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

sense that he voluntarily gives i. to
| me. He'll never do that"
Stephen was silent long time, and
then he said, little sadly You are a
| good girl 70 be SO honest with me. II
your uncle could be made to give UP
the little fortune, do you think you
| could use it wisely Pr
II could-with Norman to help me-"
Then we had long conversation,
which it is not necessary to repeat it
will be understood by what follows.
There was no change between Stephen
| and /. He sent aunt presents from
| his lighthouses and he made me pres
ents of pretty jewelry. He spent the
evenings at uncle Miles house, and
sometimes we were left together and
| sometimes we went out for walk.
| Norman came to see us occasionally on
Sunday night and my aunt said he
had really behaved with more good
Sc se than she expected l think she
| thought that if married the banker
it might not be bad thing for my
cousin Malvina, who was very plain,
| to marry the bankers cashier.
Everything went on with the great
est propriety. / had announced my
intention to have an extraordinary
/ tr "ussean, and this being point on
which aunt could feel with me, the
| he ~
spent in shopping and sewing. Never
In our little town had there been such
dozens of elegantly trimmed under
garments, such hosiery, such morning
dresses and evening costumes, such
boots and slippers and jewelry. We
held little receptions every afternoon
a month before the wedding, and my
wardrobe was laid out in the best
room for comment and inspection.
1t was about this time that Stephen
| Barker said to uncle: ~ understand
Frances has 1000 / wish her to
have it so settled OH herself, and for
her own absolute use, that I propose,
Mr.. Miles, if you are willing. to add
$4,000 to it, and buy for her the STAN
ford estate. 1t is only three miles
from here, the house is very fine one,
the land excellent, and then, whatever
ges come, it secures her COM
potency, for as soon as the railway is
finished it vii be worth double.
What do you say ?"
~ think your offer extremely gen
erous, Mr.. Barker, and, of course, for
such a purpose, [ am willing to hand
over to you at once Frances fortune.
The interest 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 amicable affected, and
Stamford Hall and estate were firmly
and surely made over 10 Frances Hal
liday, spinster, for her and her heirs
forever. / must state here that I op-
posed, as / tn ought right, Stephens
gift of SIC, 900, and his subsequent out
lay of $1,000 on furniture, but both
uncle and aunt said that the settle
ment was small enough for a man of
his means, and that it would be affec-
tation to oppose it. And really Stephen
managed the whole affair with such
fatherly kindness and thoughtfulness
that could not bear 10 oppose him.
At length the wedding day drew
near. 1t had been arranged for Wed
nesday morning, and we were to leave
for New York Immediately after the
ceremony. Cousin Jose. who had
prepared bimself to look down on all
the world from the pulpit, was to per-
form the ceremony. This showed in
Jose very Christian spirit, seeing
that he had once looked on me and
my $25, 900 with affection, and had
not appreciated the honor. However,
he forgave me at this interesting
pooh, and came benignly to bless my
venture He brought me as present
|
set cross in seed pearls. He had
offered me it once before, with his
affections and his means, and I had
then refused it. / took it now.
1t helped to swell the list of my
presents and they certainly made a
goodly show. First there was the
Stamford estate from father and Ste
phen Barker, and the settled bills for
$1,000 worth of new fur iture 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 aHnts
and friends gave me all sorts of jewelry
and pretty personal knick.knacks. and
these carefully packed in the half
dozen trunks which were already
corded and directed two days before
the marriage day. -