Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-10-19
New Series-VOl. 16. No. 40

came to Lcndon, intending to remain here
But he wishes still to retain some of hi
Australian possessions, and is looking for al
agent, to whom he offers far greater advant
ages than those he possessed himself. Wher
he first proposed to me to go, 1 thought as
think now, that preferred to pursue the bus
iness have here, and get rich slowly, thar
exile myself perhaps for years. But had you
persisted in what you said this morning,
think tomorrow should have accepted my
cousins offer"
SIS your cousin married?"
''Oh, no! And yet he is as free from bach.
elor eccentricities as am. He had some dis.
appointment in his youth, and it never SCARED
or embittered him. He is a splendid fellow,
one OF the handsomest men ever saw, and az
noble as he is fine looking. But why are you
interested about him?"
81 will tell you when you come, and in the
meantime, will you use your influence to per
suade him to come here with your"
''Here?"
Eyes, here. Bring him with you Make
whatever excuse you like, only bring him"
''But | do not understand" began Stephen.
'.Never mind. have promised to tell you
then"
81 will bring him if he will come"
was sure he would comel 1t was hard to
carry secret hidden from Majorie's loving
eyes for an entire month; but, fortunately, we
were soon engrossed in wedding preparations;
for Majorie, remembering her own broken
love dream, had consented and won my con-
sent for Stephens wish to be married in JAN
uary.
So we spent the late October and early No
vember days IN stitching for the fnery that
every bride wishes to take to her new home.
And as our needles flew in and out upon the
dainty work we reserved from hired hands,
Majorie told me more of her own youthful
life, revealing unconsciously how purely un-
selfish she had ever been, how her whole life
had gradually led upward to the noble self
sacrifice that left her at thirty-thr still
single.
When the day came, all my nervous anxiety
about our preparations was attributed to my
desire to have Stephen pleased; but strange as
it may seem, was not thinking of Stephen.
He was to come on the train due at half-past
ii, and the carriage was sent to the station to
meet him.
was dressed early, and fused about Ma
jorie till even her quiet gentleness was reused
to opposition.
"Why, child, it is absurd, she said, as l
dragged my favorite of all dresses from the
wardrobe. 81 shall look like goose in the
morningl"
''But we will have no chance to dress
again." l urged, ''and this is so becoming"
l had pulled her hair down, and was
twining the magnificent raven lengths into
the most becoming coiffure my skill! could
compass. In the glossy braids 1 twisted a
half wreath of fine leaves with the scarlet
blossoms had stolen from the conservatory.
The dress Majorie would not wear, but she
chose heavy black silk, with trimmings of
thread lace, and let me put scarlet bow upon
the fine lace at the throat, and coral earrings
in the small white ears.
81 look like flamingo!" she protested.
"You look like a queen" persisted.
And she did look superbly handsome. The
folds of silk trailing upon the ground suited
well her tall, noble figure and her face was
the most beautiful ever saw. Her life of
constant usefulness, charity and intellectual
development had left its seal in the depths of
her large dark eyes, the smile upon her per-
| feet mouth.
1t required some diplomacy to escape OBJ
servation when 1 led our visitors into the
house, bnt | invented an errand that sent Mar
joric to my room just as the carriage drove
up.
Stephen was accompstd by his cousin,
and my first look into his handsome face con-
vineed me that memory was busy at finding
himself in Marjories house. 1 gave a scant
greeting to Stephen before 1 drew Arnold
Halcombe into the library. l scarcely know
in what words told him of my debt to Mar
jorie, of her confidence to me, and my plan,
of which was careful to assure him she was
totally ignorant. But his answers sent me
with flying feet to seek my benefactress.
found her in my room vainly searching
for the ornament had fast in my pocket, but
my face caused her to pause in the task.
''What good news does Stephen bring that
makes my little girl so radiant?" she asked.
81 put my arms about her, and holding her
fast, said, almost sobbing in eagerness:
"Marjorie, since the day you lifted me from
my poverty and suffering to utter happiness,
l have never ceased to pray that at some time
l might be permitted to bring some brightness
to you"
''Dear child, every hour you are with me
answers your prayer. she said lovingly.
'But 1 never hoped" said, ''that 1 could
bring you such glad tidings as l have now."
''To me ?" she cried, her sweet face grow
ing pale.
''Of Arnold Halcombe," said softly, ''of
his true unchanging love for you; of his faith
full devotion to the one deep affection of his
life; of Marjorie, of his presence here to-day
to tell you this himself"'
l was sobbing by this time in excited joy.
But Marjorie, only little paler, her eyes
slowly irradiating with glorious light, said:
''Here? Arnold Here ?''
sin the library, waiting for you," answer.
ed, suddenly releasing her, plunging down
stairs rushing in upon patient Stephen in the
drawing room, and executing pas seal for
his benefit that certainly would have admitted
me to any lunatic asylum in the country.
Then pulled him down, and, in whispers,
told him about it, laughing and crying, till he
declared l would wind up with fit of
Mysteries
But didn't. was as proper and prettily
behaved as possible when Marjorie came in,