Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-11-24
A MASKED WEDDING.

MASKED WEDDING.
Oriella and Lance Lowering have
been married five years the first of TIM
April, and they're not yet decided
which of them was fooled upon thai
important occasion. One of them mus
have been, that is certain, since theil
very marriage was but an April-fool
day Joke. Oriella declares that it was
Lance who was fooled, because he haC
always been averse to blondes and des
pissed firts, and had frequently asserted
that if she was the only woman in the
world be would not marry her. All Of
which Mr. lowering now unblushingly
explains by saying he WAS only averse
to blondes, before he saw Oriella, that
his adherence was q general rule
never applied to individual cases, and
that if Oriella had been the only WON
an in the world he never would have
had the chance to marry her. AT this
his wife laughs with soft mockery. And
then Lance goes on to say that Orielis
WAS the fool, for she had never admired
him; she had repeatedly declared her
intention to marry no man who could
not count his wealth ny hundreds Of
thousands and she was already
But | am telling their story too rap,
idly. Here it is in detail
Lance Levering-proud, ambitious,
handsome, with all those transcenden-
tai views of marriage SO common to
men who have been too much admired
and INDUCED by women, too easily sue
cessful with them-and Oriella Glad
myr--a radiant blonde, and n reputed
accomplished flirt-met one summer
Mt May Croft. The owner of May Croft,
Ned Sanborn, was II distant cousin to
them both, and Ned and Lance were
fast friends; 80 were Oriella and Ned 3
wife, Maud. OF course the two had
heard of each other, and always in
glowing terms, until Lance had come
to dismiss the subject with contempt,
saying that he deteSted blonde women
and despised flirts, and had no desire
to ever know or see the beautiful Miss
Gladmyr; and Oriella had openly de-
Clared that Lance-judging from the
elegant cabinet photograph of him
standing in It's rich plush frame upon
lAti SvuoIl ~ dltoslLE batblC-WhS IlIi-
eous, and that she knew he was cold,
conceited, and in every way thorough
ly detestable. And it seemed as if Ned
and Maud, who were determined that
their favorites should know and like
each other, never would be successful
IN bringing the two together. After
many months of maneuvering how
ever, it all happened unexpectedly at
last.
Lance went to Newport to spend two
weeks ut May Croft, assured by the
fashion reports that Miss Gladmyr was
safe in Saratoga. And that same day,
~ they sat at lunch, just Ned and
Maud and their guest, for once alone,
Oriella Gladmyr walked in upon them
with her gay laugh and her beauty just
as dazzling rs if she were not robed in
the severest of travelling dresses, and
had not been dancing until day-dawn
through all the preceding six weeks.
In his heart Lance had to admit the
beauty, however much he dislik ed the
type; but her style offended him in
every particular Immediately. She was
coquette, audacious, independent,
self-possessed, impassionate, thorough
ly worldly, he told himself; and he saw
no reason to change his opinions as he
knew her better.
80 that is Mr.. Lance Leveringp ex-
claimed Oriella, with the faintest mock
ing curl of her luscious lips, when
lunch WAS over and Maud had accom-
panied her to the choicest room upon
the Seaside" of Nav Craft.
Yes; and do own up, Oriel, that he
is tine-looking,"
II cannot, dear. | detest men with
dark brown eyes and just little curl to
the hair. They are always insutfurably
couceited. How stupid that he should
be here just when | had anticipated
having such delicious little visit?"
We'll, he is here, and you'll have TO
make the best of it," said Maude, in
her heart secretely glad that it had all
happened. 1--WE cannot send him
away"
"Oh, of course not; but perhaps he
will have the good grace to cut his stay
short, seeing that we abhor each other,
and 1t would be much pleasanter for
me to have him away"
Bat how do you know that he abhors
your
81 saw it in his eyes" said oriells
calmly.
All of which being overheard by Mr..
lowering, who sat at his open window
just next an open one in Miss Gladmyr's
room, caused him 10 resolve to stay
his full two weeks. He did abhor her,
but he was piqued by her, too, aud not
the slightest intention of sacrificing his
pleasure III any way to hers.
Being n man of charming manners,
however, he did please Miss Gladmvr
in many ways; and rs to dancing to-
gether, they found it was bliss, so
thoroughly were their movements in
rhythmic harmony. They drifted
through the two weeks, preserving a
sort of armed neutrality toward each
other, and then the last day of his
appointed stay, Lance was brought
home with several broken bones and
the prospect of remaining at May
Croft for an indefinite period. He
had been thrown from his horse while
attempting to rescue some ladies from
carriage drawn by a runaway team.
IL was week after the accident that
Lance and 0riells came to an under
standing with each other that estab-
hshed friendship between them. He
found Miss Gladmyr delightful reader,
but, for reasons best known to himself.
he hated TO let her read to him half as
long or often "a would have been agree
able to him. Oriella saw this, and
frankly told hir. of il.
You are very silly not to make the
most of any general impulses l may
have" she exclaimed, lightly. II am
not often given to benevolent acts. As
for my falling in love with you-if that
is what you fear-why, set your mind
entirely at rest. You're not at all a
well-looking man, according to my
standard of masculine beauty, and
Maud tells me that you are not well off,
/ ~, IL