The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1843-04-27


covered lhs' bed Like sheet q snow.
We stood by while he old woman AZ
rayed her child Tor The bridal. and won-
dered Why her hands should irrmhle 81.
and why The Tears should fll our Lids's
eyes 80 constantly. when she observed
her mothers agitation.
llwas<carcely dark whenwesswa par
~ Of iwoslAdies and two gentlemen cone
ing along the foot path toward The house.
The washerwoman closed The bed room
door, and went out 10 receive her guests.
leaving us with Ihe bride. How beautiful
and pure she looked in The simple dress.
that hadexhausleda all ihe money WHICH her
mother had boarded Cor winter IN The pur-
chase. The black hair which she usual
u wore twisted in one heavy wool over
her head. was now divided into three
rich braids, and knolied together on one
side. Just back Of the ear, BY single
white RISE. Another bud. with The blush
leaves just bursting asunder. lay within
the folds Of sheer muslin that covered her
bosom. When she placed il there, liz.
da's cheek grew pale, and her hands be-
gan 10 tremble, for that moment she heard
Gllberl's step in The next room. Il was
instantly drowned by the voices Of Miss
Warner and The milliner. both in high and
cheerful conversation. That sound only
caused our friend TO tremble The more.
But when her mother came into The rnom.
folded her in her kind embrace. and led
her forward 10 the young man. who came
forward 10 receive her, soft blush broke
over her cheek, and her fingers woye
themselves in his. confidently, as il she
had nothing to fear ihen-yei she could
not help trembling all the time.
BE kind 10 my child said the wash
erwoman. gen,lyi when | was married
to her father. he was prosperous, happy.
and proud as you are. lie died, and left
me in poverty. Ills child has never
heard a harsh word beneath this humble
roof-be gentle TO her as ! have bcen.'
The old woman sat down. and bend
ing her head began TO smooth the folds
OF her faded silk dress, and thus she tri-
ed to conceal the tears that herownsYords
had unlocked.
The young student arose. He had
been wisely chosen by the plotters, for
never was clerical dignity more thorough
" put on. lie looked serious and ear
nest enough TO haysdeceiyed more suspi-
eious persons than Ida and her honest
hearted mother. lie pronouncedthe ce-
remony with impressive solemniiy-so
impressive that Miss Warner and her
companion could hardly suppress their
laughter at his successful acting. u"
The young couple sat down. Ida,
pale, confused and trembling-but Gil
bert was moiionless, and with his eyes
bent steadfastly on The two females who
were little nearer the door. They were
whispering together. Miss Warner seem
ed striving to suppress her inclination TO
mirth I'LL the proper time, and slight gig-s
gle now and then broke from the milliner
at the exquisite success Of their joke.
The washerwoman arose and brought
forth The tray Of cake and wine. Ida
could not taste drop, but she tonched
her lips to the glass, while Gilbert drain
ed his TO the bottom. The milliner was
compelled TO set her wine on the table,
to conceal the laughter which shook her
hand--while Miss Warner gracefully
drank to the bride.
And now said the young lady, Sit
ting down her glass, and busting the
crumbs of cake from her white glayes,
sas our amusement is over for the even
ing, we will return home, if you are rea-
dy. Mr.. Gilbert -
Ida lifted her eyes almost in terror to
the man she believed 10 be her husband,
while the washerwoman arose from her
seat and looked Miss Warner keenly in
the face.
you need not look at me so voracious-
ly, good woman said the unfeeling girl;
. if have lent Mr.. Gilbert to Miss lii
da here, it was for our own mutual a.
musement; but play cannot last forever.
and as it is getting dark, we must go
home again.
Very much delighted with our little
party,' chimed in Miss Smith; if you
ever get up a wedding in earnest this
would be delicate pattern. | trust the
bride will not feel so much exalted that
she cannot come to her work in the morn
ing
The washerwoman was deadly pale
she lifted her hand as ifto enforce silence
on the aippant mcckery with which she
was insulted, and stepping pace forward,
was about to address the man who had
violated the peace Of her home--but Ida
had risen TO her feet, and in trying TO
reach her mother, staggered and would
have fallen, but Gilbert reached forth his
arm, and drawing her to his bosom. kis-
sed her forehead and her PIE lips, while
shetrembled from head to foot.
what means this?' exclaimed Miss
Warner, grasping his arm in passionate
tamazement; what means this, in my
presence sir!'
1T MEANS said Gilbert, who lifted
he hood opd IooLad firmly arounl IL