Evening star., 1935-04-26
CHAPTER XXvI.
MAN AND WIFE.

IN A plain black and white stree
gown, open prayer book in hand
sat Mabel Webster, apparentl!
i studying the service and entirel!
oblivious of the gala clad GROVE
or the whispers and curious glances
or the necks craning in her direc'
ton
Bud and Nappy retired deeper into
the shadows to laugh silently. GOD
out Mabels made history this day,
Bud got out. II hand it to her.
bet Jane"
Mrs. Northrup was now advancing
Mundells arm. her violet blue satin
skirts trailing after her. Just step
behind her walked the twins, for once
subdred and seemingly under perfect
control.
James held his breath while Mrs,
Northrup passed SO close to Mabel
Webster she all but touched her
Mabel did not look up. Mrs. North
rup, by the grace of God, was talk
ing to Tom and did not see Mabel
But the twins the twins
The twins had stopped in their tracks
and were staring at Miss Webster, up
and down, down and up. A murmur,
a ripple of suppressed excitement and
laughter ran through the church.
Mabel Webster flushed, glared for
a moment at the twins and dropped
to her knees. hiding her hot face in
her hands The twins continued their
unblinking stare. Mrs. Northrup,
sensing the excitement, turned to see
what was the matter, but the twins
were already walking sedately down
the aisle. She beckoned to them to
hurry. herded them into the pew be-
fore her.
Our cue for the sacrifice. Beat
1t. Nappy. Come on, Isaac" Bud COM
manded and James was pushed for
ward out of the safety and comfort
of the darkness.
Here comes the bride! His bride
.. Jane. But where was the bride?
Only girls, dozens of girls in yellow.
They parted at last and made a
f1owery aisle. And there was Jane
coming toward him in a glory OF
white satin and misty lace. her beau
tiful head half bowed. her lovely
mouth little tremulous. as If fright
eneG. fearful. but coming steadily
toward him, to give herself give
herself
All the miserable doubts and clog
cing uncertainty abruptly took flight
James felt exalted, lifted above him.
self. his heart Wrunk by tenderness
for this exquisite fragile girl who was
trusting him with her life more
than her life. Impulsively he made
a step forward so anxious he was to
reassure and comfort Jane. but Bud
put a hand on his arm just in time
The bishops deep sonorous voice
hung for moment over the heads OF
the congregation. and then dropped
gently into their hearts and conscious
ness.
James frightened his hold on James
hand To think that this exquisite
creature had promised not only to
love and cherish, but to obey him!
James was almost light-headed with
happiness as he walked down the aisle
with his new wife on his arm, with
Mendelssohn's wedding March" thun-
dering behind and before and above
them 1t was relief and joy almost
beyond telling to be rid of that hor-
rible clogging depression and those
hideous gnawing doubts. He looked
up and saw Aunt Lou beaming down
from the gallery and just managed
not to shout at her.
The double doors at the back of
the church were opened by unseen
hands. There was Nappy, as digni-
fled as statue on monument.
Two of New Concord's three police
men, Bill Sturges and Johnny Sulli-
van, were on the sidewalk keeping
the crowd in check. Ed Hines had
mis- carriage in place and was man
aging somehow to make his wearied
hacks give an impression Of paving
and prancing. Nappy few ahead,
opened the carriage door, and bowed
Congratulations and best wishes of
the day." Nappy said gravely. Good
luck, Jim. Good luck, Mrs. Stim-
son." called out Bill Three cheers
for the BRIDE cried Johnny, not to
oe outdone. The carriage drove off
to the accompaniment of lusty cheers
with Jane withdrawn in a corner and
James hanging out of the window
laughing and shouting his thanks.
Il wish" said James petulantly, that
you wouldn't be so familiar with COM
mon people; The idea of that police
man calling you jim"
Bill? Why, I've known Bill inti-
mately since was years old"
You aren't years old now, but
I must say you act like ii"
There was loud and uncomfortable
silence for several minutes. Then
James said Stiff1y, We're married now,
Jane I hardly like to begin our
married life . have our first words
like like this"
Jane was Immediately put in the
wrong and nothing so exasperated her
I'm sorry" she said coldly, but if
you had gone through half what I