Evening star., 1928-05-22

which often have strangely gloomy AMI
novels are "Tho Scarlet Letter" and
''The House With the Seven Gables.D
The approaching wedding was the
result of an early engagement, though
there had been two intermediate we'd
dingS on the ladyS part, and 40 years
of celibacy on that of the gentleman.
At 65, Mi Ellenwood was shy. out
not quite a secluded man, selfish, like
all men who brood over their own
hearts, yet manifesting on rare occa-
sions n vein of generous sentiment. He
was often eccentric, and people some
times gossiped about a streak or IN
sanity. But II he were mad 1t was
the consequences. and not the cause,
of an aimleSs life.
The widow was as complete con-
trast to her third bridegroom in every
thing but age as can well be conceived
II would have been singular If any un-
common delicacy of feeling had sur
vived through such life as MRS DAD
ney's: 1t could not be crushed ana
killed by her early disappointment, the
cold duty of her first marriage, tne
dislocation of the hearts principles con-
sequent on the second union, ana inc
unkindness of her Southern husband
which had driven her to connect the
idea of his death with that of her COM
fort. To be brief, she was that wiseSt,
but unlovliest of woman. a philosopher
bearing troubles of the heart with
serenity, dispensing with all that should
have been her happiness and making
the best of what remained
The approaching marriage OF this
woman OF the world with such an UNI
worldly man as Mr.. EllenWood was an
nounced soon after Mrs. Dabney's re-
turn to her native city. People seemed
to think that the lady must have borne
no inactive part in arranging the affalr
All the wonder was now the gentleman,
with his lack of worldly wisdom, and
agonizing consciousness OF ridicule, couio
could have been induced to take q
measure at once so prudent and SO
laughable But while people talked
the wedding day arrived.
By some accident the bridegroom was
a little less punctual than the widow
and her bridal attendants. The gentle
men and ladies composing the bridal
party came through the church door
with the sudden and gladstone effect OF
n burst of sunshine All was youth and
gayety-except the widow. But at the
moment when the brides foot touched
the Threshold, the bell swung heavily
in the lower above and set forth its
deepest knell.
At first the bridal party did not notice
the bell. They approached the altar
with undiminished gayety. All was
splendor--but the principal figure. the
bride, was wrinkled and decayed, while
decked OF. in the brightest of attire, as
II the low hest maiden had suddenly
withered into age and become mortal
to the beautiful around her. Another
stroke of the bell seemed to fill the
church with a visible gloom-this time
the party stopped. wavered, and hud-
died close together
But the widows heroism was admir-
able. She had started with an ire
pressible shudder. as II the stroke Of
the bell had fallen directly on her
heart; then recovering herself. while
her attendants were yet In dismay, she
took the lead and paced calmly up the
aisle. The bell continued to swing,
strike and vibrate with the same dole
full regularity as when corpse Is on
It's way to the tomb.
AS the death-beli tollcd SO mournful-
ly, a hearse, with train Of several
coaches, crept down the street. unex-
pectedly, a dark procession paced into
the church. First came an old man
and woman. like chief mourners at a
funeral Behind appeared another and
another pair, as aged, as black and
mournful as the first. AS they drew
near, the widow recognized in every
face some trait of former friends. long
forgotten, but now returning, as IL from
their old graves. to warm her to prepare
o shroud, or. with purpose almost as
unwelcome, to exhibit their wrinkles
and infirmity. and claim her rs their
aSsx MI q y1fUhf had
she danced with them in youth: and
nowy in joyless age, she felt that some
w1thered partner should request her
hand, and all unite In dance Of death,
to the music of the funeral bell.
When the spectral procession ap-
preached the altar. each couple Sepa-
rated and slowly diverged. TIL, In the
center, appeared a form that had been
Worthily ushered In with all this gloomy
pomp, the deathknell. and the funeral.
II was the bridegroom In his shroud.!
No garb but that Of the grave could
have befitted such deathlike aspect.
The eyes, indeed, had the wild CLEAN cf
q scpulchral lamp; all else was fixed In
the stern calmness which old men wear
In the coffin.
Come. my bride" said those pale
bps. 1.-The hcarse Is ready The sexton
stands waiting for lis at the door OF the
tomb Let us be married; and then to
our coffins"
The whole scene expressed by the
strongest imagery the vain struggle OF
the gilded vanities Of this world when
opposed to age, infirmity, sorrow and
death.
you deem this mockery," said the
hollow tones Of the groom. Perhaps
you think IL madness. But had / be-
dizened my aged and broken frame
with scarlet embroidery. had forced
my withered lips to smile at my dead