"But may they not be groundless? Would it be wise at this late hour? Oh! Truth - dear heart, come, dry your tears; it may be best after all to go to your lover at once and trust him to allay your fears and dismal forebodings."

"The bells! Merciful heavens!" - sighed Truth.

The musical cadence of each peal struck an aching chord in her heart; she trembled and cried out like one in despair: "Oh, God! give me strength in this hour of my trial." Without hesitating another moment she quickly left the room and entered the one in which Vallero was impatiently awaiting her coming.

Eagerly with outstretched arms he came to meet her.. "At last, my darling, my beautiful one, mine alone within the hour." His voice vibrated with a tone of passionate triumph. His eyes devoured her hungrily, then embracing her in his strong arms, he kissed her passionately again and again.

White as death but with the courage born of extremity, Truth resolutely freed herself from his embrace, her eyes meeting his unflinchingly. "Clarence, there is something I must tell you before we take upon ourselves the sacred obligation of the marriage bond.

"Clarence, you can help if you will - be generous and hear me patiently, I implore you. I feel that we have made a grievous mistake, that neither of us have fully realized the solemnity of the step we are about to take. I should never have permitted myself to be unduly influenced in a matter of such vital importance. You, Clarence, are aware of the influence that has been brought to bear upon me; in my ignorance I mistook this fascinating spell for love, which of late has turned into fear - a fear that terrifies me.

"Merely the fanciful creation of a morbid imagination, dearest," interrupted Clarence. "Just now you are a trifle unstrung with all this 'fuss and feathers.' Take my word, sweetheart, when once we are married and quietly settled you will laugh at your silly fears; they will vanish like ghosts at the coming of dawn."

"Ah, Clarence, these ghosts will not vanish - they have haunted me day and night. Listen, Clarence, I implore you before it is too late. If we are strong and have the moral courage to brave the world's opinion, our lives need not be ruined; even now there is time to escape from a path that leads to a dangerous precipice."

"If it were, I would rather leap to destruction with my darling in my arms than tread the dull path of life without you. To lose you now, at the last moment, would be unbearable.

"No! Truth, it is too late! Hark! The last call of the bells that is summoning us to the church! Come, kiss me darling, don't you see how unthinkable such a course would be? Dismiss your dire forebodings. You will have nothing to regret in our future life together. Come, sweetheart, look into my eyes and let me hear you say: 'Clarence, I love you.' " His piercing look compelled her gaze, his fingers touched her brow caressingly, his magnetic power overwhelmed her; she grew faint with a delicious languor, then slowly, like a child she repeated the words: "I - love - you - I------"

"Dear children, the carriages are waiting, we must hasten or we shall be late." Her mother's voice aroused Truth from her dazed senses and strange listlessness.

Mrs. Ralston entered with beaming countenance, extending both hands in greeting to Vallero, then turning to Truth: "Why, how pale you are, child." She patted her cheeks affectionately and kissed her on the brow. "You surely are not frightened and going to retreat in a panic at the very last minute. Here, take my smelling salts; this will help you." Then she proceeded to adjust the filmy folds of her daughter's bridal veil, quoting lightly the while:

"Hear the mellow wedding bells,

Golden Bells! What a world of happiness their harmony foretells."

Turning to the door she called: "Come along, little ones," whereupon Faith, accompanied by a group of laughing bridesmaids and little flower girls, entered. Immediately all was flutter and confusion. Then, for a few moments, Truth buried her face in the blossoms of her bouquet - when she lifted it, a transformation shone out from her averted eyes - she took Vallero's extended arm and together they entered the waiting carriage, followed by the bridal party.

Arriving at the little chapel, the deep-toned organ pealed forth the strains of the wedding march; slowly they advanced to the altar where a man of stately presence greeted them, with grave and gentle dignity. Softly the choir sang the nuptial song. As the rhythmic melody died away, Adoni Bourdalone raised his head from silent prayer and turned to the fashionable throng that filled the little church to overflowing and solemnly began the marriage service:

• • .

"Friends, you are assembled here to witness the most solemn act that can take place in the life of any mortal being. An act which should be consummated only upon the foundation of purest love. A love, that knows its own before it takes upon itself the holy marriage vow.

