The Illegal Marriage — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

252 THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. — Stannard knew nothing; for she knew that a thou- sand critical eves would be turned upon her, and that every item of her costume would be the subject of remark. It was late ere Cecy could close her eyes in sleep; yet before the sun came into her chamber window on that first of May—the eventful day in the life of this fair girl—she was up and ready for her friends, who seemed to enjoy so much the task of robing her for the altar. Again and again thev had admired her, turning her about to catch the varied effects. smoothing a fold in her dress, or bending a flower in her wreath, until master-hands had performed their work complete. Cecy’s heart fluttered as she listened to their praise and wondered if he, too, would like her ap- earance as well; but it fluttered still more as she eard the carriage at the door, and a minute after caught the sound of his step in the hall. How grand he looked to her then, as with a quick step and his own sweet smile. he came forward to greet her! Was he not the hero of her life’s romance? “You are beautiful, indeed, Cecy,” he whispered in her ear. “Oh, my darling, you do not know how beautiful you are to me!” She took his arm at the door, and a troop of bridesmaids and groomsmen -gathered around them. Again he whispered to her as they were driving to the church. “How beautiful you are, Cecv! I wonder if a man could be prouder of a woman than J am of you?” What to her were the praises of her friends then? Ae Oras from his lips were music to her very soul! : The church was crowded when thev arrived, and side bv side they walked up the aisle. And in all that congregation there was not one who did not call her a beautiful bride. Her rich white satin robe, her costlv laces, her Tare wreath of orange flowers, the string of pearls "*comicbooks (Efe)