Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-30
NO. 3os.
Talss aud Sk&tehss.
A WELCOME WINDrALL.

w AASVAA WANDG A0De
In a luxuriously furnished drawing
room, whose windows faced Hyde Park,
one lovely afternoon in June, l6--, sat q
lady, whose age, judging from her appear.
ance, was about twenty three. She was
alone, but by her restless movements and
varying expression, it was evident that
some one was momentarily expected.
Her face was fair one, but bore on n the
unmistakable impress of anxiety, which
shaded features of no ordinary beauty.
She was simply but elegantly dressed IN a
pale mauve muslin; and on her white en-
gers glittered some rings Of great value.
In addition to the one plain circlet which
proclaimed her to be a wife.
She glanced with an anxious, look from
the window towards the park, and sighed.
Mot sign of him. What can 1t be ?''
Then she paced up and down the room nm
til knock at the door arrested her, and
her maid entered, holding in her arms a
fragile and perfect dress Of white tulle and
costly lace, which had just arrived from
Madame Elise, with an inquiry whether
Mrs. Vivian would wear it that evening.
or decide upon another. Mrs. Vivian
for such was the lady's name-without a
glance at the dress in question, replied
"No, Forrest. you can put it away. l
don't think shall 60 out at all tonight.
Forrest retired at once, not without sun
dry suppressed comments on the ersssss-
dinary decision Of her young mistress.
Not going out, after ordering this lovely
dress, and to the duchess ball, too-well,
| never And feeling quite aggrieved.
Forrest carried it up to Mrs. Vjyian's
dressing room, and deposited it carefully
on the sofa. maybe she'll change her
mind when master comes in, she reflect.
ed sagely, $50 | won't put it In the ward.
robe"
At seven O'Clock, hanson dashed up to
the door Of the Vivians' house. and in
moment or two Mr.. Vivian was with his
wife.
"Oh, my darling Charley. why are you
SO late :? have been in despair about
you.'
II couldn't help it, Alice; you don't
know how glad | am to get back even
now" He kissed his wife fondly, and
they seated themselves together, whilst
he prepared to explain the reason of his
delay.
81 see it is bad. Charley. Don't be
afraid to tell me-" she said eagerly.
''It is bad indeed, Alice; it hardly could
be worse. have moved heaven and
earth to try to get some money; but un-
less a miracle happens. nothing can save
us. Everything has gone down, down,
down; and unless marvellous rise comes
within the next week, shall be utterly
smashed"
1--WE can but hope,n murmured Alice;
land II the crash comes we have each
Otber.'!
my own wife. my brave, hopeful, Low.
ing wife" responded Mr.. Vivian fervent-
ly. ''vou are indeed precious comforter
Yet it is principally on your account
dread it,"
Don't think of me. shall be happy
wherever we are. and feel can bear any
thing rather than this uncertainty: it
seems like being on precipice."
The two sat talking for some time, in
turns comforting each other on the subject
of some coming disaster which it was evil
dent they considered it impossible to avert.
They had only been married six months;
and when Alice Annesley became the wife
of the rich banker, Charles Vivian, the
world in general smiled on her nuptials
and considered her most fortunate girl,
for he was young, prosperous, and hand
some, and most truly in love with her;
whilst she, entirely returning his affection,
thought little of the pecuniary advantages
of her marriage. in comparison with the
fact that her lot in the future was 10 be
linked with that OF one who so thoroughly
possessed her heart.
Miss Annesley was an. orphan. and, up
to the time Of her marriage, had lived
with married sister, some ten years her
senior, a Mrs. Frederic Atwood. Mr.. At
wood was Il city man OF considerable
wealth, and it was through him that Alice
had made her husbands acquaintance;
and in six weeks after meeting for the
first time, they were married.
Little was known of Mr.. Viyian's an
tecedents beyond the fact that he was a
distant relation OF Il very old family of his
own name; that he possessed no near rel
atives, but was eminently agreeable, be-
longed to Il first rate club, was a general
iavorite with both sexes. and was inyaria-
bly, met in the best circles. which was
conclusive proof that there was nothing
about him. lie had, not
many years before meeting Alice, become
Il partner in banking house in the city,
and rs from that time his wealth seemed
constantly to be increasing, it was gener-
ally believed that his business was first
rate one. And. indeed. so it had been;
and when he married, he could afford to
install his bride in one OF the incest houses
in London, with every appliance of COM
fort and luxury. 1t was wonderful mar
riage for Alice, who only possessed a small
yearly income OF one hundred and fifty
pounds. which, however, her fathers old
est friend and family lawyer, Mr.. Upton,
insisted should be safely settled upon her.
self. This caution on the part of the law
yer was deemed by Mr.. Atwood to be su-
perfuous; but Mr.. Upton was firm, and.
in spite of remonstrance from even Alice
herself, did his utmost to make the BRIDE
groom-elect settle certain amount upon
her in addition; but here he failed, and
was obliged to be satisfied with having se-
cured her own moneys good deed. for
which no one thanked him at the time.
Mr.. Vivian made his wife magnificent
presents; the Atwoods were most liberal;
and friends seemed to start up in every
direction, eager to add their offerings to
the bridal gifts so plentifully bestowed on
the future Mrs. Vivian. To be brief, the