Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-05-31
9 Srlttt Gale.
From Frazers' Magazine.
THE FIRST BRIDAL VISIT.
PART III
PART III
CONCi.CDED.

| all the goou foIkS TOOK IN my preparations
for this ball. They actually insisted on q re-
hearsal Of the lace dress and diamond and
turquoise set. MIR. Dannst.r lifted he Oh
the table turing me round like doll, and
examined even my shoes. He was pleased to
compliment me SO much that Laurston
thought fit to interpose. Mrs. Bannister said
/ ought to enact the Fairy Queen. Lydia,
my youngest niece, said, as had so often
done, "Wall, it was fine thing to be mar
ried!" Just then, on my pinnacle of glory. |
thought SO too, and looked forward 10 this
bali with exulting feelings. / srrang off the
table, and as Mr. Bannister caught me in his
arms he observed, with a merry twinkle in his
round eyes, that twas well lie was an old
man" lie glanced at Lnurston as he added.
| pointing over his shoulder at him, He
wouldn't approve Of your playing such pranks
with Il certain friend of ours. My niece Mar
tha Uttered inordinately. Lauriston flung
back his coat. as observed he always did
when nettled, and my sister.in-law folded her
hands and looked the very pattern Of dis
Greet matron. Az for me. | felt on fire,
and tried to run off, bat Mr. Bannister held
me fast, and bantercI me most provokingly
about my conquest and handsome officers,
and the ''scarlet fever" Laurston tried
hard to look jocose, Ely ncces grnned like
cats; so at last boxed my brother-in-law's
ears and rushed up staira, ready to sink with
confusion. She was good, kind soul after
all. that sister-n.lnw of mine. She followed
me and unfastened my dress herself quite in
a motherly way, and said must not mind
Mr.. Bannister's jokes that was his way when
he liked any one, and WAS great favorite
Of his. Her eyes quite beamed as she spoke
Then she talked Of this ball, and l think soon
| found out how little experience j had NJ get
| had | 7 L. 20
one rea! ball ] ianccd she wanted to warn
me againct flirting, &c, for she begged me
not to let my spirits run away with ne, and
to RENE: :Iber that what became young girl
very well was not suitable to young wic.-
She gave me O few Of the best possible hints
about her brother. He WIS particular as TO
ladies' behavior An older man was more
likely to be avcrse to flightiness in young
wife than one nearer her ago. ! WAS
frightened. She saw it, and cheercd me NEST
kindly She really spoke to mo in e most
friendly manner. When she kissed me at
parting Cor the night said, II am so glad
YOU do not dislike me. thought you did. !
was dreadluly afraid Of You. You won't he
very hard upon me. will you? I'm SO young.
] never was away from mamma and Susan
before. Every one is strange to iue." SIC
actually shed tears and squeezed me so tight
in her arms--nh ] was all but crushed.
! will make a long hiatus between the re-
heursal and the actual toilette. felt hnrrid
" nervous. thought ! looked like a cook
maid. ! had never been so anxious to appear
, Jien mise before. ] was in sad state of Hut
ter. Once or twice ! nearly cried. Oar room
at Southwood was so grand. l had never
dressed for party before without my sisters
! missed Old Hester, our nurse. who used t.
sit in the armchair and peer at US over he
spcctacles.
" l remembered how papa held the cOndi
: while Susan dressed my hair, when ] cans
out prophesyng that should get the bes
partner in the room. These recollection
l. made me sad. had fears. too, about II!
husband--fears which ! did not like to sill
.. from hopes. fe!: sick at heart, and who
my husband came in thought he looked =
t. most satrrniue. Away with fears Avaur
sickly shadows of,eYii! That was an 0rphoa
strain WIS free this mig al to gather howel
orcc more. My husband lei! ne with Lad
o pherm to take hand at whist with sir NJ
ward. I'e commended me to the carH Of IN
g hostess. But felt deserted. ] knew
should sea no more Of him that night. ii
IN had often said he was not man enough
withstand short whist. Lady Pherm was
tall woman could scarcely hang on to h'
e. arm. Besides, she WAS too busy in receivir
her guests TO take much notice Of poor lit
G me. At that moment saw the back O.
is head IL turned met an eye. My sense
furlornness dispersed like vGpc!s a sugr!s
Yet what aicd me =? shiverod rs one do
in the misty morning. The next moment II
o. arm was in his. When the fiddlers TIL drt
-" their bows with one crash. FELT e!ec;riiie
I" This splendid pageant seemed to me the l
alization OF scenes in the halls OF the Gen
Pc The light, the hum, the glitter Of chandelie
the cleaning jewels, the perfume OF Howe
that burst OF music ! was bew!ldered Il
lv- enchanted Aud clear. low, sweeter, a
: more persuasive than tie music, flowed
de that witching voice and. amid the glare a
crowd saw no eye but his ! cannot rect
, ANYTHING distinctly-better forget it. Ev
now it seems to me like magic, like a drea
One can have the fullest luxury Of lonelin'
n, in crowd Who but ones self knows Of /
de, suft, strong pressure Of ONES arm against
va sde-who can reckon the hundred oppnr
mites from little cares-who wits Of all Il
is said and left unsaid when hearts glow .
hands are clasped? | thought no harm
ON meant none There was none to guide /
, My husband was playing whist my chap
In one forgot there was such being in existel
us me. ] knew no one. few gent!en
!. who had been introduced TO me in the beg
ming Of the evening, danced with me.
night he hoyered near me. either as my ris
to ris, or he stood little way of watching
danced with him the last set before supp
are and when others were promenadng
room, he led me away into the beautiful c
e servatory. 1t was empty, and our lips, wi
had moved so fast in the crowd, grew sill
'"ce under those flowers. lie made me sit do
and stood so rs TO shelter me from
'anl daught felt suddenly awkward; ! wis
, myself away. That l might break the
emu lence, ] asked him if he thought might h
one of those white iowers dropping above
o. He gathered spray, but the petals fell i
dea. shower on my face. This little incident
minded me OF the laburnum on my wed'
olar day. | told him of it. Captain Yer
smiled, aud said was superstiious
r then his brow grew suddenly dark, and he
nh he could read the auguury differently.
never touched thing he loved but the C
that had blighted his life fell also upon
rmed Without q pause, he went on 10 tell me
saddest story ever heard--of himself
Was II nnssihle ? Coull sn eharn AN al