The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1880-02-07
Selected Story,
TWO CHRLSTMASETES.

was q most brilliant wedding, anc
attended by all Mrs. John March
mont's circle of friends. The brid'
was daintily lovely in her ricl
white.lacs dress, her pearl, ant
orangc.blossoms, that suited vel
her tiny figure and pure BLOND
face. The bridegroom, a pale
handsome man many years Older
than the bride, was grave, glancins
often anxiously towards the stately
hostess, rs if.he feared some inter
ruption Of the festivities.
But there was Zone. The splen'
did supper was discussed, the light
feet moved to tho music Of a hand
the congratulations were heartily
uttered, and no one suspected that
the hostess had a care, when Hos
mcr Allen and his fair bride finally
departed to take n midnight train
for New York, to connect with the
next days European steamer.
Every guest had departed except
two, when Mrs. Marchmont, pale
and weary, turned from the last
farewells to rc.entsr the still brill
iantly lighted parlors. The two
who waited still were her lawyer,
and her dead husbands cousin,
Ronald Marchmont. The latter
gentleman she greeted at once with
stately courtesy.
II thank you for granting my re-
qucst,n she said. "Yon have given
mo one pain less in leaving the
only home | have known for thirty
years. Mr.. Allen, who knows all,
has promised to keep all painful
revelations from Edna until she re-
turns homc."
The old lawyer, looking kssnly ut
tho quietly dignified woman who
thus spoke, said respectfully:
"Nirs. Marchmont, my sister
wishes me to invite you to be our
guest for as long as you may find
our ouies home a pleasant one.
The same feeble health that pre-
vented her presence here tonight,
prevents her from giving the invita-.
ton in person; but hope you will
accept her hospitality"
"You arc very kind, but so to
Barton Tomorrow. | have secured
the position of assistant teacher
there. in the Barton Seminary, and
my duties commence after New
Years Day. But have promised
to 90 to the seminary tomorrow v
Then Mr.. Marchmont spoke in q
grave voice:
81 hope you will take with you,
Mrs. Marchmont, not only all your
personal possessions, but any artl-
c!es in the house to which you at
tach any especial value. either from
association or other cause"
"You are very kind" she an
swered and after a few words more
the gentleman took their leave.
Already the servants had closed in
tho handsome house and retired,
and alone Mrs. Marchmont went
from room to room, taking leave OF
her old life.
Thirty years ago her husband
had inherited the house from his
deceased uncle, and had brought
his bride there. The large income
inherited at the same time he had
| left at his death to his widow. For
thirty years all this fair home. this
large income, had been under Mrs,
Marchmont's absolute control:
Having a generous heart, she had
saved nothing, mover dreaming the
| income could fail her.
She had adopted Edna Grey, the
child of M old schoolmatc; had
given her cvory advantage her own
child could have claimed, with the
warmsst love. She had been very
happy when Edna gave her whole
heart to a man rs noble and true as
she knew Hosmer Allen to be, and
had provided bountifully for Il
grand wedding. The trousssan wa:
! all a generous, wealthy aunt could
provide, and it was understood that
Edna would inhorit the Marchmont
estate.
But Just three days before the
Christmas Eve set for the wedding
day, Ronald Marchmont camo tc
IL with u nswly-found will o
the uncle who had enriched hlt
cousin. Ronald Marchmont had
deeply offended this relative before
his death, and expected nothing
better than to be disinherited. Blu
, after being securely hidden fo1
thirty ycars, q later will than th'
one disinheriting him had beei
found, giving him all the estate. ,
He came to L., told his It'd
ings to Mr.. Allison, Mrs. March
. mont's lawyer, and proved hi
identity and claim to the property
} And Mrs. Marchmont, hiding he
own pain, only pleaded for littl
, delay, until Edna should be ia
away from the knowledge Of tn