Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-03-09
A STILLER GUEST
BY FLORENCE MELLISH.

1t was a rainbow wedding-a pink
mad-of-honor and blue and 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 l 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 looking?" Luella Bates
whispered. land so talented, and rich,
tool But aren't you sorry he's wild
ower-a warmed-over man?"
NO" 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 a 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 filled the pews. 1t was the lady
who sat stiff1y upright in the fourth
pew Of the west wing. They were
whispering to each other:
"Who is the lady in gray?"
Doctor Landphear began the service
in his quiet, penetrating tones. When
he came to the words: eff any one
knows any reason why these two
should not be joined in marriage. let
him speak now, or forever hold his
peace" and l held my breath for an
instant as l always did. / always had
nervous feeling: "What if some one
should come forward and speak?' l
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 be heard in every
corner of the church.
Doctor Landphear looked surprised,
but he kept his usual dignifled pose.
"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
her chin haughtily. The blue and pale
green bridesmaids chung together trem-
blingly. Evelyn herself was deathly
pale. Maurice Penfield threw a strong
arm about her.
ut is my sister-n-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 l saw her my
SELF" she shivered.
Evelyn" he said, sternly, this time,
you must be calm" Then speaking
90 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 Buffum," she
said. "But l was very unhappy at
first. Maurice was very patient and
tender with me, but I could not make
him understand. He would not believe
that Murel did come. He thought it
was simply case of nerves.
But Evelyn, l 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?
Eyes, the dearest, loveliest, quaint
est silver locket you ever saw. 1t
contained lock of Muriels hair He
had given it to Muriel, and she always
wore it night and day underneath her
gowns. before she UltNl size gave II
back to Maurice and charged him
never to let anyone else wear it. He
showed it to me once, and l was child
ishly jealous. l wanted to wear 1t,
and l worried Maurice until he gave
it to me. l had it 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 it
was just beginning to be light. Maui
rice was always asleep and he would
not believe it. But 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
unclasped II and gave it to her. She
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