The Mission of Poubalov — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

A WEDDING BUT RATHER LATE CHAPTER I. THEIR WEDDING MORNING. Ivan pulled aside the curtain and looked up at the sky. It was as clear as crystal, as blue as the eyes of his be- loved, the promise fulfilled of a perfect day. On a win- dow cornice across the street a tiny bird perked his head toward the sun and chirped noisily. Toa lively imagina- tion kindled by fond anticipations the twittering of the bird would have seemed like music. So it was to Ivan. His heart responded with unformed melodies, and some of their stray notes found their way humming to his throat as he hastened his toilet. A long process it was in spite of his haste. Every outer garment, though but yesterday brought by the tailor, had to be brushed with exquisite care, and when it came to adjusting his tie, what with finding in the light of this beautiful morning that not one of the numerous as- sortment seemed to be bright enough for the occasion, and having rejected allin turn, and having selected one at last that might be made to do, and having found the knot and loosed it—well, time had passed, and under ordi- nary circumstances patience might have gone with it. Or- dinary, the circumstances were not, and if they had been I presume any tie could have, and would have been thrown together ina shape not less pleasing than that which finally caused him to turn from the mirror in cheer- ful despair and ring for breakfast. COMICMOOCKKS.GOnm