St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-06-03

, exactly as lover Of his age and char
acter would be likely to behave. He
sent aunt presents from his lighthouses,
and he sent me presents of pretty
jewelry. He spent the evenings at
Uncle Miles house. and sometimes we
were left alone together, and sometimes
we went out for walk. Norman came
to see us occasionally on a Sunday night,
and my aunt said he really behaved
with more good sense than she ex-
pected. I think she thought that if l
married the banker, it might not be a
bad thing for my cousin Malvina, who
was very plain, to marry the banker $
Cashier.
Everything went on with the greatest
propriety. l had announced my inten-
ton 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 town had
there been seen such dozens of elegantly
trimmed under-garments, such lingerie,
such hosiery, such morning dresses and
evening costumes, such wonderful boots
and slippers and jewelry. We held lit
tie receptions every afternoon month
before the wedding, and my wardrobe
comment and inspection.
1t was about this time that Stephen
Barker said to uncle: Il understand
Frances has twenty-five thousand dollars
/ wish her to have it SO settled on her
self, and for her own absolute use, that
| propose, Mr.. Miles, if you are willing,
ITO add $4,000 to, it, and buy for .her. the
/ Stamford estate. 1T is only three miles
ftrom here, the house is livery fine one,
the land excellent, and then, whatever
changes come, it secures her a compe-
tency, for as soon as the railway is fin
ished it will be worth double. What do
you say?"
/ Il think your offer extremely gener-
Gus, Mr.. Barker and, of course, for such
purpose, am willing to hand over to
you at once Frances fortune. The in
terest 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 Halli-
| day, spinster, for her and her heirs for
| ever. / must state here that opposed
as strongly as l thought right Stephen
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 a man of his
to oppose it. And really Stephen man
aged the whole affair with such fatherly
kindness and thoughtfulness 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 a very Christian
spirit, seeing that he had once looked
on Inc and my $4,000 with affection,
and had not appreciated the honor.
However, he forgaye me at this inter-
esting epoch, and came benignly to bless
my venture. He brought me as a pres
ent black onyx seal ring, on whichwas
set cross in seed-pearls. He had of
fered me it once before, with his affec-
tons and his manse, and had then re-
fused it. Itook it this time.
It helped to swell the list of my pres
ents, and they certainly made a goodly
show. First there was. the Stamford
estate from my father and Stephen
Barker, and the settled bills for $1,000
worth of new furniture which Stephen
had sent to make the old rooms pretty
and comfortable. Uncle gave me set
OF silver, and aunt some fine china,
both of which gifts took care to send
to Stamford before my wedding day.
Ny cousins and aunts and friends gave
me all sorts of jewelry and pretty per-
sonal knick-k nacks, and these l care
fully packed in the half-dozen trunks
which were already corded and direct
ed 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 l.
wanted on my arrival. I 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 I'M
selfsh-and I was also very well salts
fed with it.
81 shall call you about eight o'clock,
Frances said my aunt, as [ babe her
goodnight; "the hair-dresser comes at
half-past eight.
I said: every well, aunt and went
to ny. room. The first thing did was