Part 5 (1/2)
Breakfast over, the guests discreetly removed themselves; and the whole family joined in resetting the table for the luncheon, which was to be at two, Katy and Ned departing in the boat at four. It was a simple but abundant repast, with plenty of delicious home-cooked food,--oysters and salads and cold chicken; fresh salmon from Lake Superior; a big Virginia ham baked to perfection, red and translucent to its savory centre; hot coffee, and quant.i.ties of Debby's perfect rolls. There were strawberries, also, and ice-cream, and the best of home-made cake and jellies, and everywhere vases of fresh roses to perfume the feast. When all was arranged, there was still time for Katy to make Cousin Helen a visit, and then go to her room for a quiet rest before dressing; and still that same unhurried air pervaded the house.
There had been a little discussion the night before as to just how the bride should make her appearance at the decisive moment; but Katy had settled it by saying simply that she should come downstairs, and Ned could meet her at the foot of the staircase.
”It is the simplest way,” she said; ”and you know I don't want any fuss. I will just come down.”
”I dare say she's right,” remarked Rose; ”but it seems to me to require a great deal of courage.”
And after all, it didn't. The simple and natural way of doing a thing generally turns out the easiest. Clover helped Katy to put on the wedding-gown of soft c.r.a.pe and creamy white silk. It was trimmed with old lace and knots of ribbon, and Katy wore with it two or three white roses which Ned had brought her, and a pearl pendant which was his gift. Then Clover had to go downstairs to receive the guests, and see that Cousin Helen's sofa was put in the right place; and Rose, who remained behind, had the pleasure of arranging Katy's veil. The yellow-white of the old blonde was very becoming, and altogether, the effect, though not ”stylish,” was very sweet. Katy was a little pale, but otherwise exactly like her usual self, with no tremors or self-consciousness.
Presently little Rose came up with a message.
”Aunty Tover says dat Dr. Tone has tum, and everything is weddy, and you'd better tum down,” she announced.
Katy gave Rose a last kiss, and went down the hall. But little Rose was so fascinated by the appearance of the white dress and veil that she kept fast hold of Katy's hand, disregarding her mother's suggestion that she should slip down the back staircase, as she herself proposed to do.
”No, I want to do with my Aunt Taty,” she persisted.
So it chanced that Katy came downstairs with pretty little Rose clinging to her like a sort of impromptu bridesmaid; and meeting Ned's eyes as he stood at the foot waiting for her, she forgot herself, lost the little sense of shyness which was creeping over her, and responded to his look with a tender, brilliant smile. The light from the hall-door caught her face and figure just then, the color flashed into her cheeks; and she looked like a beautiful, happy picture of a bride, and all by accident,--which was the best thing about it; for pre-arranged effects are not always effective, and are apt to betray their pre-arrangement.
Then Katy took Ned's arm, little Rose let go her hand, and they went into the parlor and were married.
Dr. Stone had an old-fas.h.i.+oned and very solemn wedding service which he was accustomed to use on such occasions. He generally spoke of the bride as ”Thy handmaiden,” which was a form that Clover particularly deprecated. He had also been known to advert to the world where there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage as a great improvement on this, which seemed, to say the least, an unfortunate allusion under the circ.u.mstances. But upon this occasion his feelings were warmed and touched, and he called Katy ”My dear child,” which was much better than ”Thy handmaiden.”
When the ceremony was over, Ned kissed Katy, and her father kissed her, and the girls and Dorry and Phil; and then, without waiting for any one else, she left her place and went straight to where Cousin Helen lay on her sofa, watching the scene with those clear, tender eyes in which no shadow of past regrets could be detected. Katy knelt down beside her, and they exchanged a long, silent embrace. There was no need for words between hearts which knew each other so well.
After that for a little while all was congratulations and good wishes. I think no bride ever carried more hearty good-will into her new life than did my Katy. All sorts of people took Ned off into corners to tell him privately what a fortunate person he was in winning such a wife. Each fresh confidence of this sort was a fresh delight to him, he so thoroughly agreed with it.
”She's a prize, sir!--she's a prize!” old Mr. Worrett kept repeating, shaking Ned's hand with each repet.i.tion. Mrs. Worrett had not been able to come. She never left home now on account of the prevailing weakness of carryalls; but she sent Katy her best love and a gorgeous broom made of the tails of her own peac.o.c.ks.
”Aren't you sorry you are not going to stay and have a nice time with us all, and help eat up the rest of the cake?” demanded Clover, as she put her head into the carriage for a last kiss, two hours later.
”Very!” said Katy; but she didn't look sorry at all.
”There's one comfort,” Clover remarked valiantly, as she walked back to the house with her arm round Rose's waist. ”She's coming back in December, when the s.h.i.+p sails, and as likely as not she will stay a year, or perhaps two. That's what I like about the navy. You can eat your cake, and have it too. Husbands go off for good long times, and leave their wives behind them. I think it's delightful!”
”I wonder if Katy will think it quite so delightful,” remarked Rose.
”Girls are not always so anxious to s.h.i.+p their husbands off for what you call 'good long times.'”
”I think she ought. It seems to me perfectly unnatural that any one should want to leave her own family and go away for always. I like Ned dearly, but except for this blessed arrangement about going to sea, I don't see how Katy could.”
”Clover, you are a goose. You'll be wiser one of these days, see if you aren't,” was Rose's only reply.
CHAPTER IV.
TWO LONG YEARS IN ONE SHORT CHAPTER.
Katy's absence left a sad blank in the household. Every one missed her, but n.o.body so much as Clover, who all her life long had been her room-mate, confidante, and intimate friend.
It was a great help that Rose was there for the first three lonely days.