The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-03-24
A STILLER GUEST
BY FLORENCE MELLlsH.

muid.of.honOr and blue and canary
and lavender aud pale green brides
maids. Evelyn looked so sweet ant
childlike in her white gown and veil
that I Just curled into my corner oi
the pow and cried. | had loved her
from her bnbyhood. had made her
first short frOcks aud rompers and hen
graduation gown, but my fingers hal
grown too StiT to be trusted with wed
ding garments.
Maurice Pcnhcld. looking more dig
niticd and self.pOSsessed than ever
was none the less handsome for hi,
graying temples,
| isn't he fine loOking?' Luclln Bates
whispered, "and 50 talented, and rich.
too! But aren't you sorry he's Il wild
Ower--a wnrmed-Ovcr man.
NO" l whispered back she has
been tested. aud he has borne the
test. lie was all devotion to his inva.
I'D wife"
Lucia was silenCcd, but down In my
heart I was u little sorry. | wanted
our Evelyn's marriage to be ideal In
every way.
But, after all, 1t was not the lovely
bride or the stately bridegroom who
held the eyes OF the little company
that allied the pews. Il was the lady
who sat stiffiy upright in the fourth
pew OF the west wing, They were
whispering to each other:
"Who Is the lady IN gray?'
Doctor Lnudphear began the Scrvic"
In his quiet. penetrating tones. When
no came to the words: 'if any ouf
knows any reason why these two
should not he Joined in marriage, lct
him speak now, or forever hold his
peace" ana | held my breath for ~
instant as always did. ! always hp,
n nervous feeling: what If some one
should come forward and speak,
had been guest at ~ weddings, an,
no one had come forward.
This time some one did. 1t was tn,
lady in gray.
81 know u reason" she said In !
deep voice that could be heard in ever,
corner Of the church.
} Doctor Landphcar looked surprised
hut he kept his usual dignifcd poise
evil you state your reason h
, asked quietly.
"NIy sister Muriel Is Maurice rer
fields wife. and my sister Murlel
here"
The pink maid Of honor flushed wit
anger. The lavender bridesmaid wa
In tears. The canary bridesmaid LITE
, her chin haughtly. The blue and pal
L green bridesmaids chung together tren
! blngly. Evelyn herself was DEATH
pale. Maurice Penfeld threw stron
arm about her"
at Is my slSter-in-law. The poo
:, woman is insane" He turned to or
= OF the ushers. Can you take h'
out quietlyp
Evelyn turned instantly and locke
behind her. could sec how violent
she was trembling. Maurice drew h,
gently back.
"Try to be calm, Evelyn. The POI
} mad woman Is not worth mindng.'
"But Muriel Is there. | saw her IN
self" she shiyered.
"Eyclyn," he said. sternly, this tim
"you must be calm" Then speakiI
to Doctor Landphear: 81 think we mi
go on now"
Months after the dear girl came
me in that same little shabby room a
told me the whole story.
81 am happy now, Miss Buffum," 5
said. But | was very unhappy
h first. Maurice was very patient a
y tender with me. but could not ma
X him understand. He would not belle
that Muriel did come. He thought
was simply case OF nerves"
But, Evelyn, l saw no one
"But she was there. She ca
m again. She came three times. us
ly to feel so guilty and frightened. y
see, II was the lOcket."
M 1.-THE iocket. Evelyn?'
on "Yes, the dearest, loveliest, qual
OK est silver locket you ever saw.
Ia. contained a lock OF Muriel's hair.
IN. had given it to Muriel, and she alw'
IN. wore 1t night aud day underneath
an gowns. Before she died she gave
nd back 10 Maurice and charged !
me never to let anyone else wear 1t,
In. showed IL to me once, and was en-
or. ishly Jealous. l wanted TO wear
oF and worried Maurice until he 81
ioI II to me. had 1t on under my "
Ist ding gown in church when Mu
a came
- But, Evelyn"
"She did come. She came az
three times and stood beside my
II was In the early morning wher
was Just beginning to be- light NJ
ian rice was always asleep and he we
ons not believe it. But | saw her plat
I'M her eyes we're so sad and reproach
'tly The third time she stood with her
III fixed on the chain that held the loo
OF II came to me what she wanted al
ls unClasped it and gave 1t to her.
ORC smiled then and she didn't 90 out
the the door She just seemed to
are | .......,, ,rJ ,yug onnp She never G