Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-10-19
A DOUBLE WEDDING.

Majorie Wallace represented to me all tina
was noble, generous, self-sacrifcing in woman
hood. My gratitude to her began when wa
ten years old, and she came to the cottag
where my mother had scraped out scanty foo(
for herself and me longer than memory recalls
She lifted me from that mothers dead, COLI
agony and covering my thin, chilled limbs il
her own velvet cloak, carried me in her arm
to her carriage, to her home, to luxury, eas
and love- had never had love. My methe
loved gin, and not her child. was fed whel
drink had made her good-natured, and beatel
when drink aroused a brutal demon in he
heart. I tell this that it may be understood
what l owed to Majorie Wallace. No, cal
never tell it. She carried me to her home; sh'
clothed me in garments as soft and fine as he
own, she shared every luxury of her splendiC
home with me; she gave me teachers for al
studies suited to my age. As grew to WON
anhood she introduced me to society as he
adopted sister. Best of all, she loved mel
She was twenty five when she took me home
and for eight years can only recall happiness
had no whim ungratifed, no reasonable wish
crossed or denied. If l had been indeed the
sister she called me, she could not have lavish
ed upon me more tender care and affection.
When was eighteen 1 had a lover who won
my whole heart. l gave him love unconscious
ly, and when his words showed me what my
own sensations meant, L shrank back alright.
ed. With the intuition of deep, grateful af
fection, knew that Marjorie had wrapped ul
her life in mine. She stood utterly alone in
the world. Herpaid companion and house
keeper was a matfon of middle age, whose
whole soul was absorbed in preserves, pickles
and crotchet work In her loneliness, Mar.
jorie had taken me into her great, noble heart
and when left her knew that l should leave
her desolate.
So shrank back from the avowal that wa:
such an avowal of delight, such bitter self
reproach. l thought had conquered all trace:
of emotion in my face as l went from the gar
den where we had walked-my lover and L
to Majorie's sitting-room. But she looked into
my face, with her soft, beautiful eyes shadow.
ed by troubled inquiry.
'sHave you quarreled with Stephen?" she
asked.
''No, have not quarreled-we-that is
don't think he will come again."
For the first time she frowned sternly.
SIS it possible that you are trifier, CO
-, 81, f,,n of
dignation, ''that you have led Stephen to be
lieve that you loved him only from vanity, an(
have rejected his honest, true lovc?"
In my deep pain that she could so misjudg'
but it seemed to me base ingratitude to de
sert her.
''Child! child!' she said softly, gathering m,
in her arms, ''Heaven forbid that your lif
should be sacrificed to me! Did your friend
ever tell you of my love story?"
'.Never," 1 said earnestly. 'But l knew
there was great grief in youl life, at SOM
time. l could see that in your eyes, even il
your smile. 1t is tender and sweet, but neve
| joyous"
"When was your age" said she, gentl,
stroking my hair as she spoke, 81 was cale,
handsome, and was as lighthearted as bird
My orphanage was an event 50 long past that
have no recollection of my parents; but m,
uncle was father and dear companion to me-
He was a wealthy man, and he gave me ever
advantage that wealth can bestow. And whel
| Arnold Halcombe-"
1 started at that name, but Marjorie did nc
notice, but continued the story-''wooed m
for his wife. Uncle Charley made no obiec