The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1871-12-15

EDITH MELD0N'S MARRIAGE.
Ten years ago il was leSs the custom
than at present, for peopleto be married
in chur b. AT that Period the good eler-
gvman was wont 60 c me 60 the " residence
OF the brides hthern where, in the presence
Of ! few intimate friends, the ceremony
would take place, after which. perchaDcc,
would follow a reception for the less iav-
ored a ten Thousand y and u was upon
this plan that Edith Weldon'S was ar
ranged to take place. Ii was within the
hour appointed for the marFhse. and she
stocd 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 ~ asked Edith, staying
her mothers hand as she was about 10
throw the flimsy lace over her head.
"So, not vet, Of course. Why don't
look so pale, my darling, il Is not time for
him yet"
al wish he were here sighed Edith
Somehow cannot help worrying about
him.
SYou are nervous, dear, that is all, .
said Mrs. Weldon, kindly. =" lie will be
here presently. Dick was never unpunc-
taRl, and be 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 iashionedn ways,
they were somewhat surprised when she
accepted Mr.. Richard Strong as her lover.
He was a country gentleman, scion Of
one el the best families Of which New
York can boast, and lived ON his farm,
which be took great pains in cultiyatDg.
He was man Of tine powers, and high
education, but bis agricultural life had
lead to a certain rouChneSs Of dreSS and
manner that was at times almost uneouth.
Then his face was Drowned by the sun TO
q 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 well knit frame. and Edith had
sense enough TO see beneath the somewhat
rude exterior q cultivated mind AMI alec-
tomato heart
Mr.. Weldon was well blessed with his
daughters choice. Mr.. StroRg's family
was one for which he had the highest
respect. and Edith's. simple tastes were
such as admirably fitted her for country
life The young lady's city friends were,
however, rather contemptions nj her lovers
uniuistakable bucolic appearance and
some Of these who looked no deeper than
the surface, declared that he was only a
country {" clod hopper To tell the truth,
Edith herself had been little horTified at
Dicks utter indifference to style, and had
even urged him to employ her fathers
tailor.
"Go to Digby p he exclaimed, with
horror; swhy, he would make me look
like fool No; BoupdeTby always has
made my rlothes, smd Bounderby always
shall He knows how to suit me ~
And so even the wedding garments werc
made by Bounderby, who had large run
of custom among the gentlemen farmers oe
New York, and understood how TO max
coats Of excellent material and no particle
of stSle.
Edith's toilette was complete By half
past seven, and her mother and bridesmaids
left her to finish their own preparations.
For short time she was alone, and sat
listening 20 every ring Of the bell, hoping
each one was Dicks, and expecting 20 be
IL
went by and no message eamc, her anxietics
increased. 1t was certainly very strange
that he had not arrived. He was the very
Eo1l OF puDctnality-always sure to appear
at tn. precise moment appointed.
Presently people began TO come into the
room annts, and cousins, and particular
friends; and there was much chattering
over the bride and her dress.
Edith put the questions, a Has Dick
come 7" "Have you seen Mr.. Strong z"
until she grew ashamed to repeat them,
and her companions laughed at her for her
seemingly needless anxiety. AZ eight
o'clock her mother rejoined her, gorgeous
in blue velvet and diamonds.
Well, Edith, the hour has come"
= But not the man." added one OF the
gay girls, laughingly.
lis not Mr.. Strong here yet n asked
Mrs. Weldon, in surprise.
'" think notn
"That is strange" she .replie1, looking
eunmistakably annoyed. But don't turn
10 pale, Edith, dear, he must be here, or
come directly will 60 and see about it,"
( She kissed her daughter tenderly, and
went down stairs. In the library were
her husband and several gentlemen. Mr..
Weldon came forward to bis wife.
alt is a little strange Mary, it is five
minutes past eight, and Strong is not
.here.n
"Can any Of his friends explain bis de-
tenti0n ?"
Just then the door opened, and among
the select few was admitted Charlie Strong,
q city man and cousin Of Dicks.
sab, Charlie is Dick with you ?" asked
Mr.. Weldon.
"Dick! MOI Isn't he here 7'
g No.n
"a Why. that is very odd ! left him an
hour ago on his way here.n
;''"On his way! Was he driving 7'
"No. You know what a queer fellow
Dick is. | wanted to send for carriage
but he said that was all nonsense for such
a short distance, and in spite of my objec-
tions, he put on an old summer oyercoat
10 cover his evening dress, and started to
walk here with me. / told him be did
not look much Ike bridegroom to which
he gave the Characteristic reply, that aLooks
aren't everything"
=" And how far did you come together ~
-" To Fourteenth street; there. / turned
oil to Irving place, and he started up
Broadway
The disappearance Of the bridegroom was
rendered more mysterious by this state
ment. There seemed absolutely nothing
TO do but wait for his arrival as patiently
ON possible and as people began to pour
In, the time tor che reception having come,