Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-01-20
Now. she was looking at herself, array

Now, she was looking at herself. array
ed in costly robe of creamy white satin,
where fell cloud on cloud of shimmering
lace. where cleaned pure pearls and soft
white kids.
"What, Marian. surely you are not
growing vain enough to try on yourwed-
ding g-dress to note the effect 2"
Marian laughed as the young girl held
up her hands in amazement.
do you consider this vanity? If you
do. I must plead guilty. wondered how
I would look as bride, so put on the
robes"
"As if you couldn't have waited for to-
morrow noon. Well. I guess Mr.. Gray
will think you're an angel, just fitted
down. Oh, Marian, chere, you are per-
Ifect-faultless."
Marian smiled, and turned again to the
beautiful reflection.
Il think my dress is very becoming.
and l am pleased. for Winicld's sake
And yet, with all the rapid preparations
going on you can't tell the gloom that
comes over my spirits at times-as if some
hidden vial of wrath was about to be pour
ed upon me-"
Marian's eyes we're gazing away off, AZ
if to wrest the secret from her future.
Oracle rose and gave little scream.
"Oh. you superstitious girl you-and
yet. Marian, have heard it was bad
omen to try complete wedding suit.
Aud here you are. nothing wanting, even
the kids, the slippers. the veil and ALL"
Marian smiled and shook her head.
Nonsense, Oracle, and yet to comfort
you, please notice I have not on the
wreath"
The young girl laughed joyously.
"Good there's hope yet then. Hark
there comes Mr.. Gray now. Shall / send
him up?'
A little blush flew into Marian's fair
face.
"Yes. I'd like his opinion"
A moment later, and Winfield Gray
stood beside her.
"My beautiful darling! almost my
bride! Almost my darling wife 7" ~
He kissed her fondly, then stepped
back to regard her toilette. sss.. g.
Perfect, little Marian. Pure as an
angels raiment, but none too fair for you.
darling. If you were only little less
serious"
He laughed as be spoke. but the young
girls face grew graver. s
Il have such strange feeling, Win
field. Night after night I dream Of a
barren sea shore where are rocks and crags
over which am constantly fleeing to find
you. And there is tall, dark. magni6-
cent woman, who haunts my dreams. with
eyes like a very demoness, that seem
scorching my heart out of my body
Then, when I waken. I am so exhausted
that the fright follows me half the day"
Her wistful blue eyes were lifted to his
face, but she had not noticed the pallor
that shifted across the handsome. proud
features as she mentioned the ''tall, dark,
magnificent woman"
He laughed. and smoothed her light
curls away from her forehead.
"If could only forget the sensation
the vision causes"
"Perhaps you don't love me, Marian p
he said. gravely.
"Oh. Winfield, you know I do; don,
say so you hurt me-"
He kissed her sweet. quivering mouth
just as Oracle returned to assist Marian
to remove her bridal robes.
"We'll excuse you now. Mr.. Gray
she said. merray. "1'll bring Marian
down presently, in more hugable dress. y
He threw the pretty bridesmaid kiss,
aud went whistling down stairs. happy,
and forgetful of the tall, dark. magni6-
cent woman"
"I'll take them off, Gracie," said Ma
rian. as her betrothed's footsteps sounded
further away; "but. if l spoke the truth
from my heart, I should say think I'll
never put them on again."
| Oracle glanced in unappreciating curl
osity at the bride elect.
"You talk so. and still are sure you
love Mr.. Gray p
A glorious lightcame into her blue eyes
''Love him, Oracle You can never
tell how much"
Then there is no danger that you
won't wear this in old Trinity to- morrow
at midday" returned the matter-of- fact
Oracle.
\ y \ X
It was a new grave. over which the
! flowers of hut seven summers had bloom.
ed. At its head stood costly tombstone,
and wreath of immortelles was twined
about it. On its stowy white surface
were carved letters that were unspeakably
precious to fond hearts; and the letters
read thus -s
''SACRED TO
WINFIELD GRAY,
AGED 49," t1.- ~
On the high. sweet-scented turf knell
in pitiful abandon. a young. haired
oirl uhosa- hl.ck rnhec cuant tho spoi