St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-05-06

'.
''But you'll let me thank you for all
your kindness and"
mo. | won't" said Uncle Nahum, so
shortly that poor Faith fled up stairs
i'll diSmay, and had IA quiet little cry,
Notwithstanding she was so very
very happy.
For Uncle Nahum Nixon, brusque
and Grabbed though he was, was all
the father she.had ever known.
But she packed her trunk, and went
to Violet Smiths in New York, which
was all the plcaSanter in that Marina
duke Bourne had also bctakcn himself
to this modern Gotham, and had gone
to work studying law as if he meant
to take Coke and Blackstone by
storm.
And Miss Violet Smith, who was
sentimentally-mind young lady,
sympathized intensely, and the young
couple were as unreasonably happy as
many another couple had been before
and will he again.
But one day Duke Bourne came in
with face full of tidings.
Faith" said he "have you heard
the news ~
"What news ~ said little Faith
"Your uncle will get the start of us,
after ALL"
"What do you mean, Duke ?"
"Why, he's going to he married"
"Uncle Nahum ~ cried Faith incred-
ulOusly.
..Yes, Uncle Nahum. And that ac-
counts for his being so willing and
anxious to get rid of us-eh, little
one ?"
"And who is the bride ?" questioned
Faith.
"Why, that's the mooted point, as
yet. Nobody seems to know. Some
say one, some say another, but the
general impression seems to he that it
is that rich widow who owns the brown
stone block on the corner"
"I'm sure hope he will he happy"
said Faith, with trcmulous lips and
eyes sutfused with tears. "But-I
think he might have said something to
lis about it ~
"People are not generally in hurry
to proclaim the fact that they are about
to make fools of themselves" said
Duke Bourne bitterly.
"Why," cried Faith, laughing
through her tears, ''that is precisely
what ne S:lu about us
But the next day letter from Uncle
Nahum Nixon himself settled the mat
ter. He wrote:
"Thcre's to be wedding at my house
on the 18th, and | want you and Duke
to he there without fail"
"A wedding At his house :" cried
Faith. 81 supposed weddings were al
ways celebrated at the brides resi-
dencew
$50 they are dear" said Miss Smith :;
''but your uncle was always so eccen-
tric."
"What shall we do ?' said Faith.
"Why, go. of COURSE" said Marina
duke Bourne. "To show that we bear
no malice at being disinhcritcd, if for
no other reason" The 18th of March
arrived, IA cold, clustering, windy night,
and the old red brick house was i'll II
glimmer of light as the young bctroth
ed couple drew up to the door.
Uncle Nahum met them on the
threshold in his old-fashioncd swallow
tailed coat, with huge white camelia
bud in his button-hole, and Il pair of
surprisingly white kid gloves.
''IIave you brought your white
frock ~ was the first question to his
niece.
"NO, uncle, I"
"That won't do" said Uncle Nahum
"Nobody comes tony wedding without
il marriage garment. It's lucky | pro-
vidcd one for you. Come up stairs,
quick, and put it on, for the parsOn is
waiting and the company are here"
But, uncle, the bride p
Ii. II I,,-. I,,-f ii
Uncle Nahum despotically. ''Comc up
| stairs now, and change your dress
"But, mclc-a white silk - cried
Faith, looking in dismay mt the glisten-
ing dress laid ont for her use.
"What then Isn't white silk the
thing for Il wedding! Put it on quick,
and I'll send some one to bring you
down in five minutes"
And 50, with doubtful heart, Faith
Nixon robcd herself in the white silk
dress, with its trimmings of vapory
blonde and its long trail.
'.Wherc's your veil ?" said Uuclc Ma
hum, when he came himself, few
minutes later, to the door.
"Unclc, | can't wear veil - plead
ed Faith.
"'But You mustr' said Uncle Nahum.
"NObody comes to my wedding with
out Il veil -
And he placed the wreath lightly on
her head.
"But, Uncle Nahum, they'll take me
for the bride
"Lct 'em," said the old gentleman
Take my arm. Now come down stairs
and I'll show you the bride. Here she
is
And lifting her bewildered eyes
| Faith Nixon bchcld her own figure re-
tlcctcd in Il full length mirror on the
stairway.
..Hcrc's the bride" chuckled Uncle
Nahum, leading her up to Duke Bourne
"And here's the groom touching
BOurnc'S shoulder. 'And here's the
parson, all ready and waiting. Now
Reverend Sir to the clergyman, omar
ry 'cm as fast as ever you can
And, before either of the astonished
young couple could demonstrate, they
were made man and wife.
Duke" cried the bride, as soon as
the ceremony was over, ''did you know
of this p
"No, didn't" said Mr.. Bourne, with
his arm very tight around his little
wifc's waist "But | must say | ap-
prove very highly of the whole pro
ceeding.n
Uncle Nahum stood by, rubbing hi,
hands, with his whole face wreathed in
one prodigious smile.
$50 you supposed it was | who was
to he married, eh - said he. ''NOt z
bit of it-nOt bit of it. I'm too old a
bird to be caught with such chaff a
that. No, no, little Faith ! Did you
; think ! was going tO turn my wee birdie