The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-12-09
The Wrong Bride.

Mrs. Smythe had been busy all day
Strengthening pictures, busting tiny
alabaster statuettes, arranging little
bouquets of tea-rose buds and gerrnium
leaves, in slender stemmed crystal vases,
on velvet draped brackets, and looping
the pure muslin curtains back with fresh
blue ribbons.
For Mrs. Smythe expected an honored
guest to dinner that day-a great guest
whom she had never yet beheld-her
daughter-in-law.
$50 Paul is really married at last, "
said Mrs. Gossipwell, who had come
in to borrow the last number of q
fashion magazine, and had made her
prying way into little drawing room,
which had been refurnished in blue and
silver
Eyes, Paul is married." said Mrs.
Smythe. with dignity.
ut must be dreadful shock to YOU"
groaned Mrs. Gossipwell, slyly Watching
the mOther-in-law ELECT out of her little
green-gray eyes.
"On the contrary" said Mrs. Smythe,
markedly, Il am quite delighted at the
idea of welcoming q new daughter"
"Humphr' said Mrs. Gossipwell;
"rather sudden, wasn't it?'
mot at all. said Mrs. Smythe.
| "You wasn't at the wedding?"
| because L never can go anywhere, at
this season of the year, on account Of my
horrid haycold," said Mrs. Smythe, with
spirit.
81 hope she'll be a comfort to you,"
observed Mrs. Gossipwell, in tone
which plainly indicated, but l don't
believe anything of the sort"
81 have not the least doubt of it"
said Mrs. Smythe. Indeed, 1 can
scarcely wait for the evening train to
cone in"
Mrs. Gossipwell shifted, and went
away, annoyed that she could not goad
Mrs. Smythe into adopting the regular
motherin-law spirit of spite and ami
mostly.
"She needn't try to make me believe
in all that sugared sweetness" said she.
cts every shipper of it put on!
But good Mrs Gossippwell was mis-
taken for once. Mrs. Paul Smythe,
senior, was really and truly delighted
that her son had at last taken to himself
wife, and was expecting the appear
ance of her new daughterin-law with an
almost nervous thrill OF happy enthu-
siasm and blissful anticipation.
IL Idul 10 Sdlc lutI lieu Az HOAlc, olc
said to herself, she will give up that
wild idea of travelling in Egypt and
hunting up the sources of the Nile,
which has always kept me in sort Of
terror. There is nothing like q sweet
wife and happy home to dispel all these
mad illusions"
And, full half an hour before there
was any earthly necessity for it, Mrs
Smythe called Michael, the hired man,
to harness up the little gray pony ard |
drive down to the depot to meet the
newly married couple
"There's plenty of time, mum" said |
Michael
But wouldn't have you too late for
the world" said Mrs. Smythe, earnestly
SO Michael had the pleasure of waiting
at the station what seemed to him an in
fnity of time before the train came in.
There was only one passenger who
alighted-a stout young woman in
green plaid dress, rather short in the
skirts, and we'll covered by huge red
and black blanket shawl; a felt hat, with
a scarlet plume; green veil, and pair
of cotton gloves.
She stood still on the platform, staring
at Michael. Michael, at the popy's
head, stood and stared at her.
She's queer looking bride, said the
honest Irishman to himself. But here
she is, and l II have to hail her."
''He was just stepping forward, with
his hand to the brim of his hat, when the
lady herself took the initiative.
I'm Mrs. Paul Smith" said she.
'Smythe, maam," said Michael, who
was accustomed to pronounce it with a
long ST."
1--WE call it Smith, said the lady,
did any of his folks come
down here to meet me?"
Madam sent the carriage for you,"
said Michael. please step in. l beg
your pardon, but we expected Mr.. Paul, ;
too?"
''He amt a-comin' till tomorrow"
said the bride, leaning comfortably back
among the cushions. "Drive on, you,
IN most froze!"
''Shall l take the checks, ma'am?' ,,
said Michael, growing more and more ..
confused in his mind.
''For the baggage, ma'am," explained :
Michael. ,,
There amt no baggage said the ,
bride. .
Mrs. Smythe Madam Smythe, as she |
liked to call herself now-was in the lit {
lie blue and silver drawing room, stand I
ng beside the bright anthracite fire, /,
when the door opened, and the stout !
young woman walked in, with iron-fer (