Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-06-23
He will never do thst.

Stephen was silent long tlme,auo snou
he said, q little sadly
You are good girl to be 80 honest
witt me. If your uncle could be made 20
We up your little fortune. do you think
that you could use 1t wisely"
Il could with Norman to help me.
Then we had long conversation, Which
it is not necessary for me to repeat; IL Will
be understood by what follows. There was
no change apparent between STEPHEN and
/. He behaved exactly as a lover OF hls
age and character would be likely to be-
have. He sent aunt presents from his no I
house and be made me presents of pretty
jewelry. He spent the evenings at Uncie
Miles house, ard sometimes we were left
alone. and sometimes we went Ont for
walk. Norman came to see us OCCASION
ally on Sunday night, AID my aunt said
that he lad behaved with more real good
sense than he expected. think she
thought that If married the banker 1t
might not be a bad thing for my COUSIN,
Maivina. who was very plain, TO marry
he bankers cashier.
Everything went on with the greatest
prcpriety. had announced my intention
to have an extraordinary trousseau, and
this being point on which aunt could
feel with me, the next four months were
pleasantly spent in shopping and sewing.
Never in our little towu had there been
seen such dozens of elegantly trimmed un-
dergarments, such ling erie, such hosiery,
such mornlng dresses AID evening cos
tunes. such wonderful boots and slippers,
and jewelry. We had little receptions
every afternoon month before the wed
ding, and my wardrobe was laid ont in the
best bedroom for comment and inspec-
ton.
1t was about this time that Stephen Ba-
ker said to uncle: II understand Frances
has $25 600. l wish her to have it so set
tied on herself. aud for her own absolute
use. so that propose, Mr.. Miles, if you are
willing, to add $1O,O 900 to it, and buy for
her the Stamford estate, 1t is only three
miles from here, the house is very fine
one, the land excellent, and then, W hatev-
er come, it secures her a competency, for
as soon as the railway is finished it will be
worth double. What do you say?"
II think your offer extremely generous,
Mr.. Baker, and, of course. for such a
purpose, am willing to hand over to you
at once Frances fortune. The interest
has been devoted to her own use always.
Will you look at the accounts?"
Your word is sufficient Mr.. Miles,"
s., in about two weeks the transfer was
safely and amicably effected, and STAN
ford Hall and estate were firmly and sure
~ made over to Frances Halliday, spins
ter, for her and her heirs forever. [ must
state here that opposed as strongly as l
thought right Stephens gift of $4,000
and his subsequent outlay Of $1,000 on
furniture, but both uncle and aunt said
that the settlement was small enough for
\ man Of his means, and that it would be
affectation to oppose it And really
Stephen managed the whole affair with
such fatherly kindness and tho ughtfulness
that could not bear to oppose him.
At length the wedding day drew near.
1t had been arranged for Wednesday morn
ing, and we were to leave for New York
Immediately after he ceremony. Cousin
Jose who had prepared himself to look
down OH all the world from the pulpit,
was to perform the ceremony. This
show. d in Jose very Christian spirit,
seeing that he had once looked Oh me and
my S25, 900 with affection, and had not
appre ciated the honor However he for
gave me at this epoch and came beniguly
to bless my venture. He brought me as a
present black onyx seal ring, on
which was set a cross in seed pearls. He
had offered me it once before, with his
affections and his manse, and had then
refused it. l took it this time.
1t helped to swell the list of my presents
and they certainly made goodly show
First there was the Stamford estate from
my father and Stephen Baker. and the
settled bills for 81 900 worth of new fur
uiture which Stephen had sent to make
the old rooms retty and comfortable
Uncle gave me 4 set of silver. and some
fine china, both of which gifts took care
to send to Stamford before my wedding
day. My cousins and aunts and friends
gave me all sorts OF jewelry and pretty
personal knicknacks. and these careful
ly packed in the half doz,u trunks which
we're already corded and directed two days
before the marriage only.
For Stephen had proposed to send all my
trunks to our New York hotel two days
before so we might have no concern about
them, and that might be sure to have all
I wanted on my arrival. l opposed this
plan at first, but aunt said it was eminent
ly proper and thoughtful. So all my
wardrobe except my wedding dress and a
travelling suit arrived at the Fifth Ave
nue. Hotel, New York, on the last day of
my maiden life.
Norman Strong called that night, and
was in remarkable high spirits. He wish :
ed me every happiness, and was very at
tentive to Malvina. Aunt thought his be-
havior charming-so unselish-and l was
also very we'll satisfied with it.
81 shall call you about eight O'Clock,
Frances" said my aunt. as l babe her
good night; "the hair-dresser comes at half
past eight.
SAID. Every well, aunt,'' and went to
my room. The first thing / did was to
pack my wedding dress in az small COM
pass as possible, and put on my travelling
costume. This done, sat down in the
dark. About one O'Clock heard the sig
nal watched for. I went softly down
stairs, unlocked tho back door, and walked
out. Norman was there. We did not
speak until we were outside the grounds.
There buggy waited. and we drove rap
idly to main line about three miles off,
Here we caught the two O'Clock express.
and we're safe IN New York and very re-