National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-02-14


you see; the last benediction had bee,
bestowed by the energetic bosom o,
William the gardner, who stood at tho
gate to catch the last OF us; and we were
at length together alone, my husband
and !. My husband How strange
and yet how delicious it was! To think
he was now mine forever. "Till death
us do part sounded very fond and
true. But the words conjured up nc
terror of the shadow feared Of man,
Death was too far away n phantom to
be feared. And l only heard a loving
voice at my side saying
Darling, darling little woman
Mine at last! and felt perfectly silly
with happiness accordingly.
There were plenty Of villagers at theii
cottage doors and windows, and many q
head bobbed beamingly at us, as VIC
rolled along stationwards through the
winter sunlight. The station reached
"a small sleepy junction on the Exc
ter line-we got out of the carriage, pre-
pared for the trial attendant npon coup
les newly wed. We should have be-
trayed ourselves just the same, even if
had done as that dear anxious old Fred
wanted me to do. But, really, to go
away with old trunks and shabby
clothes. No. I could not.
While Fred went to get the tickets
I saw TO the luggage. We were going
to town. What better place for win
| ter honeymoon? Aud we meant to see
a good deal--mooning about with eyes,
mouth, and ears open, like typical coun-
try cousins.
Joseph, properest of coachman, gave
me an aifectionate farewell. | don't
mean, of course, that he embraced me;
and seeing the train that was to bear us
away rapidly nearing, he hicked Tom
my, the old horse, ON the right flank, as
| gentle reminder for the sake of the
| family to look smart. With great
deal Of exceedingly and, as think, I'M
/ necessary noise, the train came slowly
in, groaning as if in pain.
| The next thing was to secure coupe
| to ourselves-at least, Fred seemed to
think SO. After the passing of sundry
small coin, and having run the gauntlet
of the inquisitive, surly, amused, and
/ Indifferent among the pas myers We
succeeded; and found ou4 selves com
fortably ensconced, with all our small
/ traps about us. And when the train
moved off, and my darling's hand came
feeling softly for my waist. and then
stole lovingly around it, forgot to be
scandalized why, indeed, should /
have been?) and laid my nose on the
shoulder of his shaggy Ulster, and, felt
as delightfully."- happy and as deliciously
frightened as any silly little bride of a
few hours could be.
"Swindon Swindon! Stop here FIVE
minutes. | was far too comfortable to
care to get out. Besides Fred said he
would bring me something from the re-
freshment rooms. He would insist on
my having some sherry to keep the cold
out. The five minutes delay exacted
by the contract of the vendor of vile
commodities had nearly expired.
had put my lips to the sherry. which
Fred finished, to get the sweetness, as
the silly fellow said, which my lips had
left in the glass. He had restored that
article to its proper place and owner,
and was just stepping into the carriage
when he suddenly turned, exclaiming-
by Jove! I've left MY"
The words were lost in the din. l
saw the baize-covered door swing on
him as he passed through into the re-
freshment rooms. l looked eagerly af-
ter him; for | hated his being out of my
sight for moment. Would he never
come? .:s
A station bell rang violently. Several
guards and porters shouted "any more
going on?" The engine shrieked, and
moved. l started up. helpless almost
by reason of the rugs so carefully folded
round me. I pushed past the passen-
gers in the other coupe in the most un-
ceremonious manner. put my head out
of the window. Wewere moving swift
ly away now. The last advertisement
board had vanished behind us, and all
saw was my darling Fred. now far away
in the distance, frantically gesticulating
in the midst of knot of porters, and, L
am afraid swearing terribly. My TEL
low passengers tried to console me, but
turned deaf and ungrateful ear to
their consultations, and got back to my
corner, pulled to the coupe door, and,
burying my head in the blue window
curtain, utterly regardless of my new
bonnet, cried copiously in my misery.
What was l to do? Should | go on
to Paddington, and wait Fred's arrival
at the hotel we had fixed upon ? / could
not. How could | meet the walters and
chambermaids, a bride without her
bridegroom Should / wait at the Pad
dington terminus Should I get out
at the next station, and take the first
down train back to Swindon? Should
I-oh! what should ! do, with all the
luggage looking so terribly new and
fresh; and myself, in my smart, new
things, an unmistakable case of BRIDE
And by this time my gloves were quite
spoiled by the tears that were flowing
recklessl and literally down my VICE.
begone cheeks at
What would Fred do? If he were to
telegraph to the hotel to meet me on my
supposed arrival, what would the people
at the hotel think? But perhaps he
would send a message TO Didcot to c. Och
me there. This possibility cheered me
considerably. so l dried my tears,
smoothed my disordered hair, pinched
my bonnet into its pristine shape, blew
my nose, and sat bolt upright In reads
ness for Didcot; for by this time we
were visibly slackening speed. let
down the window for two reasons: in
hopes that the fresh air would blow
away the traces of my tears; and in or
der to be perfectly prepared to Jump
out on the welcome platform, which l
felt sure would restore my husband to
me. Before the tr,in had come to
stand-still, I had beckoned porter to
me, and as he ran along the still moving
train, managed to gasp out, in voice
indistinct through excitement
HAS a telegram come for me %
The man looked aghast.