The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-06-09
A STILLER GUEST
BY FLORENCE MELLIsH.

and lavender and pale green brides
maids Evelyn looked so sweet and
childllke in her white gown and veil
the pew and cried. l had loved her
from her babyhood. / had made her
| first short frocks and rompers and her
graduation gown. but my fingers had
grown too stiff to be trusted with we'd
ding garments.
Maurice Penfield. looking more dig
nified and self-pOssessed than ever,
was none the less handsome for his
CRAVING temples.
isn't he fine looklng?" Luella Bates
whispered, land so talented, and rich,
tool But aren't you sorry he's wild
ower-a warmed-over man?"
"No," l whispered back, "he has
been tested and he has borne the
test. He was all devotion to his inva-
lid Wife"
Luella was silenced. but down In my
heart / was little sorry. 1 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 filled the pews. 1t 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 grayT'
Doctor Landphear began the service
In his quiet, penetrating tones. When
he came to the words: "If any one
knows any reason why these two
should not be Joined In marriage, let
him speak now, or forever hold his
peace" and held my breath FOR an
instant as always did. always had
a nervous feeling: "What II some one
should come forward and speakT I
had been a guest at "a weddings. and
no one had come forward.
This time some one did. 1t was the
lady in gray.
81 know a reason" she said In a
deep voice that could be heard In every
corner of the church.
Doctor Landphear looked surprised,
but he kept his usual dignified poise.
"Wlll you state your reasonT he
asked quietly.
"My sister Muriel is Maurice Pen
fields wife, and my sister Muriel Is
here"
The pink maid Of honor flushed with
anger. The lavender bridesmaid was
In tears. The canary bridesmaid lifted
her chin haughtily. The blue and pale
green bridesmaids chung together trem-
bllngly. Evelyn herself was deathly
pale. Maurice Penfield threw a strong
arm about her."
at is my sister-in-law. The poor
woman Is insane" He turned to one
of the ushers. "Can you take her
out quietly?"
Evelyn turned instantly and looked
behind her. could see how violently
she was trembling. Maurice drew her
gently back.
"Try to be calm, Evelyn. The poor
mad woman is not worth minding."
"But Muriel is there saw her my
self" she shivered.
Evelyn" he said, sternly, this time,
"you must be calm" Then speaking
to Doctor Landphear: II think we may
go on now"
Months after the dear girl came to
me in that same little shabby room and
told me the whole story.
II am happy now. Miss Buffum," she
said. But I was very unhappy at
first. Maurice was very patient and
hui II ~
him understand He would not believe
that Muriel did come. He thought 1t
was simply case Of nerves"
"But, Evelyn, / saw no one"
"But she was there. She came
again. She came three times. used
to feel so guilty and frightened. You
see, 1t was the locket."
The locket. Evelyn?'
"Yes, the dearest, loveliest, quaint
est silver locket you ever saw. 1t
contained a lock Of Muriel's hair. He
had given It to Muriel, and she always
wore I night and day underneath her
gowns. Before she died she gave IL
back to Maurice and charged him
never TO let anyone else wear It. He
showed 1t to me once, and was child
lshly jealous. l wanted to wear 1t,
and l worried Maurice until he gave
II to me. had 1t on under my we'd
ding gown In church when Muriel
came.
But, Evelyn"
"She did come. She came again
three times and stood beside my bed.
1t was In the early morning when 1t
was Just beginning to be light. Maui
rice was always asleep and he would
not believe 1t. But l saw her plain
her eyes were SO sad and reproachful.
The third time she stood with her eyes
fixed on the chain that held the locket.
1t came to me what she wanted and I
unclasped 1t and gave It to her. She
smiled then and she didn't go out by
the door. She just seemed to fade
away and was gone. She never came
again. have lost my foolish jealousy
Of Door sweet, gentle Muriel, and am