The St. Johns herald., 1921-06-02
CHAPTER V.
The Wedding.

The Wedding.
 If was an exceedingly busy after noon, so filled with details of prepara- tion as to leave Shelby slight oppor- tunity for reflection. He had never contemplated marriage, or imagined himself a benedict. He knew pracd- caIly nothing as to the disposition and character of the girl or what she might require of himself. He had 70 con- ceptiOn that he loved her or that she felt any especial affection for him. His sudden action had been very large Iy influenced by his controversy with Cowan aud she had quite frankly con- fessed that her choice of him rested entirely on the fact that he was not a resident of Ponca. There had been no mention of love between them, merely a business-like arrangement, unmarked by the slightest sentiment. He was dimly aware that this made poor foundation on which to build for future happiness.
 This peculiar situation was driven home to him by a vivid recollection of what he was going to take her to- that desOlate ranch out there on the Cottonwood. Could she be satisfied? Could she even bear with such condi- tions?
 He saw Mccarthy and the preacher from Buffalo Gap. first telling them frankly. the whole story and gravely pledging both to secrecy. Refusing firmly to receive a cent of the money which Mac promptly offered, he left these two to arrange all details for the wedding. confident of their discre- ton and good judgment. There was no necessity for his seeing the girl again, and, indeed, he felt no inclina- ton to do so. He even shrank from the thought of seeing her, and was profoundly thankful that everything was so completely understood be- tween them as to make another con- ference entirely unnecessary. Satisfied upon this point, he devoted the time remaining at his disposal to purchas- ing the variety of articles made nee eEsary by this sudden change in life. The blackboard was loaded until noth- ing remained unoccupied but the nar- row seat, a huge box. packed full, oc- cupying the rear portion, with bun- dies tied securely here and there about the vehicle, wherever they would ride safely. Over all these he stretch ? ed a tarpaulin to keep out the dust, strapping the latter firmly into place.
 The solemn injunction to secrecy had prevented Ponca from making this occasion one of special celebra- ton, but, nevertheless, rumor had any strictly private ceremony. The parlor of the hotel was already crowd ed with uninvited guests when he fin ally arrived and there was also an overflow meeting in the adjoining din- ing room. Shelby swOre under his breath, but it was too late to protest outwardly, as the Dride-to-be was al- ready waiting his arrival at the foot of the stairs.
 Tn spite of the doubts which had assailad him during the past few hours the sight of her thus awaiting his coming, her eyes meeting his own frankly, sent a sudden thrill through his veins. She was chaperoned by the wife of the principal storekeeper and doubtless others among the few re- spectable women of POnca had con- bined their taste and possessions to properly fit her out for the occasion. Just how the transformation had been accomplished Shelby, being a man woe fully lacking in experience, did not know. but he was wildly aware of the change in her appearance and manner. She was dressed in gray,