Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1869-09-02
MY BROTHERS. WIFE.
(COncIuded.)

Days passed, and the feeling of sis
terly love increased between Nina
and myself. Yet as l look back at
that time, through the mist of long
departed years, can see that my
feelings were more such as mother
might have for child, than the love
of one sister for another. During the
short time the sunshine of her pres
ence shOne upon us, no child was
more tenderly.loved than my broth
er's wife. She went through the old
rooms, singing like bird and max
ing our home brighter than ever.
All the servants in the house Wor-
SHIPPED her, and in consequence, sub
mitted to frequent airs on the part OF
the French maid, Marie, who was
not slow in showing her superiority
over them.
The summer faded into autumn
tints, when Frank proposed to give
grand party in honor Of Nina's
eighteenth birthday, and to display
that little lady's charms his friends.
OF course Nina was delighted. So
orders were given and invitations
sent for "Sept. 49," Oh! how well
l remember that fatal 18th! Frank
declared that as. Nina had not been
married in the usual tinery, she
should appear in full brides costume
on that night. So complete outfit
was ordered in New York-dress,
veil, etc., with the one exception;
instead CT the usual wreath of orange
blossoms, Frank desired n circlet of
pearls.
remember Nina's impotence for
Hhe arrival of the day. At last it
dawned. Guests came from all parts
of the country, and the old home
stead was filed with many happy
faces.
I went to my room to dress, for
Nina wished me to oversee her toilet,
Us she laughingly said, "She was to
be married over again that night"
TO please her l consented to dress
more deliberately than was my GUS
tom; and, as put the last finishing
touches to my hair, I could not but
confess that the child was right when
she said, "Alice, wear garnet silk
it is your COLOR" for l never looked
so well as that night.
On entering her dressing-room she
met me with kiss, and called Frank
to admire me saying:
ooh, Frank, cara mic! See how
beautiful sister Alice looks! Now,
Alice dear, you shall wear my ruby
set, for twill just match your Dress"
and, despite my refusal, she clasped
the tiara around my head.
"These are my birthday presents
to you, sister, mia, with all the love
/ have-after him you know" The
last sentence was spoken i'll whis-
per, with a side-glance at Frank.
snow, Frank, you must leave the
room."
"What for, little Lady,"
"Why-because."
"That's woman's reason; give
me a better one"
"Well, then-a gentleman has no
business in brides apartment until
the bride is dressed!" said Nina with
all the seriousness in the world.
ooh! l beg your PARDON" laughed
Frank, 81 had no idea what horri-
bile breach Of indelicacy was guilty
of" and Frank shut the door, just
escaping a Cinderella slipper which
took it's flight that way.
"Now, Marie, he's gone; hurry up
with my dressing"
Nina flung herself into an easy
chair; and Marie began the task of
brushing the pale golden hair.
"How am to dress it, madame?"
said Marie.
Nina laughed O clear, ringing
laugh.
"Dress it? Not at all! Only brush
tout. Frank wishes me to look as
much like a mad person as possible
tonight, Alice; SO he has given me
orders to neither braid nor curl it..
Only think how I will look with nay
locks hanging fancy free! ! won't be
q bad likeness Of Lady Adela, that
ancestress of yours who was killed
by her jealous lord. Will /, Alice?"
"Nonsense, Nina, don't talk So"
I confess could not deny myself but
that she bore a striking resemblance
to the beautiful but unfortunate
Adela, Marchioness de Pontell, who
was murdered through the jealousy
of her husband, and whose picture
hung in the south drawing-room.
Ina few moments Nina was dressed.
The long sweeping train Of white
satin, embroidered with silver, en-
cased the little doll-like figure, and