Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-07-08
CHAPTER ri.
THE HASTY MARkIAGE.


The only guests present were Mr..
Horace Remington. the father of the
bride, Mrs. Remington, her mother,
and two near friends Of the BRIDE
groom.
Richard Martin refused to accept the
extended invitation. and did not go
near his niece.
The privacy of the wedding was
owing to two reas0ns-one, 1t was so
urged by the bridegroom-second
the bride was anxious that the union
should be kept from the knowledge of
her late co-laborerS. Toward
dusk, one afternoon, therefore, Nellie
Remington, in company with her
mother, made her way to the church.
She was plainly dressed, and there
was nothing about her appearance to
attract unusual attention.
At the church the two were met by
Mr.. Mason and his friends, and Mr..
Remington, who had arrived some ten
minutes before.
By the last struggling rays Of day:
light the service was read which bound
two hearts in bond we'll calculated to
set wise-acreS agOg.
Richard Martin saw plainly that she
was bent on carrying out her promise,
1uU uc ulu uOG M6hC dHOtACI dttSiiPS
to stop her.
He had his reasons, he said to him
self, for wishing that she would take
time for reflection, but he would not
speak them.
Richard Martin knew more of the
bridegroom than the bride. lie knew
both members of the firm Of Mason L.
Son, and had known them for some
time.
Mr.. Mason, senior, could not very
we'll have attended the wedding, if he
he had been invited-which he was
not-as he was in England, and would
be gone for two months.
II cannot think of waiting for fa-
ther,,". the happy bridegroom said to
cit is just as we'll, Henry" she said,
quietly. "There will be one the less
to annoy u.s."
Henry Mason was totally oblivious
of his brides careless replies and her
plainly apparent unconcern.
To the least observant. Nellie REM
ington would have seemed in a strange
had been going to funeral she could
not have been more sedate.
But Mr.. Mason, bent on his own
happiness, failed to notice anything
but nervous calm in her conduct, as
she was affable and gentle in her con-
versation, and free from the naughty
demeanor with which she at first
treated him.
Immediately after the marriage, the
wedding party got into waiting
carriage and were driven to the depot,
where they took the train for the city,
and from thence drove to the tempo
rary residence Of the couple.
Owing to his business arrangements,
Mr.. Mason could not, he SAID make
the wedding tour he should like to land
consequently would take his bride to
several of the principal cities, stop
ping short time in each place.
Boston was the first city chosen.
Upon their arrival in the Hub, the
party were met by some YOU friends
Of the bridegroom, who escorted them
to magniticently furnished dwelling
on Telegraph street.
Everything that taste could select to
make the house beaut full was here dis
played; in all its appointments it was
Incompatible.
''Is this to be my home?" Nellie Ma
son asked, standing . moment in the
doorway and gazing enwrapt upon the
scene.
"This is to be the home of my BRIDE"
replied her husband. els it what you
would have it2"
~ expected nothing like this, Hem
ry," said Nellie, and she flushed as she
spoke, IS if some inward thought were
revived by his question.
All! what grace and beauty, the fair
creature thought, as she gaZed upon
the beautiful surroundings.
The color in her cheeks glowed, and
her black orbs flashed in the light of
the chandelier.
Plain IS was her dress, it could not
dstract from her form and feature.
To the man at her side, the elegance
Of his new home was as nothing beside
the woman he loved. He saw nothing
but her face. At the supper rendered
to the newly-married couple, Mrs. Ma
son seemed as light-heartcd as any.
She laughed and chatted with all. and
her wit and repartee won the guests at
once.
Mr.. and Mrs. Remington entered into
the spirit Of the occasion, and joined
fully in the merriment. Both were ev-
identity anxious to keep out of sight
the grim skeleton which stalked iii
their closet.
The morning following the wedding,
Mrs. Mason rose comparatively early,
and after her waiting maid had at
tended to her wants, she dismissed her.
unless ring for you,' she said to the
The maid dismissed, the bride drew
aside the lace curtains before the west
window and looked out.
The skv -sc Lac Jo,, orJ tb.~.x.z:u
"Cold and dreary,' she murmured
".Cold and dreary, like the world-like
the world"
She drew large arm chair beside the
window and sat down, burying one
velvet cheek in the back of the Iuxu.
fious cushions.
band found her.
he did not speak when he entered
the room, but went quietly up to where
she sat and, as she did not move. re
NAMED standing beside her, and gazed
upon the lovely face. Presentlya sigh
escaped her, and with it q tear fell
upon eSs Sns plush By Of the chair.
She started and looked around.
hear A W. Henry .a.:y1' you here? l did not
Henry Mason fell on his knees be.
SIDE her and he seized her hand and
kissed it passionately.
MY darling !" he exclaimed. "you
are regretting already your hasty steE
Nellie shook her head and smiled.
NO, no, you are mistaken. l re-
greet nothing-nothing.'
ar. Are you sure?"
"Then why do you weep"
1t IS : w0man's freak. This ia 4
strange situation for = factory girl. .
sir. Mason rose suddenly to his feet
That will do" he said, Quickly,
II wish to hear nothing Of the factory.
nor Of anything connected with t.
Fray answer me, what troubles vou?'i
The bride burst into = merry laugh,
"How foolish you are, He.ry. Dc
you wish to have me confess SOME inn.
syinary trouble? There is one little
natter, however, on my mind, which
!! wish you to settle, if you Will. and
tnst is-the purchase of that piece OF
property recommended. 1t is ia,