Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-12-29
From the Home Journal.
Our Bridal Tour.
INTERCEPTED LETTER THE SEVENTH.
CRANsToN. October s.

ecstacy that filed my heart when |
me, and both attiied in a manner so ap-
propriate to the occasion: |, in sky blue,
emblematic of youthful hope and inno-
cence, and she the honored author of my
existance, in regal purple, and lace OF
the very finest texture. And when she
raised to her eyes handkerchief edged
with the loveliest point | ever beheld,
| exclaimed, in rapturous enthusiasm,
80, my mother, this is the happiest mo-
nent of my life Where did you buy
that exquisite lace?'
The only drawback to my happiness
was Fred's want of sympathy. | fear
that he does not appreciate my adored
parent. She gave a reception for US last
evening. | wore my bridal dress, and,
in the mirror of my husbands eyes, saw
that the tout ensemble was unexceptiona-
BILE; and, when | noticed that several of
my old lovers were approaching, | lean
ed upon dear Fred's arm with that air
of conjugal devotion which is always so
fascinating in young and lovely wives.
Ned Bostwick turned White as sheet.
o, Amanda, | cannot tell you how that
poor fellow adored me. | am sure he
worshipped the very ground / trod upon.
am concions that | did not do exactly
right by him; but how can girls deal
fairly by all their lovers? l certainly
could not marry more than one, ard |
was determined not to be an old maid.
So just kept poor Ned along in state
of suspense until felt perfectly sure of
Fred. But for two weeks | was racked
almost to death to keep the former from
proposing. He is one of those blunder-
ing fellows that must tell everything
right out or die. One night in particu-
lar / had most fearful time of it. He
was desperate, frantic, determined TO de-
clare himself, and just as determined
that ne should not do so. "Prevent it if
you can," my dear mother had said that
very morning. "Do not let him speak
until you are quite sure of Mr. Stanton"
So | sat in crimson chair, with my
snowy draperies floating about me, all
outward ealmness and propriety, but in
wardly quaking with fear and nervous
ness. parried every approach to the
eventful question; | assumed an air of
the most innocent unconciousness | met
his ardent glanees with a childlike smile,
and answered his tender apostrophes with
the most commonplace allusions. Aman-
da, | endured that terrible ordeal for
three mortal hours, and when he left,
sullen and indignant, | gave his hand a
gentle pressure that | knew would at
once revive his sinking hopes, and then,
to prevent an explosion of tenderness, |
softly whispered goodnight, dear Ed
ward" and, closing the door quickly,
locked it at once. Then, utterly pros
trated, l sank upon the lounge, where l
remained until my mother came to seek
me.
'Did he declare himself?" she asked.
"No, mother"
Thank heaven Mr.. Stanton comes
tomorrow. Arethusa, my brave da ling,
you do credit to your delighted mother"
Fortunately, Fred proposed that morn
ing, and my trials were over; but l pit
led poor Ned last night, when, forcing
smile to his white lips, he offered his
congratulations. Serena Murdstone saws
it is liver complaint that makes him SO
pale, but | know better. She has not
soul enough to discriminate betweeA the
ravages of a loathsome disease and those
produced by lacerated heart. But
that sad, reproachful face has haunted
me all day. Fred observed my unusual
pensiveness and inquired the cause. 30,
my husband l exclaimed, eff Edwards
disappointment should prompt him to
seek watery grave, / never could for
give myself-never never p
He looked at me for a moment and
then burst into a laugh. "Do not make
yourself miserable, darling, about that"
hesaid, "becauseif young Bostwick does
seek watery grave it will be dyspepsia,
not Arethusa, that will send him there
30, | do not suppose that you will be. |
lieve in any other mans devotion to me. |
Fred" | observed, in sarcastic way /:
"but if ever man loved woman, Edward |
Bostwick loved Arethusa Ellsworth"
"And if ever man loved that portion
of the animal kingdom termed molIusca,
Edward Bostwick loves raw clans, with
judicious adjustment of salt, pepper,
and vinegar. know very we'll, dear,
that half the young men in Chicago we're
ready 10 eat me for stealing one of its
loveliest bellies; but, as regards Mr..
Bostwick, | have good reason to think
that his paleness is the result of bad
digestion rather than willed heart. for
/ am sure that no person, not lined
with sheet-iron, could swaI-
lau cix dozon &c the a af,rosa;l ,o,,..l n. |