"True marriage is not the union of bodies, but the union of souls, the most sacred bond of humanity blended with love divine- Without the abiding bond of deep spiritual union; without the holy sanctification of love, which transmutes the desire for physicial union into the deeper, more permanent and complete union of soul and body, there can be no real marriage. Love, being the fundamental principle of life, is its own justification. Man ignores and violates this great spiritual law, and turns the holy temple of love into a money changer's den, profaning this holy of holies with commercialism, making of this priceless treasure a thing to be traded upon; making the marriage relation a cloak for the gratification of unholy desire, dragging the fair name of love through the mire of sensuality.

"Until we learn to regard love reverently, the world will be filled with tragedies. When the holy nature of marriage crystallizes into greater clearness the old idea of proprietorship in another must yield to a saner, more humane, moral and divine attitude of mind.

"We are now in a transitional stage wherein the old thoughts and customs of yesterday and today are in conflict. Let us pray that out of this conflict there will come a state of spiritual understanding of love and truth, expressing fearlessly the aspirations and longings of pure souls.

"The law of such a love is perfect freedom, suffers no constraint, and refuses to accept an affection not freely and sacredly given. True love does not snatch at the immortal flower of life and in the frenzy of unbridled passion, destroy the bloom and beauty that is rightly undying.

"The laws of love are the most difficult lessons humanity has to learn, and it behooves you, who are about to assume this sacred relationship, to understand and obey these laws so vital and necessary to a true marriage, a union which should be in harmony with God's eternal laws."

An awed stillness held the listening throng as Adoni ceased to speak.

Truth shivered but cast her eyes downward as the solemn words trembled from Adoni's lips. She scarcely heard the responses of Vallero. A cold weight seemed to press upon her heart. It would be her turn to speak next. It was coming. Merciful heaven! How could she go on? A numbness crept over her; then her body swayed slightly. She heard the inexorable voice: "Wilt thou,.Truth Ralston, take this man to be thy wedded husband, to love------?"

"Love," she breathed prayerfully. "Oh, God, give me strength to do what is right." Drawn by an irresistible force, she raised her eyes imploringly to those of Adoni Bourdalone. Their eyes met in a mutual glance of sympathy - she felt its electric thrill penetrate to the depths of her heart - what a revelation at this supreme moment! Vallero's fingers tightened over hers - his head was bent to a level with her own; his piercing eyes riveted upon her face. A pause, long and terrible ensued------!

Slowly, the pastor repeated the words, Vallero bending closer to the shivering form, entreated:

"Truth, my darling, try to compose yourself - repeat the words after him." Another ceaseless pause - then, like one in a trance, the toneless voice, falteringly responded: "I, Truth Ralston, take thee, Clarence Vallero------" what followed was vague murmur, with now and then a word distinctly spoken. The last words, "till death do us part," fell on the tense silence like a broken echo. Presently Truth became aware that Vallero was placing the wedding ring upon her finger. Then, another hand was placed upon hers, and the deep voice of Adoni Bourdalone trembled - ! "What God hath joined together no man can keep asunder"

Slowly, the priest raised his hands in benediction, and all was silent, save the murmur of surprise, that ran through the audience, at the change, in the accepted form of marriage words pronounced.

At their close, the organ began to play. Truth leaned on Vallero's arm, and without a tear or smile, passed down the aisle and out of the church, "a wife in name only."

The flood of joyous melody that filled the church at the close of the ceremony was powerless to dispel the tragic gloom that hung like a pall over the assemblage. They gazed into each others faces in consternation. By that quick instinct which takes possession of a multitude at great moments, they understood that God's law had been ruthlessly violated; the feeling that they had witnessed a life tragedy was in every heart. Instead of an atmosphere of joy and solemn gladness, the dark portent of sorrow was reflected on each face.

Slowly the guests passed out of the chapel. The golden notes of the organ rose and swelled to a triumphant climax, then gradually they grew softer, fainter and finally died away.

The silence and gloom of the church deepened, drifting shadows filled the little chapel, where alone, the motionless figure of Adoni Bourdalone was left standing at the altar.