Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-11-20
At Inst.
BY NJ. NJ. I.

hidden on his shoulder, and looked fond
lv into the eyes that glanced up al him,
only TO drop their lids again. She
nressed his hand in silence then with a
lovers lingering farewell he left her.
She had settled her destiny. One
week from the coming Wednesday she
was TO become Robert Stones wife, ana
for the time, at least, she was content.
Sarah Leigh kept house for her
father. her mother having died three
wears previous. She was an only child,
was twenty-three years OF age, was
beautiful in person, variable In manner,
and witty in conversation lmpulsive
and uncontrolled in character, she old
not understand herself, and was not I'M
derstood by others and although beset
bv perversity of temper that was not
10 be counted on, and which renewed
her friends from any fear of rusting or
becoming tame in her society, sle was
nevertheless very loveable
She was seldom ill-tempercd, but she
knew no law but her own strong will
had many ways of getting that, and she
always had it.
She had many admirers. Robert
Stone and Henry Watson were rivals
for her regard If it were possible for
woman to love two men at the same
time. Sarah might be said to love these
two for she could hardly choose between
Them. But one evening, when Robert
stone was going away the next day, he
told her he loved her, and asked her to
be his wife, and she had discovered he
was her choice, and had promised TO
wed him.
They were both young men, about the
same age and standing in community,
were considered high-mindad and honor
able Henry Watson was a rising law
yer-was already prosecuting attorney
for the district. Robert Stone was III
no regular business, but had some capt.
tai. with which he speculated in stocks
and breadstuffs. Both were very much
in love with her, and each had manifest
ed it after his own way.
During Mr.. Stones absence she had
received MIR. Watsons attentions as
usual. and when he had offered himself
TO her for the second time, had the
second time refused him, all the while
feeling half inclination to accept him,
angry with herself that she could not,
and specializing whether she could.
Robert Stone had returned the day be-.
fore and had urged an immediate mar
rage. She had put him off as women
know how to put man off on such oc-
casions; but the next morning he had re-
newed his entreaties; he was obliged to
90 to Europe. Would she not marry
him and sail with him the ensuing We'd
nesday week?
His influence was always paramount
with her when he was present, and so
she consented, and was happy in the
idea of being his wife.
Ten days was all the time she had to
prepare in. These were passing in
Hurried expectation, settling what was
to be done, and doing it in the day, and
seeing Robert in the evening. On Eth
day morning he appeared, and begged
her to hasten the day, it would be so
much to his interest to sail on Saturday
instead of the Wednesday following.
To her reply that it was not possible, he
represented that her wardrobe could
easily be procured in Paris. Almost IT.
ritated at his opportunities, she would
not yield. He told her then that he
would be obliged to leave her and go to
New York to arrange his business he
did not think he could be back before
Tuesday night. He would write to her
daily.
she pouted and fretted at this, but at
length submitted as to the inevitable, to
which she never, however, yielded with
out a protest.
She began to feel nervous at what she
was about to do, and said to him, in an
irritable way, that ''They had better put
it off until he came back from Europe, ="
But his earnest, eager, 'sYou don't
mean il 2" had its effect. She had so
little experience in self-discipline or con-
troll that she usually gave expression to
all she felt at the moment indeed she
had heard such control talked of with q
sort of wonderment as to what it could
mean. He left her with evident reluc-
lance, and after he had gone she ehafed
for while because something had pre-
vented her from telling him what she
had almost determined To do, that she
could not be ready on Wednesday, not.
that she did not intend to be ready, but
she felt flurried and uncomfortable, and
he might as well know it. However,
Robert once gone, the excitement of the
occasion, the invitations. the wedding
clothes, and the wedding breakfast took
up all her time, if not her thoughts.
She was FESTIVE, as was natural, and in
his absence would ask herself if she
really loved him sufficiently to pass her
life with him. and sometimes in the
evenings, which would appear long to
her, she would fancy that she could not
marry him, she would write to him and
tell him so; then she would compose a
letter TO send him to that effect, and she
would imagine the hubbub and talk
her breaking off the marriage would
make, and ask herself what Henry Wat
son would think of it, and in this sort
of desultory way she let her thoughts
run.
Tuesday night brought Robert Stone
al. n, i
day. Sarah had no doubts or fears now !;
all states seemed with her TO
have resolved into one of pleasant anti
cipation. When Robert made his APP
pearance, dressed for the ceremony, be
was unusually exited. He flushed and
paled at word, started at a sudden
noise, and tore his gloves in his eager
ness to put them ON, so they had to wait
until another pair was procured. At the
altar he trembled so he almost dropped
the ring, and turned his head at the
closing of door so Hurried was he al
together, that there were many laughs at
his expense.
Sarah never appeared more womanly
or to more advantage; that evil spirit of
unrest and contrarity which usually pos
sessed her, was for time laid, and she
seemed quietly happy.
When the hour came for them to de-
part-they had three hours journey in
the cars, and had left themselves barely
time-she stood leaning on her husbands
arm in dependent way, quite unusual
with her, and said her farewells, and
shed the tears brides are expected. 10
shed, with a smile on her lip. The last
words were said and over, they had
waived their adieus to the waiting
groups, and the husband and wife had
begun the journey of lie. together.
They did not talk nauch. He was still
nervous, and looked around whenever
the door of the car opened, and seemed
uneasy when they stopped, which he ex-
planned by his eagerness to get on, fear
full they might be late She was still.
Many new emotions were in her bosom.