The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-11-10

ror, and, done, fell upon me. Each gave me
finishing TOUCH" and then KISS, and
concluded with saying, snow, there, winch
meant, possibly, that they had done all they
could for me.
1t did not confuse me, the brilliant COM
pany below for Mr. Heath was beside me,
and 1 thought only of him. | heard people
question on this side and that: rs that
the plain Miss Hartwell ?" They were as
curious to be introduced to me as if had
been handsome, wished to appear well for
his sake. So I talked the best to all who
sought me; and when they asked me to
sing, complied without an excuse. The
people had laughed and talked, while the
other music was going on; but when be-
gan to sing there was dead silence. l rose
from the piano, feeling rather than knowing
that had received rare compliment En-
couraged by appreciation, my spirits rose
When we were about to leave, there was a
group around me-
Snow you have come out of your retire
ment, we shall expect to see you often,'
said one after another.
looked at Mr. Heath-he did not share
in my pleasure. His brow was clouded, he
seemed strongly and strangely displeased:
My heart fell Coming home, took his
arm in silence. By and by, asked In a
voice that faltered.
"What has displeased you Have SEEM
ed so awkward tonight that you are asham-
ed of me?"
aAshamed of you'll Not I, indeed. Can't
YOU guess what the matter is 2"
TELL me-tell me You were never dis
pleased with me before"
"Oh. Annie! can't you see that am as
Jealous, as jealous as man can be?"
Jealous of me, plain Annie Hartwell Oh,
dear delight! If he was jealous, he cared
for me more than l had dared to hope; for
simple as I was, was not so simple that
did not know jealousy to be the shadow
cast by love.
Woman, more artful, would have inflamcd
his jealousy. But II had never but this
one admirer, could not bear that he should
even seem to suffer.
at it displeases you," cried, ~ will go
no more into society, but stay at home al
ways"
@Then promise me one thing, Annie, that
that home shall be my Preside"
1 did promise I couldn't have him els
pleased you know
Nv mother and the girls were not at all
surprised. I had thought they would be.
YOU'RE simple, Annie" laughed they.
told Mr.. Heath they thought me simple.
Was so?
"Quite deep enough for me-" was the
reply.
For the first time in my life went shop
ping that spring. 1t was tiresome, but, on
| the whole, liked it. l had no idea what a
| simple wardrobe had contented me hereto
| fore.
How many, many things were to buy. At
length, however, everything had been pur-
chased but one; and that was the dress my
lover-how sweet the word sounds-had
said was the one that he wished to see me in.
had wondered if I would be rich enough
to buy it; in my simplicity never guessing it
was the one women hold in such choice es-
teem-a wedding dress.
I had no need-he sent it to me. A silk
of creamy snow, throwing off the light in
silvery shafts, like moonbeams with it came
a veil, fine as cobweb. They we're both
"too beautiful for me-" declared.
"Too beautiful! Nothing is too beauti-
full for BRIDE" said my mother and sisters.
do not know whether made "plain y
bride or not-the question arises at once
whether bride is ever plain. Strange to
say my husband declares he had never seen
prettier one Oh the charming delusion
oflove that can find beauty where all the
world is blind
don't know how it is, but since 1 have
been married, it has been found out that
have "sweet expression talent for con-
versation," "a faculty" for doing any num-
Der of things. think happiness has called
into blossom qualities that might always
have been in the bud, or that would have
been unnoticed otherwise.
In drawer laid away in rose leaves is the
white apron 1 made to wear with my brown
merino. l do not hate brown now my hus
band says it is home color; and l find il
not unbecoming, for my face is so bright
with happiness, that l think it casts re-
Elected light upon everything that wear; SC
that may don the dullest colors with i'm
| punity.