Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1868-12-31

"I be just agoin', sir; my master, b,
we bin to bid most two hours agone,
was the answer, in 9 brisk good-temper
ed voice and broad Slowshire dialect.
Has he? Then advise yOn to follow
your masters example as quick as YOU
can"
She fingered minute, looking visit.
fully at his face. Then, she caught his
eye, broke into broad smile.
.Bain't to know nothing, sir?" she
said; :" there were body here tonight
as says the vslks be talking.n
Well, the folks are right for once. ]
am going to be married. Isott."
1sott's sly smile becamse more sly still,
and demurely she replied
could IA telPd ye that six months
agonen
g 1t is only just settled" Philip said,
impressively. What is the matter
new ?" as the old woman stood fidgeting
with the corner of her apron.
Now / be to turn out, | warn't." she
said, in a grumbling tone.
|" No, indeed, lsott; Mrs. Clavering is
most anxious to keep you on. But we
will discuss all that another time. Be off
now, and let me lock the door after you. =
The old servant fingered as if anxious
for little chat, but she knew of old that
" master 'ood be minded, ESQ she obeyed.
He held open the front door, and let
the rays of his candle fall on the dark
wet lane, until the click, click of her
pattens ceased, and he knew that she
had reached the cottage where she and
her husband lived, and which was only
on the opposite side of the narrow road.
Then he shut the door, and, taking tine
light, went into the larger of the two
back sitting-roOms, and looked carefully
around The furniture was soiled and
ugly. the paper and carpet were worn to
a general dull BROWNIES of hue; but the
windows opened on the garden, and the
mantle-shelfwaso ofdark oldoak quantity
carved. Altogether, the room had capa-
bilities. He looked round it with feel
ing of restless feyerish happiness. Often
and often, and for very long, too long,
had he planned how it could be fitted up,
SO as to be worthy of Elsie. To see her
there had been the vision of his life; for
that faint uncertain hope he had lived,
and saved, and denied himself every
thing; every sixpenee that he couldspare
had been laid aside for the decoration of
this shrine, long before the day when he
knew that his goddess was free to receive
his homage.
Seldom, very seldom: does such idol
take possession of mans
nature. Still more rarely is it followed
by blessing.
CHAPTER II.
"lI a une page effrayante dams lie livre des
destines humaines- On y lit en- tete ces
aots; les desirs accomplis'
So the hours came and the hours went,
and brought the eve of Philip and Elsie's
wedding-day. 1t was to be quiet we'd
ling, as all felt that any rejoicings would
be out of place after so brief and sad a
Mrs. Clavering herself,
though thankful and content at heart,
would have shrunk frem anything like
bridal display,
The few weeks which intervened be-
,ween the announcement of his engage
nent and his marriage had been SPENT
oy Philip Denbigh in busy preparations
oI welcoming home his BRIDE All was
now; the house was brighten
I'd up to receive its new mistress; the
,wo maids who were to assist old Isott
we're engaged to come at the end of the
weeks holiday, which was all that so
busy man could spare for his honey
noon; nothing remained for him to do
)ut to pay last visit to all his patients,
md to complete the final arrangement
with Mr.. Scott, the Slowcombe surgeon,
who was to attend them during his short
ABSENCE. 1t was well, perhaps, that all
hese things kept him so hard at work
rom the late winters dawn until the
.arly twilight, that he had scarcely time
o think; for he was haunted on this last
lay of his unmarried life by the feeling
he had described to Elsie: an unreasona-
,le doubt and dread lest the happiness
% close before him never could be his.
He had told Elsie that he would be
90 busy to see her that day; but splash
ng home late in the evening from
'isit to patient, and seeing light still
II her drawing-rOOm, the emptatiout
vas strong upon him to go in and wish
ler good night, especially as he felt a
ealous fear lest on this last evening of
Ter widowhood, the old love and the old /
memory might be rising up to trouble
Ter Ieace. The maid admitted him,
md, hastily passing her, he opened the
loor of the little parlor. Mrs. Clavering
vas sitting in her usual low chair by the
learly dying fire, but crouching forward,
ler face buried in her hands, evidently I
weeping, though silently. Philips heart
rev cold, and his face white and set, at
his sight; he had nearly turned to go
without betraying his presence, but at
he moment Elsie looked up, saw him,
md, with cry of relief, hurried across
he room TO him: resting against him as
lie took her in his arms, like little
child that Lad found its pro-
ector.
30, am SO glad sou are come.1 she
with fresh burst of tears
began to think l had better not
ave come" he said, stiffiy, for jealousy
made his heart sore
"Why?"
The innocent wondering eyes met his
or a moment, then dropped as she held
ut her left hand, and showed the third
niger slightly swelled and Redeemed
ound the wedding-ring.
This is ii" she whispered. "You
,now you made me promise to take it
III before tomorrow, and l tried. But
ook; my finger has swollen round it
Iuite suddenly, and do what L will L
annot move it. l am-very silly, Philip,
'ut l could not help crying. Is it not a
'ad omen?n f,
IAN omen very quickly put an end
o,p said Mr.. Denbigh, producing from
lis pocket case of uncOmfortable-Io look
ng instruments. 81 will nip it off for
ou in moment"
: But Elsie held back her hand,
No, Philip she said, pleadingly,
please let me keep it on till tomorrow.
f it does not come off easily before we
% to church, you shall take it off for me
hen; but can't quite say good by to
he old life till begin the new one.n
There was a pause; then Philip took
Ter hands almost roughly, and held her
rom him while he looked searchingly
n her face. 1t blushed under his gaze,
hough again the eyes We're raised fear