Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-10-21

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 s o'clock. and then
Uucle Miles sent word at once to S.eph-
en- Barker, who secluded himself for
that day entirely. My aunt and cousins
chagrin and disappointment were gssy'
great; III fact when l considered the
amount Of coincidence of gossip, they
would have to endure, I felt that for all
the sights aud scorns of my unIoved
girlhood could cry quits. And I got
my fortune also, and Norman and were
80 completely happy We had not
care for Stephen had given him $500
bill and months holiday, and told us
to get all the pleasure VIC could out of
it. We obeyed him implicitly.
|
down little. I did not expect to be
forgiven all at once, and was not but
I then was in position rot to worry
particularly about it. We returned
very quitely, after dark one night, very
much like two children who have play
; ed truant all day and creep home at
) night fall with as little ostentation rs
possible.
But at Stamford Hall everything had
been prepared for my comfort. The
fires were blazing, the gas lighted, and
an excellent supper waiting. The next
morning Norman went back to his desk.
, and Stephen took no moro notice Of his
return than if he had never left it.
, People who had been speculating about
t his losing his position knew in ve
j minutes that there would be no change
/ And every one took his tone from Steph-
: en-. We were treated very much like
? two children who had been forgiven,
I and whose fault was not to be thrown
up to them.
:. That was the way men took it, end
v Norman pretended to be satisfied. The
v women acted with a great deal more in
:. telligence. They all came to soa me.
+ and though I did not give them al
@ credit for the very kindest of metives
:. I made them all welcome. told then
n about my wedding trip and showed then
d my new things, and l dare say the mel
4, talked everything over with them after
r. ward.
t. But what most puzzled everybody wa
IS that Stephen Barker came 50 often +
a see us. and was So friendly with Norman
IN Some thought 1t very meanspirited i
8. him, others remembered that when h
th was very young he had loved my rlothe
ID very dearly. Even those who spok
kindly of him did not give him cred
g for half the noble unselfishness he ha
w shown for he would not let me tell an
g one that it was he himself who ha
k planned everything about my propert
th and my wedding.
Al ''Just let them say you jllted m'
ld Frances, If they please to do so. "
OF know better, and we will keep our s.
| cret until Uncle Miles comes round."
ny Aunt and uncle both came rour
ITS sooner than we expected. When it Wi
ry known that Stephen spent so much
nd his time with US, Aunt Miles considere
en- the advantages of having her dsughte
nd brought famiIiarly i'll contact with hin
ge and for their sakes she came to see II
and gave me the kiss of reconciliatio
all But as far as catching Stephen
rk heart ''in the rebound was concerne
II, she was just little too late, Norman
rn sister, who was a teacher i'll one of Il
Ire public schools of New York, came
l spend her vacation with us, aud Step
AID en- fell in love with her in way whi'
ut convinced me that his love for Franc
my Halliday had only been the shadow
AZ the love he had for her mother. VIII
e~ Norman himself never behaved me
len foolishly about me than Stephen abo
| (ulS Ittic pItklG nueu AcA oAS
nd plain-every one must allow that.
ihe Aud the preparations that are goi
vas on for the marriage gqnite amuss n
gut who might have been tho bankers W
= myself. Dear me, think Love nj
IN often laugh, at the kiud of people
comes in contac. with. But / ho
en- Stephen will be happy; do indeed.
iiei That is all l have to say about !
- marriage. | think it was rather pcs
liar. Some women will doubtless s
en- they don't believe such me, AS S.epl
was exist. But let girl when she discov
iai she does no. like 4 man, tell him
Oh ID ask his advice and help, aud ten
z''' one she will find another Stephen. Fl
can men be chivalrous anal se.f-denyi
If women don; give them opportuni'i
uas