The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1882-06-03

plan at first. but aunt said sit was en-
inently 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 last night,
and was in remarkably high spirits.
He wished me every happiness, and
was very attentive to Malvina. Aunt
thought his behavior charming = so
unselfish-and I was also very well
satisfied with it.
II shall call you about eight o'clock,
Frances" said my aunt, as I babe her
goodnight: 'the hairdresser comes at
half-past eight"
l said, Very well, aunt" and went
to my room. The first thing did was
to pack my wedding dress in as small
compess as possible, and then put on
my travelling costume. This done, [
sat down in the dark. About one
o'clock heard the signal l watched
for. [ went softly down stairs, I'M
locked the back door, and walked out
Norman was there. We did not speak
until we were outside the grounds.
There buggy waited, and we drove
rapidly to a main line about three
miles of. Here we caught the two
O'Clock express, and were safe in New
York and very respectfully married by
ten O'Clock. My trunks, which had ar
rived the day before, were then redi-
rected for Washington and after deli
cious little wedding breakfast-all by
ourselves--we left for that city.
In the mean time there was trouble
in Milford. Our flight was not dis
| covered till near eight o'clock, and
then uncle Miles sent word at once to
Stephen Barker, who secluded himself
tor that day entirely. Ny aunt and
Cousins chagrin and disappointment
was very great; in fact when | consid-
cred the amount of coincidence and
| gossip they would have to endure, I
felt that for all the sights and scorns
of my unloved girlhooi L could cry
| quits. And / had got my fortune also,
and Norman and were so completely
happy! We had not a care, for Stephen
| had given him $500 bill and a
months holiday, and told us to get
all the pleasure we could out of ii. We
obeyed him implicitly.
During that month things settled
down little. 1 did not expect to be
forgiven all at once, and I was not :;
but then | was in a position not to
worry particularly about it. We re-
turned very quietly, after dark one
night, very much like two children
who have played truant all day, and
creep home at night-falI with as little
ostentation as 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
| AN AOA1AOA LII Avn ell1 W CllL UdCh W LIS
desk, and Stephen took no more no.
tice of his return than if he had never
left it. People who had been specu-
lating about his losing his position
knew in five minutes that there would
be no change. And every one took
his tone from Stephen. We were
treated very much like two children
who had been forgiven and whose fault
was not to be thrown up to them.
That was the way the men took it,
and Norman pretended to be satisfied.
The women acted with a great deal
more intelligence. They all came to
see me, and though | did not give
them credit for the kindest of mo-
tives, | made them all welcome. I
told them about my wedding trip, and
showed them nov new things, and 1
dare say the men talked everything
over with them afterward. .te.
But what most puzzled every body
was that Stephen Barker came so often
W SCO OSI eShO W ao 81 WIFI
Norman. Some thought it was mean
spirited in him, and others remem
bered 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
unselfishness he had shown; for he
would not let me tell any one that it
was he himself who had planned
everything about my property and
my wedding.
Just let them say you Tilted me,
Frances, If they please to do so. We
know netter, and we will keep our
secret until uncle Miles comes round, -
Aunt and uncle both came round
sooner than we expected. When it
was known that Stephen spent 80
much of his time with us, Aunt Miles
considered the advantages of having
her daughters brought in contact " ith
him, and for their sakes she came to
see me and give me the ISIS of recon