An Interrupted Wedding, or Marion Marlowe as Maid of Honor — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

aT MY QUEEN. 15 “Miss Allyn is no stickler for convention- alities,” laughed Mr. Everett, as they started _ down the aisle. ‘She told me herself that she wanted to have a picnic at her wedding, so if you had brought your lunch baskets it wouldn’t matter.” “I’m dying to see Marion,” whispered Tom, as he accepted the seat, “I'll bet she'll look stunning in her bridesmaid’s costume.” “Of course she will! She couldn’t help it! Make yourselves comfortable now while I attend to the others. Whew! What a lot - of unbidden guests are coming to the wed- ding!’ was Everett’s answer. Flora turned half around in her seat and glanced at the group that had just entered. “They had lots of nerve, that is all I have to say! They must be overstocked with curiosity to come where they are not want- ed, she said, softly. “Miss Allyn won’t care, so don’t get riled, Flo,” whispered her husband, and, just at that moment, Bert ushered another couple into the same seat and warm greetings fol- lowed. “Oh, Miss Ray! I am so glad to see you!” cried Flora, enthusiastically, as she shook hands with a stately young woman, and then bowed to her escort, who was the city editor of one of the principal papers. The next moment the minister appeared at the chancel. “Hush! They are coming!” whispered Villard, as a crash from the organ overhead betokened the hour for the service, then as the first chords of the wedding march floated forth, Mr. Fairfax, accompanied by Dr. Brookes, took his place at the. right of the minister. te “Looks worried, but happy, s¢ muttered ae ° Flora, as she stared at him; then her atten- tion was called to the appearance of the bridal party, which was slowly walking up the main aisle toward the beautifully decor- ated altar. “Bert feels his oats, and my! isn’t he hand- some!” whispered Flora, again. “And, dear me! How lovely my brother looks! Really, I never knew Howard was such a fine look- ing fellow.” “Isn’t Dollie sweet ?” murmured Miss Ray, cautiously, “and the young lady with her is as pretty as a peach! By the way, she is Bert Jackson’s fiancée, isn’t she?” Flora nodded her head and then half rose on tiptoe, for she had just caught the first glimpse of Marion. The young girl had not forgotten the rule of etiquette, which says to never try to out- shine a bride at her own wedding, but, even” in her simple white dress, her beauty was resplendent. It was impossible to hide or even modify it. She was carrying a huge basket of flowers with unconscious grace, and her eyes were shining like stars at the thought of Alma’s happiness. A moment later there was a little gasp of astonishment from each of Alma’s friends, for the bride-elect, who was not really a beautiful girl, appeared, looking positively queenly in her bridal finery. She walked with a graceful step and there was a smile upon her lips, but those who were nearest could see that her face was pallid. That she was still worrying about her sis- ter was apparent to those who knew the secret, but she was trying bravely to conceal her fears, and as she leaned upon her hand- some escort she smiled up at him brightly. “Archie is grand!’ whispered Flora again, when she had recovered a little. “He is just tall enough and distinguished enough to look well with Alma. She couldn’t have chosen a better ‘father!’ ”’ “TI was so amused when Archie told me,” began Miss Ray, and then the organ ceased and the bridal party stood silent, while every ‘eye in the church was riveted upon the clergyman. But the first words of the service had not been spoken when there was a little stir near “ the door. Two. men had entered the church, closely followed by one of the detectives, and as they took seats noisily on the side aisle in a pew near the chancel, even the bride turned her head and glanced at them uneasily. “Well, of all things,” whispered Flora Vil- lard, but her husband raised his finger to silence her. The next second the voice of the.clerey- CONDICOOOKES. CO