The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-08-16


and sinking back upon her pillow, she
remained for a while buried in thought.
AT length she arose, and falling upon
her knees, she once more invoked the
blessings Of God to aid and strengthen
her in that dreaded hour when she
should stand before Him and give her
hand without her heart. AS she arose
from her knees, feeling considerably re-
freshed in mind, the merry voices of
Cordelia and Blanche at the door caused
her TO make hasty toilet and descend
to the breakfast room, where she was
met by Adele, looking so happy and
radiant that her own heart sunk again
within her.
Mrs. Hewitt, Harry and Norman were
in the garden, culling some of the early
spring flowers and enjoying the fresh
breeze. The Colonel stood at the win
dow, looking over the morning paper,
but as his daughter entered laid it
down, and coming towards her, said:
$50 this is the last morning we shall
breakfast together for a long time, my
pet?" and putting his arms around her.
drew her towards him.
Sonora leaned heavily against her
fathers breast, but her heart was too
full for tears, and she remained perfect
ly quiet, scarcely breathing, though the
hand which rested in his trembled a
little and felt so icy that the Colonel
raised his child's head to see if she in
deed breathed. Sonora raised her eyes
and met those of her father fixed upon
her with such an affeetionate look that
she for a moment lost her command,
and would have thrown herself at his
feet and begged him to have released
her from the snare which seemed to be
cast about her just then. Her mother
and the gentlemen entering caused her
to release herself, as she returned the
morning salutation. Harry was the
only one who noticed her agitation
nothing regarding his idOlized sister es-
capped his watchful eye.
The breakfast was passed over with
great merriment, even Sonora joining
in with the rest, for a moment forget |
ting her own feelings. The morning
was passed by the girls i'm the little bou-
doir Of Sonora, looking over and rear
ranging the dresses and the numerous
trinkets which were TO adorn the fair
forms Of the brides. Lunch being over,
they all repaired to their rooms to dress /
for the wedding, which was to take /.
place at four o'clock.
The house was darkened from top to
bottom in the latest fashion of the day,
and the gas turned on full force, till all
within doors was literally i'm blaze Of
light, for in this, like everything else,
Mrs. Hewitt insisted upon having it her
way, and nothing would do but the er-
treDe of fashion. Sonora's desire was
that she might be married quietly,
without any ostentacious display, but
not so with her mother who wished
her friends to think that her daughter
had made brilliant match, and bril-
liant indeed it seemed. The lights from
at least fifty burners cast their reflection.
upon the superb mirrors which graced
the walls on all sides, and upon the ele-
CANT plate arranged upon the table and
designated as "bridal gifts"
All was splendor, wealth and magnifi-
cence, and as the few friends who had
been so highly hOnored as to be invited
. began to assemble, all seemed happi-
ness and gayety. \ line Of carriages
] I.ar..r, NJ
half way around the park. The Rev.
DIR. of Grace Church had already ar
rived.
When Sonora, who stood gazing out
of her window like one in a dream, was
told that all was ready, and that Harry
was waiting to take the lead, Norman
came forward and smilingly offered her
his arm, which she took without rails
ing her eyes or appearing to notice any
one.
At length the rustling of silks an
t nounced the appearance of the expected
brides, who were dressed precisely alike.
5 Their dresses of richest white moire,
covered with one of the most elegant
] point lace, and a veil to match, which
: swept the floor as they walked, gave to
e them an almost royal appearance, and
d Indeed their dresses could scarcely be
IS excelled even by the royalty them
r, selves. a magnificent set of pearls was
II their only ornament, save those of nat.
a ural orange-buds, which lightly held
the delicate fabric upon their heads
n Blanche and Cordelia were each robe,
d in elegant but perfectly plain whit,
e silk dresses, whose ample skirts gave {,
, them a majestic appearance. The,
10 wore no ornaments Of any kind, witt
"a the exception of delicate wreath O
a jessamine upon their heads. Harry an
% Adele took the lead, as they were to b
married first, followed by Andrew Colte
- and Cordelia Marsh; then came Normal
- and Sonora, followed by Blanche an
Claude, and behind all walked the Colo
!, mel, his lady and Mrs. Summers.
Harry and Adele with their attend
- ants took their places upon the fiOol
"a and in a few moments were Joined tc
,r gether by the holy tie of matrimony
n Stepping back little, they made roor
N for the other party in front, who immC
Is diately took their places. Norman al
peared perfectly composed, but SOnor;
whose face was the same color as he
IN dress, seemed so agitated that it wa
r. with difficulty she could gain comman