The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-08-17
Fatal Mistake
~ A4 NJ ~
BARRETT SYLVESTER,
AUTHOR on
NTETTERED, INT PRER /" f'CLoUDs AND EUEsHIJIH- o.
trEEEhLER EKRoR,~ "FAI&8 PKDMu~
- '.agEl0KN DUzEB, ETc-y xIus q & y 4
CHAPTER XXI.
ATARRTEO.

The General heard nothing more of the
enemies of bis 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 ap-
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 a newly-gathsTed
blush-rose, had passed a long night in the
agonizing torments of 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 tiny jeweled watch,
which hung on an ormOlu stand on her
dressing table.
Mine o'clock" she murmured-sonly
nine! Two hours yet before the time APP
pointed for the marriage ceremony. How
slowly the hands move! What may not
happen in two hours!'
Julie Maintenon, the maid, was watching
her mistress face in the glass but she could
see nothing in its expression except the ex-
element natural to the occasion.
.'How slow you are, Julier' exclaimed
Miss Maud, impatientlv. You were never
so long about my hair beforer'
But you will pardon my slowness on
such an occasion as this, mademoiselle, an
swered the French woman. 81 wish made
mOiselle to look her bert
A radiant smile of mingled pride and
triumph nIumined the face of Miss Owing
ton as the maid pronounced these words.
81 am to be tie wife of General Granny
Dumont" she saba 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 coiled the superb plaits
of hair in knot at the back of Miss MAud's
head. This knot was supported by a comb
of pearls, one of the gifts Of the General.
The alabaster forehead of the bride-elect
was eneireled by q wreath of orange-blos-
CONS, 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 Oyer-skiTt Of the
most valuable point Lace This dress had
cost q small fortune and had made a heavy
drain on Mr.. OvingtOn's bank account
The toilette was completed as the clock
struck ten.
'-Now, mademoiselle," said tue maid
''yOu will take some breakfast, hope as it
would not do for you To faint away during
the ceremony" i
Yes Julie, I" 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. MIR. !
OvingtOn was quite able-bodied now. and
free from the excruciating pains which had i
cOuTsed through his head for SO many
weeks.
81 am quite spry on this important occa-
sion, my dear Maud, said the boating father,
as his daughter entered the room in her
bridal dress, 'tand shall be able to give my
child away to the man of her choice, and of
mine, too, for q more noble fellow than
Cranky Dumont never existed. My dearest
girl, how lovely you look this morning.
Miss Maud bent over her fathers chair
md embraced him tenderly.
'fWhat shall do without you, MaudT'
said the old man, taking both his daughters
hands in his own,and gazing, with proud af- /
lection, at her beautiful face. ''Whatshan I
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"
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 shiver, MaudP' exclaimed
Mr.. Ovington, suddenly.
1.-THE. morning is cold, papaP' answered
not the warmest costume in the world for a
December day."
At this moment loud knocking and ring
ing sounded at the hall door.
Maud hurried to the window. ... ..j
cit is the Generals carriagef she ex-
claimed. What can have brought him
here2 We were TO have met at the church,"
The color faded from her cheeks, leaving
her deadly pale She remained near the
window, as if tranSfxed to the spot upon
which she stood. CEa
'1t is his stepE she muttered, as foot
fall sounded upon the stairs.
General Dumort entered the room. He
was paler than his intended bride; his lips
were set with the rigidity of determination,
and a terrible light shone in his eyes. /
"Ovington, ;" he said, 'I know that you
will pardon this intrusion. come to ask
for change in the arrangements"
"a change!"
eyes; the marriage was arranged 70 be
soIemnized at eleven o'clock"
aIt vas" -Z 81
''Suffer me to anticipate the hour. It is
with you in my carriage-drive without q
moments delay to the church; will follow
you Ia . hanson, and the wedding can take
place at half-past ten." .-.
'4AsSA Shv sboTlld We make this chGn0eT'
ASKED mr. Uv1ugton. ''Au was seCtled Tor
eleven o'clock. The carriages were to be at
the church at that hour, and our friends
assembled to witness the ceremony"
ave need no friends to assist at our
union" answered the General, hastily.
"There is not q moment to be lostl tell
you, my dear sir, ] have a most powerful
motive for making this request.
"And will not grant it until know that
motive" replied Mr.. OVingtOn, with deter
AS you will, sir I wished to spare
yourself and the woman love all unneees-
saTy pain; but, since you compel me to
speak, / will speak plainly. / told you,
some few weeks ago, that Maud has enemies
secret enemies-who are interruptions as
to the means which they employ to assail
her"
Maud Ovington laughed silvery laugh
as the General said this. AK ~
Surely, CRANKY" she said, carelessly,
''yoU have not been so foolish as to listen to
those horrible people againl cannot for
get how sou frightened me before by saying
thea most ridiculous and extraordinary
things"
The General looked scrutiniziDgly at his
promised bride. Innocence and candor
seemed TO beam like the light of morning
from her beautiful eyes. TcJ PRS "
"It q no matter for jesting. Maud" he
said, graveIy. whoever these enemies are,
and whatever motive they may have, they
are relentless, subtle and implacable. You
say that / should not have listened. Did
you know ALL you would wonder that am
here to-day TO lead you to the altar"
''What, then, did they dare to say2' ex-
claimed Mr.. Ovington, rising from his chair,
as if ready TO denounce and defy the hidden
enemies of his beloved daughter. ''What
did these wretehes dare TO say against my :
innocent child2"
'eThey say that which will not repeat"
answered CRANKY Dumont. 81 viii not ,
..II..l. IL 800 Aho rrnr,nnrn L. 49,.