Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-11-29
SELECTED STORY

SELECTED STORY
ARNOLD'S WIFE.
1t had caused commotion in aristocrst
circles when it was known that Arnold Nor
ford has married a nobody.
"My DEAR said Mrs. Van Drumo t.
her friend and confdant, the stylish Mrs
Cleveland, "she is really nobody. He pick
ed her up at some out Of the-way place where
he was spending the Summer fishing Hi,
sisters are perfectly wretched about it,
II should think they might be- was the
symPathizing reply. "a young, handsome
man. with his wealth, position, and connec
tions-why, be might have married ia Gus
very first circles; )" and Mrs. Cleaveland
thought Of her daughter Arabella's thin
shoulders and twenty six Summers, and no.
ted the news upon her mental tablets as
zone more chance gone"
1t was not likely that so important per.
son as the only son of Morforl, Of Morford
& Giles, junior partner of that important
firm, nephew of Giles, a bachelor; who weuld
probably leave him all his money, could
marry without creating some stir in his own
social circle but when, as Mrs Cleavland
expressed it, he 'tneaked off to some oh.
ecure town to marry a raw country girl, be
was probably ashamed Of" society was real.
ly in futter.
It was understood by sympathizing
friends that Lucy Clifford and Leonora Max
we'll, the sisters of the bridegroom, were
completely Frustrated by their brothers in
fatuation and obstinacy, although the old
gentleman declared he ''did not see why the
boy should not marry as he pleased. There
was money enough to start him in life, if his
wife had not .wo dresses to wear"
In The meantime the young bridegroom,
happy and hopeful. was yet not entirely o.
liyious Of the probable commotion amongst
his friends, and keenly alive to the anger of
bis fashionable sisters He had won his
littles hr;de-hia wood violet, as he called
fhsEahen boarding with her widowed
mesilsr during Sumner vacation. He
loved her fondly, and he trusted il ssT f0va,
IS she had yet to learn that be was wealthy.
Yet deeply in love as he was, Arnold Nor
ford was slightly troubled. He had taken
his brids to New York, established her in a
fashionable hotel, and after week of quie t
happiness. ventnred upon the delicate
ground that caused his perplexity. Seating
himself upon the sofa, he drew his wife
down beside him, and thus commenced:
Il want to say something to you, Elite,
darling, that may hurt your feelings little,
Will you believe that | have motive for
doing So, and forgive me before I speak p
"You know I will" she said softly, lift
ing her shy blue eyes lovingly to his face.
She was very pretty /; little fairy like
blonde, with complexion like q miniature
painting. wealth Of golden curls, feet and
hands like Titania's, and mouth Ike a
cleft rosebud.
cit is about our future love. You mar
ried me believing we should live in tiny
house, where you would have to prepare the
meals, keep the rooms in order, and look
upon silk dress as a luxury to be INDUCED
in once in lifetime. Did you not z"
She only looked at him with wondering
eyes.
"Well, Elite, love in cottage is not to
be our lot. sweet though it is. My father
is a man who counts bis money in hundreds
Of thousands, my sisters are the wives Of
men Of large wealth, and am an only son +,
and junior partner in the firm of which my
father and my mothers brother are the
heads. l do not want my little wife to be
worried yet with the cares of housekeeping,
SO have taken suit Of rooms in large
boarding house, where she will have moth
ing to do but enjoy herself. Ny father
lives with my oldest sister, so there is nc
real homo for my fair bride. But now am
coming to the point that may wound you
your DRESS"
II thought you liked all my dresses, y
said the little bride, thinking Of the hours
she bad spent 9Th her mother stitching on
her modest trousseau.
Il do. If only my taste were consulted
would never want to see my little lilly.of-
the-valley in any dress but the pretty mus.
Inns in which first saw her. Bat, darling
my wife will have social position to main
tain, must moye in society, receive and pay
calls, 60 to concerts, parties, and operas,
and must dress in style BETTING her beauty
and my wealth. Now, Elite, don't look SC
terrified. You shall not go home for two
months, and before that time the dry-goods
merchants, dressmakers and millners shall
transform you into a fashiouably dressed lit
tie lady"
'But, Arnold, do you mean that [ mus
wear such dresses as the ladies we see at the
table p
"Exactly."
"And hats and cloaks such as we see OF
Broadway"
eyes"
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 7"
Don't fret about that"
II think I understand you, Arnold: Yor
will 60 with me, just at first, will yor
not 2"
She was sensible little woman, and lie
no foolish pique influence her, while yet he1
gentle modesty was untouched by the ides