A SOCIETY EVENT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 140, 7 March 1908, Page 11

A SOCIETY EVENT.

Mr. 'James Moore's rubber-tired buggy rolled swiftly over the road to the minister's. The'Mav.sunshine glimmered on blossoming fruit trees and dandelion-dotted fields, but the beauty of meadow and hillside held no oliarm that 'morning for Mr.' Moore and his companion. The latter was, apparently, chiefly concerned, with' maintaining her hat at tlio correct angle. . "Jim!" sho cried, suddenly, having altered tlio direction of a hat-pin to her satisfac-

tion, "let's be married by Dr. 'Saunders instead of our own minister. He has a D.D. to his name, and it'll look' better in the papers." 1 "In the papers?" repeated Jim, mystified. "Yes, in the society notes," complacently. "It's four miles further, and I've corn to plant ou tho north hill this afternoon," said Mr. Moore, dubiously. "You'ro not going to plant corn on your wedding day, Jim Moore, if 1 know anything," said his prospective better-half, emphatically; "and I'll be married by Dr. Saunders, or'nobody." ■ ' ■ ; Which settled it. At 10 o'clock the buggy stood at tho parsonage gate, and'in tho parlour tho, couplo awaited the return of'the Rev. Win. Saunders, D.D.,; who was officiate ,ing at a funeral. Tho minister's wife'was trying to entertain them, while she wonderecf if tho rice on tho kitchen stove had boiled itself dry. Tho bride-elect, after a critical survey of the furniture, remarked in a torio sweetly persuasive: • . ■ "'Wouldn't it be' nice—niorq fashionable, you know —to' bo married in ■ the church 'just down the street, isn't it? ,Aiid, Mrs. Saunders, mayn't I go upstairs and spruco up a bit?" ■ ' . ' Ififteen-ycar-old Gladys took the lady to the snare room, quito excited by the rare chance of waiting on a bride. Miss Johnston divested herself leisurely of her hat and 'veil, tried to smooth out tho'creases in her starched muslin ruffles, and proceeded to rearrange her hair. v , , "Oil, say!" sho cried, when a wonderiul collection of hair-pins, side-combs,' ribbon bows, pads and fancy pins covered \i /tho

loon met Mrs. Martin, arrayed in a faded )rint wrapper, a red shawl about her shoullers, and a boy's cap on her head. "Oh, Mrs. Martin!" breathlessly, "there s i couple up at our house wanting to get ' Harried, and slio'd like a wedding march — )an't ho married without one " " 'Frnid 1 don't know how to play such a thing, Gladys, but if I'd the music, perhaps "I might manage it. Let mo see, maybo Mrs. Robinson might have one." Mrs. Robinson, the choir leader,, searched ! her music for a wedding march, but found none. Then she bethought herself of an ac-. ■ quaintance across the road who had a daugli- ; ler at college, and Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" proved to bo in tho pile, of music sho had left behind. "It looks most dreadful hard," said the' organist, eyeing the notes with puckered brow. "Isn't there anything easier?" "Here's a two-step, but it's hardly tho thing for a wedding, especially in church, now is it?" said Mrs. Robinson. "It's a great sight easier than tho march. I couldn't manage that nohow. I'm sure it. don't matter, for they won't bb thinking of tho music just about that time. But, my . goodness, Mrs. Robinson, what a sight I am! I just put on the boiler to wash when I met Gladys. I certainly can't go to a Weddings in this rag." \ "And they're waiting all this time," put 'in Gladys, eagei; for further action. "Come into the bedroom and tf'll fix you up," said Mrs. • Robinson. • " The organist presently reappeared in a black cashmere, evidently rather tight about , the waist, and somewhat short at the ankles, a hat five years too young for her; and gloves a sizo and a half too large. , On their way back to the parsonage they stopped at the schoolhouso to send Mrs. Martin's little boy home to take tho-wash-boiler off the stove. It was' then almost 1 12 o'clock. Tho minister had returned from tho funeral, and was in tho parlour keeping up the bridegroom's courage; tho minister's wife was -getting dinner in the kitchen,' whilo tho bride, in tho spare room, was composing an account of the wedding for the newspapers. ; '"Gladys," she said, surveying herself again in the mirror, "I .really don't see how I can-be married without a -bridesmaid. Wouldn't you like to officiate?" • So Gladys hurried into her best dress, a royal blue serge, v.'itb whito military braid, and put on her new spring hat, gay, with poppies. Mrs. Saunders also made a hasty toilet, and all seemed ready for the belated ceremony. At tho last moment, however, Gladys had to go to the garden for bridal bouquets of purple lilacs, and there was some further delay in the church porch, while tho excited bridesmaid was being drilled in her role by the imperturbable bride.' Tho knot was at length securely tied, ; and Mrs. Martin's rendering of the two-step on the loud-toned' reed organ was certainlyall that could be expected. After, tho ceremony the . blushing. bride ■promptly acceptcd tho minister's invitation to dinner at the parsonage. . _ _ Then was the minister's wife in despair. "Whatever• shall I do?" sho said, appealingly, to the organist; who came out to the ' kitclion to assist in the preparation of the bridal meal. .."Gladys has just'been to tho villago for fresh meat, and thero is none to bo had* There is nothing in the houso but ham, and what a dish for a wedding party!" "Ham and eggs will do vory well," said Mrs. Martin, with decision. "I daresay, with all her air,?, it's as good as she's used to at home." Half an hour later the entire company wero dining on ham, eggs, and cabbago salad.' Tbo rico pudding -was a success,, and a remnant of Christmas cake did'excellent duty as wedding cake. • ... "Wliiit was the name of that lovely wedding march you played?" asked tlie 1 newly- ; married Mrs.' Moorei' as sho arose .to take' leave. ' . , , - . ... - "Let me see - , what is the'name of it, 'said "Mrs. Martin, apostrophising' the, ceiling. "Meddlo'son, no, not Meddleson—really it's quite slipped my memory." . ' '' : ' "Well, it don't matter. Thanks for your kindness, Mrs. Saunders, and hope we've put'you to no inconvenience. I suppose you have tho rice .ready/ Gladys. .Well, ,-goodj bye. Comb and seo us when we're settled. ' The following paragraph appeared in, the next issue of "The Hornvillo News":— _ "A very pretty wedding took place in Parkvillo Church on .Wednesday last, being the occasion of tho. marriage "of Mr. James Moore to. Miss Catherine, (Kate) Johnston. The coromony was performed, by Rev'. Wm. Saunders, D:D. Tho .\brido looked*charming in a .white organdie, trimmed with , valonciennes lace,.and a picture hat,.and carried a magnificent bouquet of- whito roses. Tho bridesmaid, Miss Gladys Saunders, .wore nilo green crcpe do Chine, and carried piiik roses. The wedding march was brilliantly rendered, by the organist, Mrs. Martin. After'the ceremony a wedding breakfast was partaken of at tho parsonage, after which the happy couple left on their honeymoon trip amid a shower of rice and good wishes." —Frances Leo, in tho "Toronto Globe." , , According to a South African paper tho world is to lose its biggest, diamond, and Queen Alexandra, is to gain/ a magnificent jewel. The great Cullinane diamond is to be cut into three, and the largest stone is to be given to the Queen. The work-of cutting tho gem has been entrusted to Amsterdam diamond cutters, .much/to the wrath of their London rivals. I ;V