The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-28

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CHAPTER XXI.
Mr. Ovington was at last able to get about.
The physicians services were dispensed
with, and matters began 10 assume the regu-
lar routine at the Madison Avenue mansion.
The General heard nothing more of the
enemies of his betrothed after the event in
the church, which began to appear to him
like dream. At first he had thought to
tell Maud of the occurrence, at some conve-
nient season, but finally he decided not to
do so. Her troubles were heavy enough.
The wedding day drew near As it sp-
preached Miss Ovington felt more and more
detected, and passed many sleepless nights,
huddled close to the fire.
The dawn of the wedding day saw her in
her now accustomed place. The light of
day was welcome to her eyes, for it ended
the misery of the tedious night, and yet it
would have been difficult to believe that the
lovely creature who took her place before
the mirror, her eyes brilliant with the light
of triumph, and her cheeks tinted with the
fresh and delicate hues of newly gathered
blush-rose, had passed long night in the
agonizing torments of a guilty conscience.
While her lady's maid was occupied in ar
ranging her mistress glittering plaits Of
golden hair, Miss Maud Ovington sat with
her eyes fixed on q tiny ieweled watch,
which hung on an ormolu stand on her
dressing table.
Mine O'clock" she murmured-"only
nine! Two hours yet before the time ap-
pointed for the marriage ceremony. How
Slowly the hands novel What may not
happen in two hoursT
Julie Maintenon, the maid was watching
her mistress face in the glass, but she could
see nothing in its expression except the ex.
citement natural to the occasion.
"How slow you are, Juliel' exclaimed
Miss Maud impatientlv. "You were never
10 long about my hair beforeF
..But you will pardon my slowness on
snch an occasion as this mademoiselle, an
swered the French woman. Il wish made
moiselle to look her best"
A radiant smile of mingled pride and
triumph illunined the face of Miss Owing
ton as the maid pronounced these words.
Il am to be the wife Of General CRANKY
Dumont!" she said--'a man whose wealth
will always keep me above want, and who
will never stint me- In two hours, | shall
be the wife of the cultured and renowned
CRANKY Dumont."
Julie Maintenon eoiled the superb plaits
of hair in a knot at the back of Miss Maud's
head. This knot was supported by comb
of pearls, one of the gifts of the General
The alabaster forehead of the bride-elect
was encircled by wreath of orange-blos-
SONS, the buds of which were also of large
pearls, while the flowers were sprinkled with
diamonds which represented dew drops.
The bridal dress was of white moire-antique,
completely covered by an over-skirt of the
most valuable point lace. This dress had
cost small fortune, and had made heavy
drain on Mr. Ovington's bank account
The toilette was completed as the clock
struck ten.
"Now, mademoiselle" said the maid,
''you will take some breakfast, hope, as it
would not do for you to faint away during
the ceremony"
''Yes, Julie" answered Miss Ovington, 81
shall breakfast with papa this morning, as
it is the last which shall spend alone with
him."
She descended to her fathers room, in
which she found her parent seated. Mr..
Ovlngton was quite able-bodied now, and
free from the excruciating pains which had
conrsed through his head for SO many
weeks.
81 am quite spry on this important ocea-
sion, my dear Maud" said the doating father,
Is his daughter entered the room in her
bridal dress ''and I shall be able to give my
child away to the man of her choice, and Of
mine, too, for more noble fellow than
CRANKY Dumont never existed. Ny dearest
girl, how lovely you look this morning"
Miss Maud bent over her fathers chair
and embraced him tenderly.
"What shall / do without you, Maud?'
said the old man, taking both his daughters
hands in his own, and gazing, with proud af-
fecton, at her beautiful face. "What shall
do when lose you, dearest? I think that
when we are separated, I shall have only
one comfort left"
"And what will that be, dearest father"
Your picture, my darling-ths portrait
that was painted by that promising young
artist, who gave you lessons in painting.
Let me see-Suydam, think, he was called
Why, how you shver, Maud" exclaimed
Mr.. Ovington, suddenly.
"The morning is cold, papst ansTered
Maud, carelesslv, land wedding dress is
not the warmes costume in the world for 0
December day.
At this moment loud knocking and ring
ing sounded at the hall door.
Maud hurried to the window.
at is the Generals carriageT she ex
claimed "What can have brought hin
W &rl lnv 81 oh,
The color faded from her cheeks, leaving
her deadly pale. She remained near the
window, as if transfxed to the spot upor
which she stood.
at is his stepy' she muttered, as foot
fall sounded upon the stairs.
General Dumont entered the room. Il.
was paler than his intended bride; his lip
were set with the rigidity of determination
and terrible light shone in his eyes.
"Ovington, he said, II know that yo,
will pardon this intrusion. l come to asl
for change in the arrangements.
"A change"
"Yes the marriage was arranged to b.
solemnized at eleven o'clock"
at was"
"Suffer me to anticipate the hour. II
now few minutes past ten Tase MAUI
with YOU in my carriage-drive without
moments delay to the church; l will foile'
you in hanson, and the wedding can tax
place at half past ten
..But why should we make this change?
asked Mr.. Ovington. "All was settled TO
eleven o'clock. The carriages were to be
the church at that hour, and our friend
assembled to witness the ceremony.
awe need no friends to assist at ou
union" answered the General, hastii,
"There is not q moment to be lost! l te
YOU, nv dear sir, have most powerf'