The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-01-19
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Accidents viii Happen
RY cLARlasA MAcKIE.

mothers room.
Here I am. mother" she said
Gnietly.
Mrs. Delrnore, recovering from a
badly sprained ankle, leaned for
ward onshar couch. Her fine eyes
were sad. In silence she regarded
her lovely daughter, marked the
1acklo { gayety, the whole look about
her pink lips, and decided that pale
primrose was not quite becoming.
You are lovely, darling" she
4 know what you are thinking,
mother dear" tLucie ran forward
and fell beside the couch. her eyes
hidden against her mothers white
hair), "you are thinking that In.
stead of being Eleanof's bridesmaid
I should be wearing white and
should be marrying" Her voice
shook.
Not Col. Happie-he's quite too
old for Eleanor!"
The interruption had the desired
effect. NO. laughed Lucie, hug.
cling her mother, "but l did think
Won were grieving oyer my broken
enlargement. I am sure It is for
theSbest and that Paul and I never
could be happy together. / believe
1 hear the car; I must go!" She
Kissed her mother passIonately,
paused Iaughingly for one more
brief inspection and vanished from
e|I #tHHHtH
eshe caresI She cares!" mur.
mured Mrs. Delmore regretfully,
thinking OF the two proud young
hearts 'steeled against each other.
- =
Eleanor Gray's mercenary mar.
iriage 70. Col. Happie, who, was
years older than the sparkling
young bride, had been arranged by
an ambitious mother. It was, to
heSaSspiendid affair, taking place in
q large, fashionable church. Lucie
pelr1ore was one OF the eight pretty
bridesmaids who were TO form part
OF the brilliant wedding party.
was ten minutes past the hour
set for the wedding when word
went around that the bride was
coming. The organ was playing
softly, the guests settled them.
\ selves in their seats and prepared
to look at the rlost.taiked.about
marriage OF the season.
Eleanor had rehearsed them all
the night before. The colonel and
his best man would wait at the al.
tar the bridesmaids would go for.
ward on the arms OF various ushers
and they would form a lane through
which Eleanor and her father
would pass TO meet the bridegroom.
TIE coionel's first marriage had
been a military wedding, but this
was to be without martial trap.
pings.
Lleie pelmore waited pensively
as the procession formed; then It
was a shock to discover that she
must walk up.the aisle escorted by
&Pan9paTe, After that her thoughts
were chaotic. The slow, beautiful
music, the soft rustic OF satin
frocks, the scent OF yellow roses
then a sudden, frightened knowl.
edge that something had gone
1 wrong. Lucie and Paul had been
theslast Of the procession Of brides.
maids. Behind them should have
been flower girls and o maid Of
honor, a bride and her father.
Afaint murmur arose somewhere
and was stirled. A hushed whisper
went over the assembled guests.
Someone hurried up To Paul and
murmured dlscreetly-the murmur
was passed on. The organ went on
playing the wedding march, the
clergyman in his white robes wait.
edsa the altar.
Lucie stole a troubled glance over
her shoulder.
The aisle behind them was
empty. Beyond the doors there
was an excited buzzing OF voices
the rest OF the wedding party still
delayed. Had some accident hap.
pened to the bride?
The dapper young ma who had
whispered to Paul Dare tiptoed up
g side aisle and whispered to Col.
Happie, The colonel turned very
red and, followed by the best man,
retreated to 1.-THE vestry. The rector
bent his head to listen to the mes
sage, looked %flustered, hesitated
and lifted his hand.
The music stopped, and as In a
dream Lucie. heard the rector's
voice announcing that the marriage
wouldEn not take place that day. She
saw the dapper youth whispering to
Pan laagain and saw him dart up the
aisle once more. II wal confusing
and she could not look at Paul, for
they were foes. What had happen.
edSto Eleanor?
Then the music began again
tender, dreamfu1.
To her surprise the procession
moved forward. Then the couples
ahead OF them separated and form.
edSa short lane through which Paul
guided her, at first daEedly, then
alarmed, straight to the chancel
rail, where the white.robed Clergy.
man stood looking benignfy down
on the most surprised bride that
ever came to be united In wed.
lock.
pearly beloved. We are gath:
ered" The remainder was an.
other dream from which Lucie Del.
more awakened to find herself the
wife OF Paul Dare. After II was
over there was a wild confusion Of
questions and answers, explana.
ions, and CONSERVATION, ana finally
geie Dare found herself driving
bnie. while PauTsi arms were
rnund her and Paul's lips were
begging forgiveness.
was a very fearful bride and
proud and happy bridegroom who
faced Mrs. Delmore in her pleasant