Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08
EDITH MELONS MARRIAGE.

EDITH MELONS MARRIAGE.
 Ten years ago it was less the custom than at present, for people to be married in chur h. At that period the good cler- gyman was wont to me to the residence of the brides father" where, in the presence of few intimate friends, the ceremony would take place, after which, perchance, would follow a reception for the less fay ored ten thousand ;" and it was upon this plan that Edith Weldon's was ar ranged to take place. It was within the hour appointed for the marriage, and she stood ready dressed in her pretty boudoir, when her mother came in to attend to the final touches in the fastening of the bridal veil.
 "Has Dick come P asked Edith, staying her mothers hand as she was about to throw the Himsy lace over her head.
 No, not yet, of course. Why don't look so pale, my darling, it is not time for him yet"
 "i wish he were here" sighed Edith. "Somehow cannot help worrying about him."
 "You are nervous, dear, that is alp said Mrs. Weldon, kindly. |" He will be here presently. Dick was never unpunc- tual, and he will scarcely be tonight"
 While the finishing touches are put to the pretty toilette, few words with re- gard to the story of Edith are necessary. The young bride was the eldest daugh- ter of one of our city merchant princes, a lovely woman, though perhaps a shade more demure than most girls of her age. Yet in spite of her quiet, and what some of her friends called " old fashioned" ways, they were somewhat surprised when she accepted Mir. Richard Strong as her lover. He was country gentleman, scion of one oi the best families of which New York can boast, and lived on his farm, which he took great pains in cultivating. He was a man of fine powers, and high education, but his~a ~agricultural life had lead to a certain roughness of dress and manner that was at times almost uncouth Then his face was Drowned by the sun to deep tan color, his hands were rough and brown, and he would not wear gloves, and would wear heavy boots. Despite this, he was a fine looking man, with intelligent eyes and we'll knit frame, and Edith haC sense enough to see beneath the somewhat rude exterior cultivated mind anl alice tionatc heart.
 MT. Weldon was we'll pleased with hi daughters choice. MT. Strong's family was one for which he had the highes such as admirably fitted her for country life. The young lady's city friends were however, rather contemptious at her loyer' unInistakable bucolic appearance ant some of these who looked no deeper thar the surface, declared that he was only ; country :" clod hopper" To tell tho truth Edith herself had been little mortified a Dicks utter indifference to style, and haC even urged him to employ her father tailor.
 "Go to Digbyn' he exclaimed, witt , horror; "why, he would make me lool like fool No; Bounderby always ha made my clothes, and Bounderby alway shall. He knows how to suit me !'
 And so even the wedding garments wer made by Bounderby, who had large FIJI of custom among the gentlemen farmers o New York, and understood how to mak coats of excellent material and no particl of style.
 Edith's toilette was complete by hall past seven, and her mother and bridesmaid left her to finish their own preparations For short time she was alone, and sa listening to every ring of the bell, hopin each one was Dicks, and expecting to b called down to meet him as the moment went by and no message came, her anxietie increased. It was certainly very straug that he had not arrived. He was the yer soul of punctuality-alwayss sure to appea at the precise moment appointed.
 Presently people began to come into tn room ; aunts, and cousins, and particula friends; and there was much chatterin over the bride and her dress.
 Edith put the questions, Has Die come 2" s.Have you seen MT. Strong? until she grew ashamed to repeat then and her companions laughed at her for he seemingly needless anxiety. At eigh o'clock her mother rejoined her, gorgeou in blue velvet and diamonds.
 "Well, Edith, the hour has come"
 "But not tho man," added one Of tn gay girls, laughingly.
 Is not Mir. Strong here yet 2" aske Mrs. Weldon, in surprise.
 "I think not"
 "That is strange" she replied, lookin unmis istakably annoyed. But don't tar so pale, Edith, dear, he must be here, C come directly I will go and see about it. She kissed her daughter tenderly, an went down stairs. In the library we1 her husband and several gentlemen. M Weldon came forward to his wife.
 "It is a little strange, Mary, it is fiy minutes past eight, and Strong is nc here.n
 "Can any of his friends explain his d. tention ?'
 Just then the door opened, and amor the select few was admitted Charlie Stron a city man and cousin of Dicks.
 "Ab, Charlie is Dick with you p aske Mir. Weldon.
 "Dick! No! Isn't he here ?''
 "No."
 ''Why, that is very odd I left him hour ago on his way here."
 son his way! Was he driving ?''
 "No. You know what queer fello Dick is. wanted to send for carriag but he ss id that was all nonsense for su
 n hort distance, and in spite of my objt