New Ulm review., 1921-03-02
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Y BY LOUISE HOFFMAN. 81 81
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1t was decided at last in family con-
clave that Joyce was to have we'd
ding. Not a formal church affair, but
just a sweet little home wedding with
a few close friends and relatives. The
family had lived in this spacious old
colonial home for almost a quarter of a
century, and this was the first great
event to take place within its portals.
Something unusual must mark the
very first wedding.
Brother Bob, who was handy with
tools, was pressed into service and he
constructed wonderful arch of chick
en- wire in one end of the living room
where the ceremony was to take place.
A bevy of loving girl friends covered
the whole with spruce and then twined
June roses among the green. Joyce
was to be married in a veritable bower
Of roses.
After many weeks Of joyous prepa-
rations the fateful morning dawned. I
Joyce opened her large blue eyes in
happy anticipation but snapped them
shut as quickly. 1t was dull, gray
day with clouds threatening rain any
minute.
Her sister, Antoinette, reused her.
self and threw an arm about her.
'Im glad we didn't plan a garden
wedding" she comforted, slipping out
of bed. "Don't worry your poor little
head over the weather. Everything
is going to go off fine even if the
weather is sloppy. don't believe the
weather has anything to do with it,
anyway" she continued, hopping into
her clothes. "Think of Mariana
Drew's wedding day. 1t poured and
she's just as happy and prosperous as
she can be-" She bent to kiss her
sister.
At length breakfast was over and
before Antoinette realized it the guests
were arriving and everything was de-
lightful hubbub. She never quite knew
how she managed to don her maid Of
honor frock of palest pink organdie.
Mrs. Martin, in dove gray georgette,
was busy cordially welcoming the
guests at the library door.
Aunt Estelle was with the little
bride, and to allay her fears that all
the wedding party had arrived Antoin-
cite kept bobbing in and out to assure
her everything was in readiness and
everybody had come. She counted
! them over On her fingers.
douglas and all his family have
Just come. Doug and Joe, the best
man, are with father. The wedding
cake is all arranged on the hall table,"
In few minutes she was back.
"The rector is here" she announced,
'and Mary and Holmes have been
here for over an hour. So we're sure
of the music. Mary was to play the
bridal march and also during the cere-
mony. I'm sure everything is going
off fine. Your veil is a dream,' and
off she flew.
Mary met her at the foot of the
rose-twined stairway with white
strained face.
"What shall 1 do?" she gasped,
"Tve forgotten the, music. I thought
Holmes had it and he thought I had
it,
Antoinette, panic stricken, glanced
at the clock. 1t was 20 minutes Of
II. The wedding was planned for
high noon. Just as the clock struck
the hour was to be the signal for
Mary, from the concealed depths Of
the arch, to begin the wedding march.
The maids were beginning to light the
candles. The ushers were placing the
ribboned aisle.
But without music the wedding
would fall fiat. Yet five miles there
and back lay between that precious
music. Could Holmes possibly make
it? Speeches., she nodded to Holmes
to make a try. Holmes car fairly
shot out Of the drive and up the road.
Saved" came the welcome report
at exactly two minutes Of twelve,
when Holmes dashed wildly into sight.
Antoinette gave the signal for the
rector, the best man and the groom
to take their places, and when the
clock struck the tenth stroke of
twelve she led the bridal party as
Mary began the exquisite joyous
strains of 'Here comes the bride .
The rest Of the wedding went by
like blur to Antoinette. She moved
and did her part in detached way.
She heard the guests wishing the
bride joy and had a hazy recollection of
Joyce looking like a misty shining
cloud Of happiness. For the sun had
come in all it's glory just at noon.
Just as Joyce, all radiant in her pref
ty blue travelling suit, threw her bou-
duet to the bridesmaids as she de-
scended the rose -twined staircase.
Philip Whately took her arm and led
her into the deserted living room.
"It's time," he whispered, ''for you
to attend to your own wedding. Come,
dear" He bent to kiss her. II love
you. You know it,
"Say, you spooners,'' broke in Broth
er Bcb. you'll miss the show. Get
out and watch the bride off,
Joyce caught her sister as she came
out and whispered: "It was all so
sweet and I'll help with yours" The
bride was. gone.
Gee, I felt like doing a handspring