The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-06-01
Vancouver Independent
OFFICIAL PAPER OF CRY AND COUNTY.
Vancouver. Clarke County, Washington
Territory.
FRANCIS HALLlDAY'S WEDDING.

DARKER alt6t uo utVer COulu uuu OUT,
but that is between themselves, and is
none of my business. A man good
enough for Elizabeth and Janet, and all
such ornaments to their sex, to lay his
honest heart at my foolish little feet! I
own that for day or two the honor al
most turned my head.
Then began to consider. had loved
Norman Strong ever since I could re-
member and Norman had been my friend
when no one else said q kind word to
me. The case stood thus: I was an
orphan, left to the care of an uncle and
aunt remarkable for that kind of pro-
priety that wins our admiration ,awakens
our hearty desire to get away from it.
I had small fortune of $25, 900; that is,
I was to have it, if remained un-
married until I was thirty-fve, or if
I married previously with my uncle's ap-
proval.
Now uncle did not approve of Norman.
In fact, uncle never approved of any
one that I liked. But with Stephen
Barker disapproval was out of the ques-
ton. Stephen was the great man and
good man of our town. To have insin-
uated that Stephen was not worthy of q
saint, beauty, and an heiress united,
would have been heresy seriously affect
ing my uncle's social and commercial
standing. Stephen Barkers offer was
therefore accepted and the next Sunday
we walked to church together.
After this public avowal of our inten-
tons, the marriage was considered in
evitable by every person but me. must
do myself the justice to state that I
never regarded my engagement to
Stephen seriously. 1t was part of a
plan to secure my happiness and rights.
And as Stephen fully conceded in it,
do not expect censure from any one
else.
think it was no later than the third
night after Stephen had spoken to my
uncle that frankly told him I thought
I ought not to marry him. He asked me
why; and said:
''All my life long, Stephen, l have
have been afraid to speak, or laugh or
sing, and no one but Norman Strong
ever said kind word to me until you
came"
And you love Norman" he asked,
bluntly.
So answered.: Eyes, I love him and
he loves me, and when he got the posi-
ton of cashier in your bank, he wanted
to marry me; but uncle said we were
neither of us to be trusted with my
$25, 900.
$50 you have S25 ,OOO?"
Papa left me that much; but Uncle
Miles can keep it until am thirty-fve,
unless I marry to please him, or unless
he is so satisfied of my good sense that
he voluntarily gives it up to me. He
will never do that"
Stephen was silent long time, and
then he said, little sadly: You are a
good girl to be so honest with me. If
your uncle could be made to give up
your little fortune, do you think you
could use it wisely?"
81 could-with Norman to help me-"
Then we had long conversation,
which it is not necessary for me to re-
peat; it will be understood by what fol-
lows. There was no change apparent be-
tween Stephen and 1. He behaved ex-
actly as lover Of his age and character
would be likely to behave. He sent
aunt presents from his dollhouse and he
made me presents of pretty jewelry. He
spent the evening at Uncle Miles house,
and sometimes we went out for q walk.
Norman came to see us occasionally on q
Sunday might, and my aunt said he had
really behaved with more good sense
than she expected. think she thought
that If / married the banker, it might
not be . bad thing for my cousin NAL
vina, who was very plain, to marry the
bankers cashier.
Everything went on with the greatest
propriety. / had announced nv inten-
ton to have an extraordinary trousseau
and this being . point on which aunt
could feel with me, the next four months
were pleasantly spent Pin shopping and
sewing. Never in our little town had
there been seen such dozens of elegantly
trimmed undergarments, such lingere,
such hosiery, such morning dresses and
evening costumes, such wonderful boots
and clippers and jewelry. We held little
receptions every afternoon q month be-
fore the wedding, and my wardrobe was
laid out in the best bedroom for CON-
ment and inspection.
It was about this time that Stephen
Barker said TO uncle: II understand
Frances has $25 900. / wish her to have
it 90 settled on herself, and for her own
absolute use, that propose. Mr.. Miles,
il you are willing, to add SIC, 900 to it,
and buy for her the Stamford estate. II
il only three miles from here, the house
is . very fine one, the land excellent, and
then, whatever changes come, it secures
her Q competency, for Is soon as the