The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-01-13
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EDITH WELDoNs MARRIAGE.
AN UNTowARD DELAY

Ten years ago it was less the custom
than at present, for people to be MIR.
ried in church. At that period the
good clergyman was want to come to
the residence Of the brides father"
where, in the presence of few init.
mate friends, the ceremony would take
place, after which, perchance, would
follow reception for the less favored
ten thousand !" aud it was upon this
plan that Edith Weldon's was arranged
to take place. 1t was within the hour
appointed for the marriage, and she
stood ready dressed in her pretty bou
doir, when her mother came in to at.
tend to the final touches in the fastcn-
ing of the bridal veil
I" Has Dick come ?" asked Edith,
staying her mothers hand as she was
about to throw the fiinsy lace over her
head
mo, not yet, Of course. Why 1!
don't look 50 pale, my dazzling, it is not
time for him YET
" wish ho were here, sighed Edith
Somehow cannot help worrying about
him"
"You are nervous, dear, that is all :"
said Mrs. Weldon, kindly. ale will
be here presently, Dick was never
unpunctual, aud he will scarcely be to.
night"
While the finishing touches are put
to the pretty toilette, few words with
regard to the story Of Edith are neces.
slry.
Theyoung bride was the eldest daugh.
ter OF one Of our city merchant princes,
a lovely woman, though perhaps shade
more demure than most girls of her
age Yet in spite of her quiet, an
what some of her friends called +" old
fashioned ways, they were somewhat
surprised when she accepted Mr.. Rich
ard Strong as her lover, lie was
country gentleman, scion Of one of the
best families New York can boast, aud
lived on his farm, which he took great
pains in cultivatiug. He was man of
hne powers, and high education, but
his agricultural life had lead to Ger.
tain roughness of dress and manner
that was at times almost uucouth. Then
his face was browned by the sun to
deep tan color, his hands were rough and
brown, and he would not wear gloves.
aud would wear heavy boots, Despite
this, he was fine looking man, with
Intelligent eyes aud well knit frame
and Edith had sense enough to see be,
meath the somewhat rude exterior a
cultivated mind aud atfectionato heart.
Mr. Weldon was well pleased with
his daughters choice. Mr.. Strong's
family was one for which he had the
highest respect, and Edith's sirple
tastes were such us admirably fitted her
for country life. The young lady's CITY
friends were, however, con temptious at
her lovers unmistakable bucolic appear.
ance aud some of these who looked
no deeper than the surface, declared
that he was only country "clod hop
per-" To tell the truth, Edith herself
had been little Mortified at Dicks
utter Indifference to style, aud had even
urged him to employ her farther's
tailor.
"Go to Digby!" he exclaimed, with
horror "why, he would make me look
like a fool ! No; Bounderby always
has made my clothes, and Bounderby
always shall. Hekuows how tosuit meY"
And SO even the wedding garments
were made by Bounderby, who had
large run of custom among the gentle
man farmers OF New York, and under.
stood how to make coats of excellent
material and not particle of style.
Edith's toilette was complete by half
past seven, and her mother aud brides.
maids left her to finish their own pre-
parations. For short time she WINS
alone, aud sat listening to every ring Of
the bell, hoping each Que was Dicks
and expected to be called down to meet
him. as the moments went by aud no
message came her anxieties increased.
1t was certainly very strange that he
had not arrived, He was the very soul