The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-04-20
THE DOUBLE WEDDING.

Marjorie Wallace represented to me
all that was noble, generous, self-sacri-
fcing III womanhood. My gratitude to
her begun when I was ten years old, and
she came to the cottage where my moth
er had s3raped out scanty food for her.
self and for me longer than my memory
recalls. She lifted me from that moth
er's dead, cold form, when l was Sob
bing out my childish agony, and cover
ing my thin, chilled limbs in her own
velvet cloak, carried me to her home
she clothed me in garments as soft and
fine as her own; she shared every luxury
of her splendid home with me; she gave
me teachers for all studies suited to my
age. AS l grew to womanhood she
introduced me to society as her adopted
sister. Best of all, she loved me
She was twenty-five when she took
me home, and for eight years can re
call only happiness. L had no whim un.
gratifed no reasonable wish crossed OF
denied. If L had been indeed the sis
ter she called me she could not have
lavished upon me more tender care and
affection.
When 1 was eighteen 1 had a lovel
who won my whole heart. 1 gave him
love, unconsciously, and when his words
showed me what my own sensations
meant 1 shrllnk back affrighted. With
the intuition of deep, grateful affection,
I knew that Marjorie had wrapped NJ
her life in mine. She stood utterly
alone in the world. Her paid compan
ion and housekeeper was a matron oil
middle age, whose whole soul was alb
sorbed in preserves, pickles and crotchet
work. In her loneliness she had taken
me into her great, noble heart, and when
1 left her 1 knew / should leave he1
desolate.
SO I shrunk back from the avowal that
was such an ecstacy of delight, such q
bitter self-reproach. 1 thought 1 had
conquered all traces of emotion in my
face as 1 went from the garden where
we had walked-my lover and myself,
to Marjorie's sitting But she
looked into my face, with her soft,
beautiful eyes shadowed by troubled
inquiry.
"Have you quarreled with Stephen T.
she asked.
mol have not quarreled-we-
that isl do not think he will come
again"
Z.
els it possible that you are that base
trifer, coquette," she said, in a voice
full of indignation, "that you have led
Stephen to believe that you loved him
only from vanity, and have rejected his
honest, true love?'
In my deep pain that she could sc
misjudge me L sobbed out the truth
that loved Stephen, but that it seemed
to me base ingratitude to desert her.
"Child child !" she said, softly,
gathering me in her arms. Heaven
forbid your life should be sacrificed tc
me Did you ever hear among oul
friends of my love story2"
"Never ~ said, earnestly. "But !
knew there was great grief in your life
at some time. could see it in your
eyes, even in your smile. 1t is tender
and sweet, but never joyous"
"When l was your age," she said,
gently stroking my hand as she spoke,
81 was called handsome, and l was as
light hearted as bird. My orphanhood
was an event SO long past that I have
no recollection of my parents but my
uncle was father and dear companion to
me. He was wealthy man, and gave
me every advantage that wealth can be,
stow. And when Arnold Halcombe -
1 started at that name, but Majorie
did not notice, continuing her story
"wooed me for his wife, Uncle Charles
made no objection, though my lover wa:
poor man, compared to my uncle. We
were very happy in those days, very
happy! Arnold was true, noble man.
one to whom love was a sacred word, {
womans heart sacred trust. We had
been betrothed nearly six months wher
Uncle Charles decided to accept an invi
tation to spend week with some city
friends to give me an opportunity to dc
shopping, for in the spring was to be
Arnold Halcombe's wife. We started of
gayly, and spent most delightful weel
in London. Uncle Charles was resi-
dent there during several years before
he retired from business, and could
take me to visit all points of interest
We made large purchases for my brida
outfit, and returned home.
ALAS we returned, mourning heavi
ly, where we had left so gayly. UpoI
our trip from the city, Uncle Charles, il
some way, made a false step upon tn,
platform from railway carriage. ant
fell, injuring himself so severely that i'm
mediate amputation of both legs became