Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-09
MISS WELDON'S WEDDING,

IL peTlOQ tile gOOu clergyman was wont to
come to the residence OF the brides father"
where in the presence OF a few intimate friends,
the ceremony would take place, after which,
Iershance, would follow reception for the less
plan that Edith WeldOn's was arranged to take
place. II was within the hour OF the time ap-
dressed in her pretty boudoir, when her mother
came in to attend to the final touches in the fas
teBiDg of the bridal veil
has Dick Gomez" asked Edith, staying her
mothers hand as she was about to throw the
himsy lace over her head
pale, my darling, il is not time for him yet"
- wish heSweTe here, sighed Edith. 90 Some
how j cannot help worrying about him"
Ms. Weldon. kindly. He will be here pres.
emily. Dick was never unpunctual, and he will
scarcely he tonight"
While the finishing touches are put to the
prstty toilet, few words with regard to the
story of Edith are necessary.
The young bride was the eldest daughter of
one OF our city merchant princess, a lovely wo-
man. though perhaps a shade more demure
than most girls of her age. Yet in spite OF her
quiet, and what some of her old friends called
"old-fashioned" ways, they were somewhat sur
Ifised when she accepted Mr.. Richard Strong
a her lover. He was a country gentleman, q
scion OF one of 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 agri-
cultural life had led TO a certain roughness of
dress and manner that was at times almost I'M
ecuth. Then his face was Drowned by the sun
~ a deep tan color, his hands were rough and
brown, and he would not wear gloves, but would
wear heavy boots. Despite this he was a fine
looking man, with intelligent eyes and we'll
knit frame and Edith had sense enough to see
beneath the somewhat rude exterior a Guilt
tated mind and affectionate heart.
Dir. Weldon WAS well pleased with his daugh-
ter's choice. Mr.. Strong's family was one for
which he had the highest respect, and EIi,h's
simple tastes were such as admirably fitted her
for country life. The young lady's city friends
were, however, rather oontemfuous at her
lovers unmistakable buco!ic appearance; and
some of these who looked no deeper than the
surface, declared be was no more than a country
.ciod-hoIper." To tell the truth, Edith had
been little horrifed at Dicks utter indifer-
enee To style, and had even urged him TO employ
her fathers tailor.
Go to Digby', he exclaimed. with horror:
why, he would make me look like a fool. No
BOundcrby, always has made my clothes, and
Bounderby always shall. He knows how to
suit me''
And 50 even the wedding garments were male
ly Bounderby, who had large run of custom
among the gentlemen farmers OfNew York, and
understood how TO make coats Of excellent ma
tCral and no particle OF style.
Edith's toilet was complete by half-pa>t
seven, and her mother and bridesmaids LETT her
20 make their own preparations. For short
time she was alone, and sat listening 70 every
ring of the bell, hoping each one was Dicks
and expecting to be called down 10 meet him;
a. the moments went by and no message came
her anNieties increased 1t was certainly very
strange that he had not arrived. He was the
very soul OF pUnctuaity-always sure to sppear
q the precise moment appointed.
Presently people began 10 come into the room
aUnts. cousins, and particular friends; and there
was much chatting over the bride and her dress
Edith put the Questions, Z" Has Dick Gomez"
ashamed to repeat them, and her companions
iets. Al eight o'e,osS her mother reio,nsd hef
gorgeous in blue velvet and diamonds.
We'll, Edith the hour has come
But not the man, = added ono OF the gay girls
Weldon, in surprise.
- think not"
That is strange" she replied, looking I'M
nnistakably annoyed. .. But don't turn 80 pale
Edith dear. he must be here, OF come directly:
will 20 and see sbOutit"
She kissed her daughter tenderly, and wen.
Cuwn stairs In the library were. her husband
and several gentlemen. Mr.. Weldon came for
ward tO his wife.
{" 1t is a little strange. Mary. it is five minutes
past eight, and Strong IL not here
.'Can any of his friends explain his detcn-
tom
Just then the door opened and among the Sc
Issn and a cousin of Dicks
..Ah. Charlie. Is Dick with ycu"'' asked Mr.
Weldon.
- Dick. No. I.n't he here"
=. Why. that j. very odd: l left him an hour
ago on his way here
- Ou his way, Was he drivings'
% No. You know what queer fellow Dick Is
wanted 90 end FOR a carriage; but lie said that
all nonsense Tor slCn a snort distance. and
VA spite Of my objections. he Pvt on an oil sum
hler OyerCOat to coye- his evening dress, and
started 10 walk here with me. told him he
lid not look much like bride-groOm; to which
he gave the characteristic reply, that" Looks
aren't everything
And how far did yon come together
TO Fourteenth street: there turned Of to
Irving Place. sndhe started up Broadway"
The disappearance of the bridegroom was
only rendered more n ysteTiOus by this state
inen:. There seemed absolutely nothing To do
but wait for his arrival a. patiently a. possible:
and a people began 10 pour in, the time for the
reception having come, Mrs. Weldon received
them " it'll what se!i-pOSsessiOn she could. not
telling them to 80 away, since at any moment
the missing man might appear, and the ce-e-
mOny proceed The company was very dreaTy
however; every one knew what had happened
gaiety was out OF the question. and the only
amusement was o. rush 60 the door every time
any one came, in hopes of seeing the pleasant
brown face OF Dick Strong
Charlie Strong went down to The hotel on the
chance that FOR some mex plcable cause Dick
had returned there No, he had not been seem
Mr.. Strong next inquired orthe policemen alons
the route II any one had been taken suddeuI1
i'll, as thissupposition had occurred as possible
health rendered il fafher an absurd one. So'
nothing unusual had happened, except that
there had been 8 IRE on Broadway and great
gentleman came back to the house. and the non
appearance OF the bride groom seemed stranger
Poor Edith sat in her rooms looking like q
pale and stricken lower; her bridesmaids aud
friends were gathered round her doing what
they could 90 cheer her, but shs grew hopeiessly
sad The hours OF the wedding evening stole
by without any news OF her lover From TINS
to time when there was the hustle of an arrival
below, one of the girls looked out to see IL Nj.
Strong had come. but each time only Ia return
it'll fresh disappointment, 30 that in the bridal
room well "a IN the Parlor there was gloom
AMI anxiety.
And H0s to tell of the man who had 80
strangely disappeared. When he parted from
his eonsin, Dick, a Charlie had said. he vent
straight MP BToasl~ay, which was the nearest
road 10 Mr.. Nel,lons home on west Thirty-sixtb
strSst When he had passed 4 MON square he
saw that gaite a crew at people was assembled
in front Of enc vi the stores from the upper wi n
GOws OF which smoke was issuing. No thoughts
cf turning aside 20 avoid the. throng occurred Ia
Mr.. Sirong's mind. no. he was troai-shonlsi.re,i
and p0uel-s. and he began to push the thrcpg