Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-02-27
The Bride of Lynedale Hall.
lCoNCLU DED.l

MY pretty, Siuipie hate! LOOK II
and thanked her when we met.
That evening, about two hours
before the ball began, I was with
John in his favorite retreat, the Ii.
brary, when Lady Clara entered.
Barely recognizing my presence,
: she began at once.
"Is it possible, John, that you
have ordered this box for Kate from
London I ] can hardly believe even
you capable of such follyw
III have ordered nothing" cried
John. II did not know Kate re.
quired anything. What do you
meanw
"There is a box just come from
London" cried Lady Clara, Tad.
dressed to Miss Kate Challis, con.
tanning the most magnificent dress l
ever saw-far better than or my
daughter eau afford. Shoes, gloves,
fan, opera cloak, wreath, boquet and
all complete. If you did not order
it, who did ~
"Most certainly, l did not" said
John, emphatically. "Is there no
bill or memorandum, or anything by
which you can tell from whence it
came?"
"Not a word !" she replied-"not
fold of paper"
How blessed Madame Cerise for
her attention to my wishes!
"What does Kate say herself y
asked John.
"She pretends to be surprised,
but it seems strange to me. l do
not like anything underhand-"
e John rang the bell, impetuously.
"Send Miss Challis to me at once !
he said and in two minutes she
came in, smiles and tears struggling
for mastery, looking so pretty, and
80 shy, so happy, and 80 puzzled, I
longed to clasp her in my arms, and
kiss her tears away. ...
"Kate." said John, "can you
guess who has made you this very |
handsome and valuable presentW
usMNo, UNCLE" she replied; "no one
has ever given me anything but
you."
"That will do, my DEAR" he said.
Swear your dress, and look as nice
as you can in it,"
Kate made her escape. Lady
Clara looked both baffled and spite
full.
"Your niece must have fairy
godmother !" she said, contemptu-
ously. IL do not like mysteries,
nor do | approve of a poor penni-
less girl like Kate being dressed
like duchess"
She went away. All this time l
sat pretending to read. When La.
dy Clara closed the door, poor John
sighed heavily.
"Who could have sent Kate that
dress I" he said. III shall never hear
the last of it i! Yet am glad some
one cares for the child."a
"She should marry neighbor,"
l said ; then you could take refuge
with her sometimes"
John had ceased all pretense with
me. He knep that I knew he was
henpecked and tyranized over in no
light degree.
John was, like myself, very anx.
ious to see Kate in her brave attire.
We contrived to send for her to the
library when she was dressed; and
know not who was most startled,
John or l.
She looked magnificently lovely.
The slender girlish figure, robed in
a flowing dress of white shining
silk, shrouded in costly lace-the
graceful head, with it's fair hair
with lilies and clusters of
scarlet verbena-every detail was
perfect; the white satin shoes, the
lainty gloves, the costly fan, the
ooquet of lilies and verbenas-the
bright, sweet face shone out from
The silk and lace so fair and sonsie.
"Well done, Kate !" cried John.
you will be the belle to night"
"Well done, somebody p said ;
Kate. Whoever sent this dress,
lid we'll, uncle"
Then she looked wistfully at me.
[ saw she was wishing that l, too,
had been presented with q box.
~ hope you will enjoy yourself, .
Kate" said John, wistfully. "Who ,
'hall you dance with I" ,
"Mr. Hylton," replied Kate, frank.
ly; "and l dare say Mr.. Horfrey ,
will ask me, as WE'LL" ,
John looked at her. His old In.