Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-05-06

obNA hooiNA y Sh(A hlAoSN = eAAii
evening costumes, such wonderful boots
and slippers and jewelry. We held
little receptions every afternoon month
before the wedding, and my wardrobe
twas laid out III the best bedroom for
Inspection.
1t was about this time that Stephen
Barker said TO uncle: " understand
Frances has S25, 600. l wish her to
have it so settled oil herself, and for her
own absolute use, that l propose, Mr..
Miles, if you are willing, to add $4,000
to it, and buy for her the Stamford
estate. 1t is only three miles from
here, the house is very Gne one, the
land excellent, and then, whatever
changes come, it secures her com
potency, for as soon as the railway is
finished it will be worth double. What
do you say ?"
81 think your offer extremely
generous, Mr.. Barker, and of course.
Tor such purpose, j am willing TO hand
over to you at once Frances's fortune.
The interest has been applied to her
own use always. Will you look at the
accounts ?"
" Your word is sufficient, Mr. Miles. ("
80 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. ] must state here that |
opposed as strongly rs | thought right
Stephens gift of $40 600, aud his sub
sequent outlay of 81 600 on fur1iture,
but both uncle and amt said that the
settlement was small enough ior man
OF his means, and that ii would be
affectatlon to oppose it. And really
Stephen managed the whole affair with
such fatherly kindness ana thoughtful-
ness that [ could not bear to oppose
him.
at length, the wedding day drew
near. It had been arranged for We'd
nesday morning, and We were to leave
for New York Immediately after the
ceremony. Cousin Jose, who had pre-
pared himself to look down on al the
world from the pulpit, was TO perform
the ceremony. This showed in Jose a
very Christian spirit, seeing that be had
once looked on me and my S25 600 with
affection, and | had not appreciated the
honor. However, he forgaye ne at this
interesting epoch, and came henignly to
bless my venture. He brought me as Al
present black onyx seal ring, on
which was set cross in seed-pearl-.
lie bad offered me it once before, with
his affections and his means. and I had
then refused if. | took it this time.
1t helped TO swell tire list OF my pres.
ents, and they certainly made a goodly
show. First, there was the Stamf )rd
estate from my father and Stephen
Barker, and the settled bills for 81 600
worth of new furniture which Stephen
had sent to make the old rooms pretty
and comfortable. Uncle gave me n set
of silver, and aunt some fine CHINA,
both of which gifts | took care to send
to Stamford before my wedding day.
My cousins and aunts end friends gave
me all sorts of jewelry and pretty per-
sonal knicknackE, and these / carefully
packed in the ha!fdozen trunks which
were already corded and directed 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 sme to have all [ re-
quired on my arrival. l opposed this
plan at first, but aunt said st was emf
nently proper and thoughtful. So all
my wardrobe except my wedding dress
and travelling suit arrived at the hotel,
in New York City, 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 Malvins. Aunt thought
his behavior charmiDg-so unselfish-
and / was also very wei satisfied with it.
81 shall call you about s 4,'clock,
Frances, said my aunt, as / bade her
goodnight; ''the hair-dresser comes at
half-past eight"
l said, every well, aunt" and went
TO my room. The first thing did was
to pack my wedding dress in as small
compass as possible, and then put on
my travelling costume. This done. [
sat down in the dark. About one clock
[ heard the signal watched for. 1
went softly down stairs, unlocked the
back door, and walked out. Norman
was there. We did not speak until we
were outside the grounds. There a
buggy waited, and we drove rapidly to
main line about three miles off. Here
we caught the two-oclock express, and
were safe IN New York and very respect
ably married by ten 0 clock. Ny trunks.
which had arrived the day befure, were
then redire cted for Washington, and
after delicions little wedding breakfast
all by ourselves-we left for that city
In the meantime there was trouble
enough Mt Milford. Our flight was not
discovered till near eight O'Clock, aud
then Uncle Miles sent word at once to
Stephen Barker, who secluded himself
for that day entirely. My aunt and
cousins chagrin and disappointment
were very great /; in fact, when [ con-
sldered the amount of coincidence and
gossip they would have to endure, felt
that for all the sights and scorns OF nv
unloved girlhood 1 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 a $500 bill and Il months holiday,
end told us to get all the pleasure we
could out of it. We obeyed him i'm
plicitIy.
During that month things settled
down little. l did MOI expect to be
forgiven all at once, aud was not but
then | was in a position not to worry
particularly abontit. Wereturned verv
quietly. after dark one night. very much