Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-10-26
"Miss Nelliel Miss Nellie r, said

N11s5 ~ Ncll10 MISS N6lu6 bdlQ
the warning voice Of the old house
keeper, "what are you doing, my
dear? Trying to catch your death Of
cold? and tomorrow your wedding
day r She drew me away and closed
the window. eve got nice cup Of
tea for you; come and sit down, lovey,
and drink it. I don't wonder you feel
anxious like, for it's awful weather"
Then the good old soul sat down by
the fire, and told me various stories,
which she assured me were authentic,
of similar snow-storms under similar
circumstances, and how when her own
mother. was married the wedding
party had to walk to church over the
tops Of the hedges on frozen snow.
Then my aunt came in she was
naturally stern, managing woman,
and we had never been very good
friends but she spoke kindly to me
then, and told me not to be anxious if
the train was delayed a little. My
uncle soon followed her, and gave me
kiss, saying, "Cheer up, Nellie
they'll be here sooner or LATER"
All; what hypocrite I wasl None
of them knew my dread Of the coming
morrow how had prayed like a
criminal for reprieve. And yet, to
do myself justice, l did honor Mr..
Denton; meant to obey, and hoped in
time to love him. But the hours
passed on, and even I began to grow
anxious for his safety.
Ten o'clock came, and the groom
had not returned from the station. Old
Wilkie, the gardener, who had man
aged to struggle in from the cottage,
about a hundred yards distance, gave
it as his opinion that they would not
come that night.
Lor' bless you, sir," he said, "James
knows what he's about, and he'd never
risk crossing the hills such weather as
this; it's as much as their lives are
worth"
My uncle kissed me again. "Never
mind, Nellie; they won't hurt in the
station for one night, with a big fire,
and wen have them over the first
thing in the morning = and so at last
we retired for the night.
To bed, but not to sleep. A new
hope had sprung up which 1 hardly
dared acknowledge to myself. If the
storm would only continue until after
IL o'clock the next day, so as to make
the wedding impossible, who could tell
what might happen next? I might
be taken i'll; had I not pains in all my
limbs, and was not my head burning
already?
I rose several times during the night
and looked out. Still showing heavily,
as far as I could see. In the morning
there was no change, and a very
gloomy and depressed party met at the
breakfast-table. a few unsuccessful
attempts were made to be cheerful
during the meal, but when it was over
all was silence, except an occasional
whisper from one of the anxious faces
at the windows, try ing vainly to peer
through the thick white veil.
That it was useless to dress all had
agreed, and wrapped in large shawl /
lay on the sofa by the fire, with my
eyes fixed on the clock. Ten o'clock
eleven. At the half hour my heart al
most stopped beating. Twelve o'clock
at last and SO the reprieve had come
But hardly had the final stroke sound
ed when maid servant burst into the
room.
"Come quick, sir; there is messen-
ger r
My aunt and uncle followed her
quickly. Irose also, but staggered and
sank back on the sofa.
"Sit still, Nellie" said my bride
maid, Mary Lee; "I'll come and tell
you all about it," and she ran after
them, followed by the other guests.
They seemed a long time away, and
at last I got up, and like one in
dream groped my way to the kitchen.
1t was large, gloomy place at any
time, and that morning there was no
light from without, the panes were so
blocked up with snow; only the FIRE
lighted up the group before me. The
messenger-a tall, strong man, but
evidently much exhausted sat by the
hearth, the melting snow forming a
pool around him. My aunt, seated at
the table, looked as If she were faint
ing, while my uncle questioned the
man in subdued voice. Every face
looked pale and Mortified.
"What is the matter ~ I asked, and
my voice sounded to me as if it were
long way off.
There has been an accident with
the dog-cart, Nellie,' said Mary Lee,
putting her arm around me.
Is any one hurt ?.
A pause. "Mr. Denton is hurt, my
dear" said my uncle.
3Much?' I whispered, for my voice
seemed to have gone from me.
/ looked from one to the other as no
answer came, and then my uncle tried