The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1921-04-21
CHAPTER v.
The WEDDING.

The Wedding.
II was an exceedingly busy after.
noon, 20 filled with details Of preparn-
tion % to leave Shelby slight oppor-
tunity for reflection. He had never
contemplated marriage. or imagined
himself q benedict. He knew practi-
cally nothing az to the disposition and
character Of the girl or what she might
require Of himself. He had no con.
ception that he loved her or that she
felt any especial affection for him.
His sudden action had been very large.
~ Influenced by his controversy with
'Cowan and she had quite FRANKLY COIL
fessed that her choice OF him rested
entirely on the fact that he was not
Q resilient Of Ponca. There had been
NO mention al love between them,
merely business-like arrangement,
unmarked BY the siightest sentiment.
lie was dimly aware that this made q
POM foundation on which to build for
future happiness.
This peculiar situation was driven
home to him BY n vivid recollection
Of what he WAS going to take her to-
that siesolate ranch out there on the
Cottonwood. Could she he aatisfie4if
CNnld she even bt,ar with s,lcl, cOndi.
.tiops?
He saw Mccarthy and the preacher
from RufPxso Gap. first telling them
frankly the whole story and xrnvely
rledGing both to secrecy. Refusing
firmly to receive cent u the money
which Mac promptly offered. lie left
these two to arrange al, details for
the wedding, confident ~ their discre-
ton and goOti Judgment. There WIS
no necessity for hts seeing the girl
again, and. indeed. he felt no inclina-
ton to do 10. IT, even shrank from
the thought Of sreing her. and was
profoundly thankful that everything
WAS 10 completely understood he
tween them ~ to make another con.
ference entirely unnecessary. Satisfied
unOn this point. he devoted the time
remnininx at HIS disposal to purchas.
Ing tic variety ~ articles made nee.
cs.ary by this sudden change In life.
The blackboard was loaded until moth.
ing remained unOccupied hut the mar.
row seat. a huge box. packed full, o..
cupyinE the rear portion. with hun.
dies tied securely here and there
about the vehicle. wherever they would
ride safely. Over all these he stretch.
I'd . tarpauiin to keep out the dust.
strapping the latter firmly late place.
The solemn injunction to secrecy
had prevented Ponca from making
this occasion one Of specisl eelebra.
ton, but. nevertheiess. runor had
Leen suhicientiy busy % % to prevent
my strictly private ceremony. The
,nrior NJ the ho,e, was already crowd
I'd with uninvitesi guests when ne Nm.
sRy arrived md there was also a.
overflow meetisg In the adjoining din-
log room. Shelby sworn under hls
breath. bot Il was too late to protest
outwardfy. % The sride-to-bs was a.
ready waiting his arrival at The fsst
Of IL Stain.
II spite u the doubts which had
Mssailst bin durisg the past few
WV0bDs tU0 UsB0S u ~ 0Soo o"0sssso
hia coming. hse eyes meeting his owr
frankly, sest Q sudden thrill through
HE veias. She was chapsroosd By The
wife Of the principal stoeekeepsr and
doubtless ethsfs among the few ~
spectacle women Of Ponca had COZ
b'ned their taste and possessions to
proverly At her out for the occasion.
yust how the TRANSFORMATION had BEN
accomplished Shelby. hsIng . man woe-
fully lacking 10 experience. did not
know. but be was wildly aware Of
the change IL her appearance and
msnner. She was dressed In gray.
the outer gafment plainly fashioned
~, hitting well. while n tnost becoming
aat. rather eoquettish In its shape.
rested 90 soft. shining hair. nuffed
ut atts1ctivsly. forming Q most agree
sele frame for the youne face. the
Aesss 1UshsA WITH excitement. Shsl.