The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1921-07-29
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A STILLER GUEST
BY FLORENCE MElLlSh.
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lndlu-ol-HoHoT anu hlut ana canary
and lavender and pale green brides
maids. Evelyn looked So sweet and
childlike in her white gown and veil
that ] just curled into my corner of
the pew and cried | 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 Pentield. looking more dig
nitied and Selt-possessed than ever.
was none the less handsome for his
CRAVING temples.
Isn't he fine lookng?' Luella Bates
whispered. land So talented and rich,
too! But aren't you sorry he's wild
ower-a warmed-over MANI"
NO" ! whispered back. "he has
been tested, and he has borne the
test He was all devotion to his inva-
lid wife"
Lucia was silenced. but down in my
heart ] was a little sorry. wanted
| our Evelyns marriage to he ideal in
| every way.
But, after all. it was not the lovely
bride or the stately bridegroom who
held the eyes of the little company
that filed the pews. It was the lady
who sat stffiy upright in the fourth
pew of the west wing. They were
whispering to each other
"Who is the lady in gray?'
Doctor Landphcar 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 he joined in marriage. let
him speak now, or forever hold his
peace" and | held my breath for an
instant as | always did. | always had
nervous feeling: What If some one
should come forward and speak," |
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
deep voice that could he heard in every
corner of the church.
Doctor Landphcar looked surprised.
but he kept his usual dignified polse.
"Will you state your reason?" he
asked quietly.
"My sister Murel 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
u, - Il l.,
green bridesmaids chung together trem-
blihgly. Evelyn herself was deathly
pale. Maurice penfield threw strong
arm about her"
at is my sister-iil-aw. 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 shivcred.
"fvelyn." he said. sternly, this time,
"you must be calm" Then speaking
to Doctor Landphear: 81 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.
81 am happy now, Miss Buifum.' she
said. but | was very unhappy at
first. Maurice was very patient and
tender with me, but | could not make
him understand. He would not believe
that Muriel did come. He thought it
was simply ease 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 II was the lOcket"
''The locket. Evelyn?'
Yes, the dearest. loveliest, quaint
est silver locket you ever saw. II
contained a lock of Murel'S hair. He
had given ii to Muriel, and she always
wore il 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 il To me once. and | was child
ishly jealous | wanted to wear it,
and | worried Maurice until he gave
ii To me. ! had it on under my we'd
ding gown in church when Muriel
came.
Put, Evelyn"
'She did come. She came again
three times and stood beside my bed
II was in the early morning when il
was just beginning Ia be light Mau-
rice was always asleep and he would
not believe II. But | SAW her plain
her eyes were 50 sad and reproachful.
| The third time she stood with her eyes
fixed on the chain that held the locket.
II came to me what she wanted and |
unclasped If and gave II TO her. She
| smiled then and she didn't 90 out by
the door She just seemed to fade
away and was gone She never came
again. have LOST my foolish jealousy
of poor, sweet, gentle Muriel, and I am
happy now"
Did you tell SaurIco about it?"
Yes. ] knew he felt some conpunc-
| ton over giving mo The locket. and |
wanted him To know thai Muriel had