Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-05-11

compass as possible, ana then put on
my travelling costume. This done,
sat down in the dark. About o'clock
| heard the signal watched for. went
softly downstairs, unlocked the back
door and walked out. Norman was
there. We did not speak until we were
outside the grounds. There q buggy
waited, and we drove rapidly to main
line about three miles of. Here we
caught the 9 o'clock express, and were
safe in New York and very respectfully
married by 10 o'clock. My trunks,
which had arrived the day before, were
then redirected for Washington, and
after delicious little wedding break
fast-all by ourselves-we left for that
city.
In the meantime there was trouble
enough in milford. Our fight was not
discovered till near 8 o'clock, and then
Uncle Miles sent word Of once to
Stephen Barker, who secluded himself
for that day entirely. My aunt and
cousins chagrin and disappointment
were very great; in fact. when I con-
sidered the amount OF coincidence and
gossip they would have to endure, /
felt that for all the sights and fcorns
OF my unloved girlhood l could cry
quits. And had got my fortune also,
and Norman and were so completely
happy We had not care, for Stephen
had given him $500 bill and a months
holiday, and told us to get all the
pleasure we could out OF it. We obeyed
him implicitly.
During that month things aettled
down a little. 1 did not expect to be
forgiven all at once, and was not; but
then I was in n position not TO worry
particularly about it. We returned
very quietly. after dark one night, very
much like two children who have
played truant all day, and creep homo
at nightiall with as little ostentation as
possible.
Bat at Stamford Hall everything had
been prepared for my comfort. The
fires werO blazing, the gas lighted, and
an excellent supper waiting. The next
morning Norman went back to his desk,
and Stephen took no more notice Of his
return than il he had never left it.
People who had been speculating about
his losing his position knew in five
minutes that there would be no change.
And every one took his tone from Ste
phen. We we're treated very much like
two children who had been forgiven,
and whose fault was not 10 bo thrown
up to them.
That was the way the men took it.
aud Norman pretended to be satisfied.
Tho women acted with great deal
more intelligence. They all came TO see
me, aud though did not give them all
credit for the very kindest of motives,
made them all welcome. / told them
about my wedding trip, and showed
them my now things, and I dare say
the men talked everything over with
them aiterward.
But what most puzzled erybody
was that Stephen Barker came 20 often
to see us, and was so friendly with Nor
mar. Some thought it very mean
spirited in him. and others emember ed
that when he was very young he had
loved my mother dearly. Even those
who spoke kindly of him did not give
him credit for half the noble unsslfish.
ness he had shown; for he would not
let me tell any one that IL was he him
self who had planned everything about
my property and my wedding.
Just let them say you jilted me,
Frances, IL they please to do 80. We
know better, and We will keep our
secret until Uncle Miles comes round"
Aunt and uncle both came round
sooner than We expected. When IL was
known that Stephen spent so much Of
his time with us. Aunt Miles considered
the advantages Of having her daug ters
brought familiarly in contact with him,
and for their sakes she came to sec me
AMI give me the kiss of reconciliation.
But as far as catching Stephens heart
"in the rebound" was concerned, she
was Just q little too late. Norman's
sister. who was teacher in one of the
public schools of New York. came to
spend her vacation with us. and Stephen
fell In love with her in 3 way which
convinced me that bis love for Frances
Halliday had only been the shadow OF
the love he had for her mother. Why,
Norman himself never behaved more
foolishly about me than Stephen abou.
this little plain Ruth Strong for she is
plain-evory one must ALLOW that