the
retiring room Of the officiating clergy
man. She turned finally, observed the
newcomer and quick pallor came
into her face. Harding regained his
composure first. He advanced and
extended his hand with a pleasant
smile.
"Our friends do not seem to have
yet arrived" he said. II had not ex-
pected to meet you here, Miss Dallas,
although of course I should have re-
membered that you were close friend
of the bride expectant."
Norma futtered. She was at loss
what to say, for the unexpected con-
frontation bewildered her It gave her
mingled pain and pleasure. Her eyes
had dropped and her breath came
quickly. Before she could find CO.
herent words to reply there was an
interruption. The clergyman who was
to off1ciate at the ceremony entered
the room.
II presume you are Mr.. Harding"
he spoke. II have received a telephone
| message from Mrs. Marston. The we'd
ding is postponed. It appears that
she has Just received a telegram from
t the city announcing that Mr.. Vale
has met with an automobile accident.
He is not seriously injured, yet suf
flciently SO to require his detention
in the city for day or two"
Norma reached for her wrap. Hard
ing came nearer to her. "Pere
haps we had better 60 and see Miss
Brooks" he suggested. IT am anxious
to learn something more Of Vaile's
mishap."
Norma lifted her eyes to his face.
!'eMr. Harding" she said TREMENDOUSLY.
II want to tell you that what hap
pened year. ago was due to mis-
conception on my part. You were
misrepresented to me, and 1T was
all my fault. It took me long
time to find out that was the VIC
tim of tale bearer and slanderer."
Infinite pathos came into the face
of Harding. She had. then, thought
enough OF him to attempt his vindica.
ton. 4.
II pm glad you have told me this"
he said tenderly. II suspect the
source that was the start Of our sep
aration. / have never ceased to regret,
it, and just then his glance passing
beyond the vestry door that looked
into the church strange suggestion
came to his mind. g IS
It seemed as though the entire
neighborhood had crowded to the
church "a witness The marriage cero.