The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-05-29
The Wedding
Knives
80
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They we're very b~sutiful--thoss
delicate tribes ~ the ancient wedding
fcilei ~ The seventeenth century bride
Tho wedding knives Of Mistress Anne
Hogsrfh
Msrrery Bysrs took them revere0ily
from their faded green brocsde sheath
snd running her fingers over the elab.
srai~:y chased blades. and the quaint
p<an s~t handles. handed them IA
stephen Palmer. The young physician
turned them over curtousiy.
so these pretty irinkets were nec-
ssssry 20 the bridal toilet away bock
In the days Of your grandmother snces.
tress. Msrfief" he remarked. II don't
remember Of ever reading Of them"
Msrgery's brown eyes sparkIed with
interest and admiration.
why. don't you remember. Stever'
she cried. Juliet wore them at her
girdle when She WAS IN the Friar's cell.
and she had them on when she was
abon, 10 take tho sleeping potion"
"whst did they symbolize?" asked
Palmer.
''rhey had something 10 do with sew
ering The knot of love. believe" an
swered Mareery vaguely. anyway
whatever they meant. they were beau
fiful things 10 wear"
"And ron. Marge. suppose you'll
wear these when you're married.
Palmer bcsiiated little over his work.
when girl has well.deined. rela-
tive implanted idea Of engaging herself
when she gets 10 the seashore summer
resort 10 rich man she doesn't care
for. hut who is going 10 ask her TO
marry him--to see unexpected love In
the eyes Of the man she'd like 10 mar
~. even though siisapproved Of by the
relatives, Is dlsconeertiDg. Margery
turned away and replaced the trInkeis
IN their places before she answered
bit TREMENDOUSLY:
"My--my wedding day Is n long time
IN most likely Stephen I'm not quite
twenty. you know"
'I-~llsten, Marge." Stephen tried to
keep his voice steady. Il want to tell
you something
"IIurry. Margic." an impatient voice
called from the next room. "Are YOU
forgetting we have m engagement this
EVENING""
I'm coming. mother" the girl an
swered. "rome down 10 The station TO
morrow. Steve" she said IN hasiy good.
by. "carly. III 20 down half hour he
fore mother docs, and We've can talk
before the train leaves"
But n man IN n factory got himself
cut IN badly the next day nm hour be-
fore Margnry's train was TO leave. and
Palmer was called to hold life In him.
There was not even time for telephon
ing Margcry. and The letter 81 explana.
tIon he sent her was returned TO him
unopened
when three weeks later Margery's
engagement 10 Elmer Troxell was nm
nounced stephen worked 50 many OK
tra hours NJ the hospital that the head
surgeon protested
In September the Byers family re-
turned. and Palmer could not escape
the accounts Of the wedding that was
10 be one Of the cltyAs social events. A
few days before the wedding, unable
10 deny himself the uncertain unhappi- |
ness Of trying to catch n glimpse Of |
the bride-to-be. he found himself pass
Ing the Byers house. As he went by, |
driving nj snail's pace. he heard
frightened screams from within. He |
leaped from his car. As he ran up the
walk terrified maid thrust open the
door.
"Oh. Doctor Palmer !" she cried. rec |
ognixing him. "come In. quick!"
Another one Of the maids had fallen. |
carrying tray Of glasses. and had cut
her wrist. She was shrIeking In fear
and clingIng 70 Margery, who with q
pencil and handkerchief was twisting
sourniquet about the wounded arm.
while the blood spattered her lovely
white dress.
"Come away. Margery." frowned a
heavy browed man IN a white serge
costume. standing at a safe distance
from the maid. a. Palmer came for
ward. 'and LEI the man attend to her.
It's his business you're sfs.
ting your frock spoiled, and we were
ready for our drive
Margery shnA On HIS hand go
away. Elmer Palmer selected 4
NOTE Of dislike In her tone--"yon nre
IN Doctor Palmer'S way Never mind
the drive. shall stay with Sophie
A. Troxeii sulklly left the room his
foot touched something lying on the
rug something that ,inkled. MS with a
innrmur OF disgust ne showed II aside.
The next morning when Palmer re-
turned 10 the house 10 attend the in
jured maid h. found her CRYING.
I'm mt scared for myself. it's Miss
Margie Tn worried about she told
him. ''iIe-fhn, rnsn ain't III for her
nor anybody else Miss Nargie told
him yesterday she WIS going 10 wear
her grea, grandmoiher's wedding
knives ffnayhe she's showed them 10
ycu) NJ her wedding, and he got aw-
fully mad--asked her how she would
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