Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1925-12-24

No answer.
Better put a little pep in it or
you'll have forlorn bridegroom wait
ing at the church
| gave one last look into the long
cheval mirror and caught my breath
had not had 8 chance, to see the
whole effect of my wedding gown on
account of the many girls who had
crowded my room in their friendly
little efforts to assist the bride. Now
| had asked them to leave. Only Mar
jorie Chenworth, who was to by MY
matron-of-honor, remained
| couldn't for the life of me, believe
the tall, slender figure reflected in
the glass. The slim, ivory-tinted gown
with it's myriad rhinestones twinkling
under lengths of misty tulle, gave me
an almost courtly air. |, who had been
many things, but never courtly, in all
my life. The veil, with its coronet
of soft orange-blossoms framed my
face and helped my hair. And then
noticed my eyes. There was new
graveness about them-a sort Of
hushed reverence that l now recalled
in the eyes Of every bride.
Well, don't you think. you've adj
mired yourself enough, old thing-?'
persisted Mari coming up to me and
looking me over from the top Of my
filmy veil to the white satin slippers
with their buckles Of Rosepoint lace,
NO Mari, honestly I'm not doing
that, | was Just thinking, that's ALL
What about?7 gently.
"Oh, just wishing were exactly
what | seem to be in the, glass. / don't
know how to express tits some
thing you feel when you're bride,
s'pose. There's sort of Wilderness
and cleanness and purity that makes
you wish you'd lived in convent all
your life"
Rats, Sallie," comforted Mari, ito
hear you talk one would think you'd
been a wild woman with lurid past
and you've never done anything real
bad at all"
II know, but that isn't the point I
just wish now with all my might that
I'd never taken a cocktail or smoked
cigarette or let anybody kiss me but
Curtiss. Oh, Mari! if you just knew
how much I'd give to come to him
fresh and unspotted, even the least
little bit, by the world" My voice
quavered.
BLESS it's heart Curtiss doesn't
want saint. Some of the most per.
feet idols have feet of clay, Besides
he wants you just as you are, Silly.
So come on now your father has sent
up dozen times for you to come
down. He's dying to see his Sallie
And / don't blame him for honestly,
I've never seen bridier bride"
My wedding night. Before me
stretched the crimson aisle of historic
old St Johns. The rich notes of the
organ we're filling the hushed immen-
sity of the church with the ever-thrill-
ing tones of Lohengrins immortal
march. The wedding procession had
wendell it's way before me up the un-
usually long aisle The bridesmaids
were lovely in their period gowns of
pastel tinted chiffon, their arms laden
with summer blossoms of every hue.
/ placed my hand on my fathers arm
and with nervous fingers held fast to
the huge bouquet of orchids whose
dainty lavender petals fell in graceful
cascades to the hem of my gown.
4 had often wondered what were the
thoughts of a bride as she walks down
the aisle. Mine were disconnected.
There came to me thousand per.
fumes from flowers which banked the
altar and transformed the entire
candlabra, sent their flickering glow
over well-filled pews and on all sides
were murmurs of approval which her
aid the bride. The heavy odor of val
ley-lillies broke in upon my thoughts.
Would | ever see Curtiss in all that
crowd? Why hadn't chosen the
Church of the Good Sheperd which
was friendly and small? At last !
saw him--His eyes met mine. My
heart leaped and l looked quickly
down. Now the minister, in the sum-
ptuous robes of the Episcopal church
repeating the same questions we had
discussed among ourselves each time
there was a possibility of any of us
becoming bride. obey" | had
always maintained that | would leave
that out. Now it would have been a
sacrifice to cut any word from that
sacred rite
81 WILL" l replied, so softly that
only my lips moved | had always
pictured myself speaking out bravely
when it came my turn, had intend
ed that my voice should carry to the
farthest end of the church It should
be unWaVering and firm