The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-07-21
Miscellaneous.
THE DOUBLE WEDDING.

Marjorie Wallace represented to me al
that was noble, generous, self sacrificing il
womanhood. My gratitude to her begun
when | was ten years DID, and she came tC
the cottage where my mother had scrapeC
out scanty food for herself and for me longe
than my memory recalls. She lifted me from
that mothers dead, cold form, when wa.
sobbing out my childish agony, and covering
my thin, chilled limbs in her own velve
cloak, carried me in garments as soft ant
fine as her own she shared every luxury Of
her splendid home with me; she gave mt
teachers for all studies suited to my age
As 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 I can recall only
happiness had no whim ungratified, NJ
reasonable wish crossed or denied. If haC
been indeed the sister she called me she
could not have lavished upon me more ten,
der care and affection.
When ! was eighteen / had lover who
won my whole heart. l gave him love, un.
consciously, and when his words showed me
what my own sensations meant | shrunk
back affrighted With the intuition o
deep, grateful affection. | knew that
Marjorie had wrapped up her life in mine
She stood utterly alone in the world Hel
paid companion and housekeeper was ma
tron Of middle age, whose whole soul wa,
absorbed in preserves, pickles and crochet
work In her loneliness she had taken me
into her great, noble heart, aud when left
her ] knew ! should leave her desoate.
So shruuk back from the avowal that
was such an ccotacy Of delight, such bitter
self-reproach ! thought | had conquered
all traces Of emotion in my face as ! went
from the garden where we had walked-my
lover and myscf-to MaJorie's sitting
room But she looked into my face, with
her soft beautiful eyes Swallowed by troub-
led inquiry.
"llaye you quarreled with Stephen? ?" she
asked.
"No-l have not quarrcled-we-that is
i do not think he will come again"
For the first time she frowned sternly.
SIS possible that you are that base triaer,
a coquette," she said, in voice full of in
dignation, "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 so mis-
judge me sobbed out the truth that loved
stephen, but that it seemed to me a base in
gratitude to desert her
"Child child " she said softly, gather
ing me in her arms "Ileaven forbid your
life should be sacrificed to me Did you
ever hear among our friends of my love
story?"
"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 was your age" she said, greatly
stroking my hand as she spoke, "I was
as light hearted as bird, My orphanhood
was an event so long past that have no re-
collection of my parents but my uncle was
father and dear companion to me. lie was
a wealthy man, and gave me every advan,
tage that wealth can bestow. Aud when
Arnold Halcombe"--
] started at that name, but Marjorie did
not notice, continuing her story; "wooed
me for his wife, Uncle Charles made no OBJ
lection, though my lover was poor man,