Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-02-15

down the long table. "There is no de-
nying it, Jenny; but his wife. Oh, no !;
impossibleP'
6He couldn't have two, you know"
whispered Jenny, choosing from trio
of gentlemen, all intent on serving her.
l shouldn't like to think the worst of
him;" and then she took long, liberal
look, that by some people might be
called a stare, at the rosebud girl to
whom the gallant General directed all
his attention.
"No style-not a bit-though some
repose of MANNER" she added, under
cover of slipping water; a country girl,
as you live. And he. he's like lover.
See how he anticipates every want /;
lookl he scowled at the waiter for spill
ing a drop of water on her precious
hair. Oh, dearI there's too much of it.
But the General don't seem day older,
and he is handsome-a regular Adonis
yet. How she appears to worship
him. Clo., dear, what can it mean ?"
at means there's rascality some
where" muttered the widow, under her
breath, and mean to find it out"
That evening the parlors were bril-
liant with company There were raw
ishing toilets from New York languish-
ing Southern beauties; strong-featured
English travellers, extremely reserved in
their manners; two elegant twin sisters
from California; Lady Goss, the only
titled woman present-an slyly taking
note of each others dresses all secretly
conscious of looking a little better than
the rest.
Mrs. Clio. Marshall, who generally had
the pick of the company about her,
had been captured by a bright little
brunette bride, who had journeyed
few miles with the General and his
wife-to whom Mrs. Marshall lent an
attentive ear.
$50 sweet and pretty, and utterly
unworldly," said the brunette, as Vir-
ginia Harold slipped into chair which
she had rolled toward them. She
must have been quite recently married, I"
she continued, " for she talked q great
deal about her pretty country home and
spa.' even had a description of pa,
who is a noble-looking old man, very
pale and tall, and a clergyman. He
has long, white beard, and blue eyes,
and his hair shines like silver. Accord
ing to her statement, she was his one
eve lamb, and hope General Chatfeld
will keep on being good to her. Amy
one can see that he is over head and
ears in love with her just now"
"I told You that she was a country
girl" chimed in Jenny Harold.
Mrs. Clio. Marshall bit her lip and
tapped the rich carpet impatiently with
the tip of her pointed shoe.
"Pm sure don't know what to make
of it," she said dreamily, and little
aside.
just then there was stir and rustic.
General Chatfield was entering. and
everybody turned to see the bride,
whose beauty had made 80 strong. an
impression.
She came in, leaning on the Generals
arm-a wee thing, scarcely up to his
military shoulders. Quite equal to the
moment she seemed, and utterly un-
conscious of the t1rore she was exciting.
Her face was brilliantly beautiful and
a trihe arch. The complexion was
faultless; the teeth a gleam of white
light under the exquisite tinting of her
lips; her smile took one captive; her
hair, confined by slender, golden wire,
fell in profusion upon neck and shoul-
ders, and shone like amber in the over
flow of light. She was dressed in a
rich blue silk, among the folds of which
her disengaged arm shone enchantingly
white, as she gracefully lifted the long,
sweeping train.
The General-audacious lover-went
the whole length of the room before he
was brought to a halt by Mrs. Clio. Mar
shall's glittering eyes. The rich widow
had risen, nervously, her hand rested
on Virginia Harold's shoulder, and the
young girl could feel that she trembled.
Mrs. MarshallI' he said, with
pleased smile: Lilly, this is friend
of mine; Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Chat
field"
Hwa saw zach otber soroatiroas II,
the hospitals, year or two ago." said
the widow, her voice and smile con-
strained, as she spoke to the young
wife.
!" Yes, you can't think how good Mrs.
Marshall was, Lilly" said the General
"and," turning to the widow, "you re-
member Cap.-poor Cap. Nolen? What
a time we had at that mess-dinner, eh
and the captured winel and the pre-
serves Wasn't it jolly? Poor Cap. is
dead perhaps you knew? Died out in
Nebraska"
Indeed" responded Mrs. Marshall
I" was not aware of that; l heard
nothing of it when was in Nebraska"
ly let his BRIDES arm slip, but lifted it
again. :" That's odd; few American
ladies go to that wild region for pastime.
When were you there ?'
"Only three months ago. I was in
-, and stopped at the Montrose
House. Her voice fell: I" It was my
chance to make few acquaintances
there.'
Four pairs of eyes were at that mo-
moment concentrated upon the Gen
erals face-a face that just then could
not be controlled. A glance of horror,
and yet an appeal for secrecy, flashed
into the widows resolute face. His
color came and went; he could have
shot himself for trembling from head
to foot. "a
Luckily, an old friend touched him
on the shoulder, and he turned away
but his face was as gray as ashes.
"How could you, Clio. ?" were the first
words spoken by Virginia.
Ms. Marshall drew long breath.
at was my fate, suppose" she said,
quietly; oh, that poor child p
Did you notice she changed color?"
queried Jenny.
"Why, what is it? 2" the voice of the
unsuspecting brunette chimed in.
"What made you all so queer2 I'm
sure the General looks frightened half
to death, and as to his little wife, 1