The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-20
Euening Story
Accidents viii Happen.
81 CLARIsSA MACKIE.


Lucie gave one last defiant glance
at her charming reflection in the
cheFal glass, turned gravely and went
to her mothers room.
Here I am. mother" she said
quietly
Mrs. Delmore, recovering from a
badly sprained ankle. leaned forward
on her couch. Her fine eyes where sad.
In silence she regarded her lovely
daughter. marked the lack of gayety,
the white look about her pink lips, and
decided that pale primrose was not
quite becoming.
You are lovely, darling" she said.
Il know what you are thinking,
mother dear" (Lucie ran forward and
fell beside the couch, her eyes hidden
against her mothers white hair), you
are thinking that instead of being
Eleanor's bridesmaid I should be
wearing white and should be marry
ing Her voice shook.
mot Col. Happie-he's quite too old
for Eleanor!''
The interruption had the desired
effect. NO" laughed Lucie, hugging
her mother, 'but I did think you were
grieying over my broken engagement
am sure it is for the best and that
Paul and I never could be happy to-
gether- I believe / hear the car;
must go!' She kissed her mother
pass1onately, paused laughingly for
one more brief inspection and van
ished from the quiet room.
"She cares! she cares!" murmured
Mrs. Delmore regretfully. thinking of
the two proud young hearts steeled
against each other.
Eleanor Grays meroenary marriage
to Col. Happie, who .zas years older
than the sparkling young bride, had
been arranged by an ambitious mother
1t was to be a splendid affair, taking
place in a large, fashionable church.
Lucie Delmore was one of the eight
pretty bridesmaids who were to form
part of the brilliant wedding party.
1t 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 themselves in their seats
and prepared to look at the most
talked-about marriage of the season.
Eleanor had .rehearsed them all the
night before. The colonel and his
best man wcdld wait at the altar, the
bridesmaids would go forward on the
arms of various ushers and they would
form lane thru which Eleanor and
her father would pass to meet the
bridegroom. The coloneTs first mar
riage had been a military wedding,
but this was to be without martial
trappings.
the procession formed; then it was a
shock to discover that she must walk
up the aisle escorted by Paul Dare.
After that her thoughts were chaotic.
The slow, beautiful music, the soft
rustic of satin froclks, the scent of yell
low roses-then a sudden, frightened
knowledge that something had gone
wrong. Lucie and Paul had been the
last of the procession OF bridesmaids.
Behind them should have been flower
girls and a maid of honor, bride and
her father.
A faint murmur arose somewhere
and was stilled. A hushed whisper
went over the assembled guests. Some
one hurried up to Paul and MUIR
INJURED discreetiy-the murmur was
passed on The=organ went on play
ing the wedding march. the clergyman
in his white robes waited at 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 notes.-the rest of the we'd
ding party still delayed. Had some ac-
cident happened to the bride?
The dapper young man who had
whispered to Paul Dare tiptoed up a
side aisle and whispered to Colonel
Happie. The colonel turned very red,
and, followed by the best man, re-
treated to the vestry. The rector bent
his head to listen TO the message,
looked frustrated, hesitated and lifted
his hand.
The music stopped, and as in a
dream Lucie heard the rector's voice
announcing that the marriage would
not take place that day. She saw the
dapper youth whispering to Paul
again and saw him dart up the aisle
once more. It was confusing and she
could not look at Paul, for they were
foes! What had happened to Eleanor?
Then the music began again---ten-
der dreamful.
To her surprise the procession
moved forward. Then the couples
ahead of them separated and formed
short lane thru which Paul guided
her, at first dazedly. then alarmed,
straight to the chaneel rail, where the
white-robed clergyman stood looking
benignly down on the most surprised