The anti-monopolist., 1876-05-25
sis that the milliner's little girl? Pretty as
. u ILL

sis that the mllllners little girl! Pretty as
a daiseyy isn't she!''
Il told you she was pretty" said Miss
Bellefont; and Matte smiled and blushed
and dimpled, and scarcely knew which way |
to look. major, shall have to leave you |
for q tew minutes. l dare say you can
amuse yourself very we'll with books and
magazines. Little one, come with me-
And then Matte was ushered into sat-
in-hung boudoir, Of whose splendors she had
never before dreamed.
.Oh, Miss Bellefont,'' said she Il should
think you would be SO happy!'
''Happy!" said Miss Bellefont carelessly.
Which Of US is really happy in this world?
Come, let US try ON the emerald green satin,
and then we shall be through
Day after day Matte Everett came unit!
the wedding drew near. Sometimes she
saw Maj or Carlyle, sometimes she did not.
But the oftener she came, the often one Tx
ed fact became evolved from her inner con-
sciousness-that Augusta Bell lefont was-or
ought to be-the happiest girl in the world.
Yet there was an absent look in Augustus
great, blue eyes, a trouble expression Of the
mouth that forbade the inference OF perfect
bliss.
81 wonder what it is that is wanting in
her life?" said Matte of herself. "O.if on
ly were in her place!''
Lights, and blossoms, and the simmer Of
silk and satin usherel in Mise Bellefont wed
ding, evening; and Matte was there dimpl-
ed. smiling, and eager to help.
The brides maids were ready-all were
ready but the bride. Augusta Bellefont
had teen strangely capricious; and full OF
vagaries ali day, sometimes laughing some>
times almost sad.
Ready" she cried glancing at the lit
tie malachite clock On the mantle, as the
last simmons came. ''Surely it is not time
yet l won't dress until l am obliged
See here, to Matte .'Ive an idea Of seeing
what am like in this fine bridal garb OF
mine. You are about my height and build.
You shall put on the wedding dress and vail
the white satin slippers, and the wreath
81, Miss Augusta?'
"You. Why not? Quick! OF with that
sob brown gingham, that makes such an
insignificant brown sparrow OF you!"
! And half laughing, half reluctant, Matte
Everett obeyed, not altogether to decking
herself, even though it was in jest, with the
brilliant robes and resplendent pearls Of the
heiress.
The reflection in the mirror brought the
rosy carmine to her cheek. lnvoluntarlly
she dropped her eyes.
| "You are charming, nsa petite, cried Miss
Bellefont. But stay-the bouquet from
the other room. Wait half second, and
will bring it,
"Oh! Miss Bellefcut, let me co.
mo; I'll cut 1t in o minute"
And away she fitted.
One minute went by-two, three, four and
five, and still Miss Bellefont did not come
back. Matte began to grow uneasy and
ventured to peep into the next room beyond.
No one was there. The girls heart gave q
great iunp-at the same moment the bevy
cf brides maids Auttered into the room.
Come, Augusta, are you ready? The
groom is waiting-the clergyman's come
and-Why, Miss Everett
MittIe grew scarlet.
'.She made me put it oni' she taltered
conscious Of the awkwardness OF her posi-
tion.
"And where is she:" demanded indignant
Mrs. Eelletont.
Gone tor the bouquet
They made immed ate search for her, but
as the reader will probably conjecture Miss
Augusta was far enough away, and only
note, which Clara Mordaunt, the secont
bridesmaid, found slipped into the window
casing. gave any idea of her whereabouts
Good by" it said de6onnatriy. II low
Harry Fisk, and have gone to marry him
"a b"
And in the midst Of the melee. Majo
Carlyle tall head was seen, towering owe
the rest, like Saul above his fellows.
"Gone, has she?'' said he, with com
posure which was quite wonderful, unde
the circumstances. And l am left TO wea
the miiten Blu, who is this little ghostsi
the wedding robesf'
Matte Everett lifted her pleading eyes /
his.
Il didn / mean to do wrong said she
"OL, believe me, SIT, knew nothing OF a.
tn isl
Major Carlyle looked gravely at her.
Here is BRIDE said he. And her
: is the wedding feast, the clergyman and b
guests and, last Of all,o ;he.groom. So
think j, would be pity to lose the wedding
IeMiss Rellefout does not care for ne. 'ha
is no sign that others may not. Come here
little Matte Evere;t--will you be ID
BRIDE
Matte looked in his face q minute. an
then she said Yes"
ltwas strange wedding. bat il was
Wedding. after all.
And Matte is happier now than she eve
dreamed possible to be.
She has gained her wish-she u ric
and fashionable lady now, and orders a
! her dresses from Madame Genevleve.
, Mr.. and Mrs Fisk are living in Pari
/, , happy and impecunious. and Major Carly
!. . is lust ~ devoted to his pretty young vii
: Ms IL be had never had any other love.
6lB6S:
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