The mountain Democrat., 1865-09-23
Harry's Wife.


q locomotive whistle.
Mrs. Gray put down the letter which
contained the astonishing news, and re.
garded each Of her four daughters in turn.
Married + she said, with An emphasis
that sounded as if abe herself, IS we'll as
her daughters, needed to be convinced of
the fact; married to the daughter Of .
porter in . store. He is mad Z
Selfish fellow said Miss Maria, who
was some years the senior Of the culprit,
and whose dark brown curls and rather
too we'll preserved roses had failed to in
duce any desperate man to ask her to
change her maiden name.
No consideration for our feelings, said
Helen, the second fair maiden.
She's some low thing. Of course said
Lola, tossing her head. How could Har-
ry, with his refine tastes and habits, ever
marry such persOnP'
Minnie. the youngest daughter, and the
only one younger than the much abused
Harry said nothing. Her first cry Of as
constituent had been involuntary, but
she added no comment to the general
outcry for while the others were angry
and loud in their complaints, she was ST.
ently suffering from the most acute grief.
Harry, her darling, her idolized brother,
was married. All the tender love he had
lavished upon her delicate childhood, all
the confidential disclosures he had trust.
ed to her ear alone, were now to be trans
ferred to his wife, and Minnie felt great
aching, deSolate void, as she thought of
the loss of Harry's best love.
Harry wishes the front room to be
ready for him this afternoon said Mrs.
Gray; they are coming here, and as Har-
ry owns the house, Of course we can say
nothing
Il suppose he will reduce our allowance,
said Maria, discontentedly enough as she
followed her mother up stairs TO prepare
for their brothers return.
And he, meanwhile, seated on the deck
Of fast sailing steamboat, was telling his
wife of his home, his mother and sisters,
so soon to become her home and already
her relatives. She was little, blue eyed
morSel Of . woman, who had been teach.
ing three young ladies of Harry's acquain-
tance, music, drawing. and the English
branches; and while they were excrting
their most fascinating influence TO win
the handsome young lawyer, be was fall,
ing desperately in love with the pale gov
erneSs.
Left an orphan very young, Elsie Smith
had been placed by her fathers employer
at good boarding school, and supplied
with . small income until she was eigh-
teen, when she left school to support her.
self. She was so small, so child.like and
tinid. that this would have been difficult
task, had not the principal of the school
interested herself and procured her the
situation Of governeSs to the Misses Har.
ding, who Snubbed her to their satisfaction
and Harry'S Indignation for one year
then by discovering letter in her room
from Mr.. Gray, they found their charms
had passed unheeded, while Harry'S love
was fixed on their insignificant little chit,
and they dismissed her Instantly; three
hours later Harry found her disconsolate.
ly wandering about in search of new
place, and insisted upon eScorting her to
church and taking legal possession Of her
future welfare.
Do You think they will be very angry
at our being married 30 suddenly = asked
Elsie.
why pet they have no sort of right to
be angry was Harry's answer. IN tell
them about it. After my father died some
seven years ago. we were very poor for
awhile, and my sisters sewed and taught
music, whilst studied law with my uncle.
Well all supposed him to be very poor,
but he took my education into his own
hands until | became of age, and very
generously he conducted il.
One day he fell dead in the street, Of
appopiexy, nearly four years ago, and
suddenly became rich man. was then
twenty-five years old, and be left me oil
his property, including the house to
which | am taking you, and this property,
to our great surprise, Was very hand
some one. He was my Godfather,as well
as my uncle, and bachelor, my fathers
only brother, and he left everything he
died possessed Of, to me. Of course, |
sent for mother and the girls and settled
an income upon each OF tnem-Maria,
Helen and Lola are all older than | am
hut my little bird Minnie is only seven.
teen, and for her bespeak the warmest
place next to mine in your heart
And they expect usF
%, | wrote before we started from
Niagara, or mother would have been un-
easy at my long absence. They will'have
received the letter this morning, as they
send into the city for letters every Thurs.
day, while | am away
%, Hal! hope they will like me, said
Elsie, earnestly.
A merry laugh and fond look OF ap.
probation were the reply, and then tho
hustle Of arrival made them both leave
their seats.
ElSie's heart sank within her as her
husband ushered her into the drawing
room upon their arrival. Four more sol.
emn looking women than Mrs. Gray aud
her three elder daughters could not well
be imagined; and as each one coldly bow
ed and spoke few words Of greeting,
Harry felt the little hand he clasped grow
cold in his, and saw the little figure trem.
Bile. His own heart was throbbing with
hot Indignation, but the habitual respect
for his mother and, the chivalrous broth.
erly love for his sisters, kept him silent
on the subject Of this insulting conduct.
Mother, Elsie is fatigned with our long
ride from the city, and am as hungry as :
a hunter; may | trouble you to order an
early supper9'
Maria, tell Catharine your brother de.
sires supper Immediately y
Maria went out,and Helen followed her,
Lola looked up from her crochet work, and
something in the little shrinking figure
sOftened her warth against the 'porter's ,
daughter, for she said: ,,
Mrs. Gray, will you sit here by the
Window 1t is cooler, after your long hot I
drixe, than the se.s.' '' II