The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-11-23
le concluded that was a part Of the

"Dut you see, I've a programme OF
my own"
"For which" quoth John, "I
trust am only thankful''
However, Meg stipulated at the
first that he should come only twice
a week for fear of exciting remark ;
but, somehow, he would keep for
getting what day it was, and then
insist that it was three days since
his last visit. For the same reason
she would not wear her engagement
ring. though it was just such one
as she liked-one large pearl, with
enameled setting.
We held a family caucus over the
wedding dress, we were all IN favor
of the conventional white; but as
Meg had decided to be married af-
ter morning service on Sunday, we
did not see how it could be manag-
ed; so, at last, it was reluctantly
given up, and a delicate black and
white striped silk suit decided upon
instead. @But I must have a veil, y
sighed Meg. II know its foolish,
but I should not feel half married
without veil"
@Why not carry one to church in
your pocket, and let some one
throw it over you just before you
leave the pew?' I suggested.
"That's it, exactly! You're a jew
Ell, Aunt Sophie!" cried Meg, and
so that matter was settled.
Besides this bridal dress, she
had handsome black silk, a white
cambria, buff travelling dress, and
oh, horrors! two chintzes. Six
dresses for a bridal outfit! But she
had already a green silk and white
pique, almost as good as new, and
sensible Meg declared she didn't
see why she should have more
dresses than she needed just be-
cause she was going to be married.
About this time she let it be un-
derstood she was going to visit a
cousin in Philadelphia, and no one
seemed to have the slightest suspi-
cion for what she was really prepar-
ing. But one day Miss Martha
Gaines was seen coming up the
front walk. 'Tm in for it nowr'
exclaimed Meg, Struggling her
shoulders as she went to the door.
The weather was duly discussed,
and the last piece Of gossip retail
ed; but it was plain our visitor had
somewhat on her mind. She final
ly brought the conversation round
to dressmaking, and turning to
Meg, said:
Il hear you are getting ready to
go awayY'
eyes," answered Meg. .'to PhiIa-
delphia, to see Cousin Helen"
Are you going alone?',
'.No, presume shall find com
pany at least as far as New York,
said Meg, her eyes beginning to
dance, though her face was perfect
ly sober.
Miss Martha hesitated, evidently
not satisfied yet, but almost afraid
to ask the question that was trem-
bling on her lips. Out it came at
last-"You're going to get married,
amt youg
"Oh, hope to some time; don't
you, Miss Martha?' laughed Meg,
no longer able to restrain her mirth.
I could scarely help joining her
as the offended lady ydrew herself up
and departed with hardly word of
farewell. Considering she was on
the shady side Of forty, and still in
a estate of single blessedness," the
question aOas almost an insult, and
felt in duty bound to take naughty
Meg to task, butsh silenced me by
declaring ''she needn't come prying
into my affairs, then;" and no more
she needn't.
After this, whatever people said,
we heard nothing Of it, and every
thing being in readiness, Meg named
the third Sunday in July for her
wedding. Ali this time she had not
made a confidant of any one outside
of the house, believing that off you
want a secret kept you must keep
it yourself" But on Saturday she
called on all the relatives, asking
them to come on the morrow and
see her married. OF course she had
to encounter a running fire of COM
ments on her oddity and reproaches
for having kept it so close; but she
bore it bravely, and begged them to
keep her secret one day more, which
they promised to do.
Coming home just before tea-time,
the first thing that met her gaze was
the elegant tea-set, standing on the
table in the sitting-room, which she
at once OWNED must be from her
mother, and she was rushing of to
find this good mother, when Dick
met her in the doorway, and, band
ing her a folded paper, said, with a
resigned air, "Here, Meg, I felt
obliged to give you something, too"
Just glancipg at the paper, and |
seeing $500 in the biggest kind of /