Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-27

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 almost turned
my head
Then | began to consider / had loved Nor
man Strong ever since / could remember, and
Norman had been my friend when no one else
said kind word to me. The case stood thus:
was an orphan, left to the care of an uncle and
aunt remarkable for that kind of propriety that
wins our admiration, and awakens our hearty
desire to get away from it. l had a small
fortune of 5000; that is, was to have it, If
L remained unmarried until / was thirty-fve,
or if l married previously with my uncle's
approval.
Now uncle did not approve of Norman. In
fact, uncle never approved of any one that
liked. But with Stephen Barker disapprOval
was out of the question. Stephen was the great
man and the good man of our small town. To
have insinuated that Stephen was not worthy Of
saint. beauty, and an heiress united. would
have been heresy seriously affecting 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 intentions, the
marriage was considered inevitable by every
person but me. l must do myself the Justice to
state that never regarded my engagement to
Stephen seriously; it was part of plan to Sc
cure my happiness and rights. And as Stephen
fully conceded in it, do not expect censure
from any one else.
1 think It was no later than the third night
after stephen had spoken to my uncle that 1
frankly tOldhim thought ought not to marry
him. He asked me why. and l said: "Ali my
life long, Stephen, have been such q crushed,
unhappy girl. l have been afraid to speak. or
laugh, or sing. and no one but Norman Strong
ever said a kind word to me until you came"
Sand you love Norman" he asked, bluntly.
So answered, ''Yes, love him, and he loves
me, and when he got the position of cashier in
your bank, he wanted to marry me; but uncle
said We were neither of Us to be trusted with
my $500
$50 you have s25. 0O0?"
'Papa left me that much; but Uncle Miles can
keep it until am thrty-five, 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 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"
Il could-with Norman to help me-"
Then We had a long conversation, which it is
not necessary for me to repeat; it will be under
stood by what follows. There was no change
apparent between Stephen and 1. He behaved
exactly as lover of his age and character would
be likely to behave. He sent aunt presents
from his lighthouses, and he made me presents
Uncle Miles house. and sometimes we were left
alone together, and sometimes we went out for
walk. Norman came to see us occasionally on
Sunday night, and my aunt said he had really
behaved with more good sense than she expect
ed. / think she thought that if I married the
banker 1t might not be a bad thing for my cousin
Malvina, who was very plain, to marry the
bankers cashier.
Everything went on with the greatest pro-
priety. 1 had announced my intention to have
an extraordinary trOusseau. and this being a
point on which aunt could feel with me, the
next four months were pleasantly spent in shop
ping and sewing. Never in our little town had
there been seen such dozens Of elegantly
trimmed undergarments, such lingerie. such
hosiery, such morning dresses and evening cos
TUNES, such wonderful boots and slippers and
jewelry. We held little receptions every after
noon month before the wedding, and my
wardrobe was laid out in the best bedroom for
comment and inspection.
1t was about this time that Stephen Barker
said to uncle: II understand Frances has
s25, 200. wish her to have it SO settled on
herself, and for her own absolute use that /
propose, Mr. Miles. if you are willing. to add
$4,000 to 1t, 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, whatever changes come. it secures her a
competency, for as soon as the railway is
finished it will be worth double What do you
saw"
Il think your offer extremely generous, Mr.
Barker, and, of course. for such purpose. am
willing to hand over to you at once Frances
fortune. The interest has been applied to her
own use always Will you look at the accOunts?"
''YOur word is sufficient, Mr.. Miles,"
So In about two weeks the transfer was safely
and amicably effected, and Stamford Hall and
estate were firmly and surely made over to
Frances Halliday, spinster, for her and her heirs
forever. 1 must state here that opposed as
strongly as l thought right Stephens gift of
$4,000, and his subsequent outlay of 81 900 on
furniture, but both uncle and aunt said that the
settlement was small enough for man Of his
means, and that 1t would be afectatOn to OPP
pose 1t. And really Stephen managed the whole
affair with such fatherly kindness and thought
fitness that could not bear to oppose him.
At length the wedding day drew near. 1t had
been arranged for Wednesday morning, and we
were to leave for New York Immediately after
the ceremony. Cousin Jose, who had prepared
himself to look down on all the world from the
pulpit, was to perform the ceremony. This
showed in Jose very Christian spirit, seeing
that he had once looked on me and my $50, 900
with affection, and / had not appreciated the
honor. However, he forgave me at this inter
esting epoch, and came benignly to bless my
venture. He brought me as present black
onyx seal ring, on which was set cross in seed
pearls. He had offered me it once before with
his affections and his manse, and had then re-
fused it. I 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 Barker, and the settled bills for 81 900
worth Of new furniture which Stephen had sent
to make the old rooms pretty and comfortable
Uncle gave me a set of silver, and aunt some
fine china, both Of which gifts 1 took care to
send to Stamford before my wedding day. NV
cousins and aunts and friends gave me all sorts
of jewelry and pretty personal knickknacks,
and these carefully packed in the half-dozen
Trunks which w a otod
two days before the marriage day.
For Stephen had proposed to send all my
trunks to our New York hotel two days before
we left, in order that we might have no concern
about them, and that might be sure to have all
wanted on my arrival. opposed this plan at
first, but aunt said it was eminently proper
and thoughtful" So all my wardrobe EXCEPT
my wedding dress and travelling suit arrived
at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York, on the
last day of my maiden life.
Norman Strong called that night, and was in
remarkably high spirits. He wished me every
happiness, and was very attentive to Malvina.
Aunt thought his behavior charming-so I'M
seiish-and was also very well satisfied with
it.