CHAPTER IX. A STRANGE BRIDAL.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 91, 28 February 1885, Page 4

CHAPTER IX. A STRANGE BRIDAL.

' And all thcss thing 3 were and were not ! " — Thnnyson. In tho drawing room below were assembled a very few intimate friends. Mr Claflio, in bruaicloth and diamonds, was ridiculously r and radiant He needed but a powdeving of snow uni a sprig of holly to look like the King Chris? trmis of chimney fame. The guests with a double meaning whispered " December !" The bride appeared pale, drooping, but very graceful and lovely, notwithstanding, H^r costume ot silver grey was a marvel of quier elegance. The wide plumed hit to maich shaded the fair face. The fourth linger ot the left glove was ripped as is customary The minister stood waiting. Bride and groom-eltct advanc d. The guests formed a semi circle. A few words, questions, responses, then it wa* all over. The bride turned to Aunt Dorothy, kissed her once, twice, many times, then relapsed into silence and li&tlessness. Then followed a -oj inn to the dining-room. There w.-is much glitter of silver, sparkle of cut gla-s, popping of champagne coiks, buzzing of conversation, congratulations of the guests, hilarity on the part; of the groom, exuberant satisfaction on that of Colonel Vernell, ihe general pandemonium, which in however small a gathering, follows a wedding. Some one suddenly discovered it was very Lite. They would miss the train. They must make haste. The carriage was at the uoor. Tha trunks were all up, yeAnd now, good by, and good luck ! And where was the niece'/ And who would volunteer a slipper, what self-confident Ciderelli? And now the ha-ty farewells wra said. And now the bride takes her hu-sban^ s arm. They run down the steps They arj in the carriage The steps are white with rice. The driver cracks his whip importantly. The horses strain. The wheels turn. They are off. And in the house they leas^ethe spasmodic and fictitious gaiety goes out like a snuffed can ile. The tew women whisper to each other that it is a sacrifice. And the men decUre confidentially that it i« a be istly shame. Colonel Vernell alone is jubilant. VoyleV absence is p'au-ibly explained. Soon al disband, finding the extuement of half an hour ago li it ami dead a* ) esterday's champagne. Anl little Aunt Dorothy creeps away to her room, leiving Vernell sitting in solidary state and satisfaction over his bottle of Curacoa, creeps away to sob, and shake, and weep till her poor uld ey s are dim arid weary. Meanwhile at Madison s f reet and Wabash Avenue the bridal equipptge conies to a full Stop. Jonas looks out. " "What are you stopping for? Go on !" he shouts. " Can't, sir ! Can't get through. There's gome kind of a row.'' Sure enough, The carriage is densely surrounded "Go back then. Go round by Statestreet !" he yells. i "Can't do tnat neither, sir. Can't get out at all. It's a tire. Have to wait till the engines pass." And wait they do. When the engines have passed Jonas pulls out his watch and consults ifc. Again he leans out of the window. " It's too !a f e to try and make the train now Drive to the Palmer House." There at the desk he makes inquiries Yes, the bridal apartments on the first floor are unoccup cd. He may have them. Mrs Cuflin playfully takes the keys from his hand as they go up in the elevator. At the door of the magnificent suit she turns to him coolly. " Good mght. You will please procure another room " " What!" He -taggers back blankly. " I say you shall not enter " And now the voice that speaks is curiously deep and resolute. '• Good heaven*, Vella ! Don't be foolish, chitd. You're my wife now, you know." Jt is well the long corridor is deserted. "If I am,' 7 in sudden passion, 'you know what has made me such - fraud scheming, foulest treachery. It as you say I am your wife, I shall be -listen, JonaClaflin, 1 sten !" for he actually shrink? away from that death -white face, tho-^e flaming eyes, "if I am. as surely as there is a heaven- above us I shall be your wife in name only - now go !" There is the swish of silvery draperies The door closes. The key turns— clicks — locks.