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

CHAPTER XVIII
THE DOUBLE WEDDING.
1t is the night before the bridal. Ev-
erything is prepared-the bridal tros-
seaus, with all their gay appendages.
The tables are spread in an adjoining
room, laden with the richest gifts
friends and money can procure. All is
ready for the brides, who are to stand
before their God and take upon them
those VOWS which will render them
either happy or miserable for life. There
is to be a double wedding-Norman and
Sonora, Harry and Adele.
The Colonel and his wife were de-
lighted with Harry's choice, and freely
gave their consent to the union, which
was to take place at the same time with
Sonora's, when the youthful couples
were to start Immediately for Mrs.
Summers home at the South.
Everything was at last arranged to
their satisfaction, and the older part of
the family had retired, leaving the low
ers, with Blanche and Cordelia Marsh,
together with Claude Montrose and An
drew Golfer, the former a friend of Nor
mans and the latter of Harry's, who
We're to act as groomsmen on the follow
ing day, in the parlor to enjoy them
selves alone for while. Music and
singing occupied them for some time.
At last Blanche having arisen from the
piano, Andrew Golfer, a bachelor of
forty, exclaimed:
well, come, let US talk over the we'd
ding affairs, for that is what we are here
for. Harry, stand up there" taking
him by the shoulder; "and Miss Sum-
mers, allow me to escort you by his
side" as he offered her his arm laugh
ingly. "Now, Norman and Sonora"
and placing Blanche and Claude Mon
trose on either side, he took his own
place, with Cordelia, by the side Of
Harry and Adele. ''Here we are, just
as we are to look on the morrow. I
never was so near being married before
1 don't know how I shall survive it,n
said he, looking so ludicrous that the
whole party burst out laughing.
"What was that?" asked Sonora, as
their merriment ceased. ''Har6i there
it goes againr' and listening, heavy
groan was distinctly heard in the back
parlor opening upon the conservatory.
perhaps it is Rissey fallen asleep
among the flowers" said Harry, joking
~. "You know she is very fond of the
beautiful! I will go and see," and pro-
ceeding to the conservatory, looked eau
tiously around, but could perceive moth
ing to call forth such a sound. Coming
back again, he observed, isis, L guess
you are a little nervous. 1t was only
our Imagination"
'Perhaps you are right, dear BROTHER"
said Sonora, endeavoring to appear
calm.
"Come, Dell, sing us another of your
sweet songs" said Harry, leading his
beautiful betrothed to the piano. at
will dispel these nervous fears"
Complying with his request, she was
followed by the rest joining in a merry
chorus, till at last, tired and sleepy, they
dispersed to their separate apartments,
except Claude and Andrew, who boarded
at the AstOr House, and who could not
be prevailed upon to stay. They prom
ised to be on hand at an early hour the
following day. As they descended the
steps the former remarked:
"What a happy fellow my friend Nor
man is in the possession of the lovely
Miss Hewitt. ] quite envy him his
happiness"
"Do not envy him, but go thou and
do likewise" responded the iovial
bachelor. "There are plenty of ladies
in the land, and there never was Jack
without a Gill"
"Thank you; you are complimentary
but upon my soul think I shall sci
my cap as the saying is, for the charm
ing brunette, Miss Marsh" replied hi,
comrade.
"Ah, I see! Well, I wish you goo,
success in your undertaking." said An
drew, as they ascended the stairs Of til
hotel, where, wishing each other goo
night, they separated, the one to hi
bed, to seek rest in peaceful slumbel
and the other to the gaming table, 70
Claude AIontrose was a libertine and
gambler.
Andrew Golfer was, as we have SAID,
bachelor. He was born in the good ol
State of New Jersey, and was, at tn
time We introduce him, about forty
His round rosy face always had a smil
for a friend, and wherever he was h
was the life Of the company. He la
been engaged for many years in th
Canton Tea Company, and had but late
ly returned from England, where Il
had been upon some business. On tn
steamer he fell in with Claude Nor
trose, a young Frenchman, and bot
stopping at the same hotel, soon b,
came friends, though Andrew did nr
particularly fancy Claude. whom i
certainly would have Thought less
had he known his true character \
wonder that Claude and Norman soo
became firm friends, for vice alwa,
finds its equal.
The day has at length arrived wbe
Sonora is to became the bride of No
man Mcintosh. The warm April s,
as it peeps in at her window arouses II
from her uneasy slumbers. Startir