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

u n,
then Uncle Miles sent word 81. oz.os to
Stephen Barker, who secluded himself
for that day entirely. My aunt and
cousins chagrin and disappointment
were very great; in fact, when | consid-
cred the amount of coincidence and oos-
sip they would have to endure, | felt
that for all the Sights and scorns of my
unloved girlhood [ could CRY quits. And
l 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 months holiday,
and told lis to get all the pleasure we
could out of it. We obeyed him i'm
plicitly.
During that month things settled down
a little. | did not expect to be forgiven
all at once, and | was not; but then
was in a position not to worry particular
ly about it. We returned very quietly,
after dark one night, very much like
two children who have played truant all
dav, and creep home at night-fall 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 next
morning Norman went back to his desk,
and Stephen took no more notice of his
return than if he had never leftit. People
who had been specializing about his
position knew in five minutes that there
would be no change. And every one
took his tone from Stephen. We We're
treated very much like two children
who had been forgiven. and whose fault
was not to be thrown up to them.
I That was the way the men took it,
and Norman pretended to be satisfied.
The women acted witha great deal more
intelligence. they all came to see me,
and though [ did not give them all
credit for the kindest of motives, made
them all welcome. | told them about
my wedding trip, and showed them rny
new things, and | dare say the men
talked everything over with them after
ward.
But what most puzzled everybody was
that Stephen Barker came so often to
see us, and was so friendly with Nor
man. Some thought it very mean-spir-
tied in him, and others remembered
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 unseltish-
ness he had shown; for he would not
let me tell any one that it was he HIM
self 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 better. 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 so much of
his time with us, Aunt Miles considered
the advantages Of having her daugh-
ters brought Familiarity in contact with
him. and for their sakes she came to
see me and give me the kiss of recon-
citation.
But as far as catching Stephens heart
Sin the rebound was concerned, she
was Just little too late. Norman's
sister, who was teacher in one of the
public schools of New York, came to
spend her vacation with US, and Stephen
fell in love with her in a way which
convinced me that his love for Frances
Halliday had only been the show of the
love he had for her mother. Why, Nor
man himself never behaved more fool
ishly about me than Stephen about this
little plain Ruth Strong; for she is
plain-every one must allow that.
And the preparations that are going
on for the marriage quite amuse me.
who might have been the bankers wife
myself. Dear me! /. think Love must
often laugh at the kind of people he
comes in contact with. But | hope Ste
phen will be happy; do, indeed.
That is all have to say about my
marriage. l think it was rather pecul-
lar. Some women will doubtless say
they don't believe such men as Stephen
exist. But let girl when. she discovers
she does not like a man, tell him so,
and ask his advice and help, and ten to
one she will find another Stephen. How
can men be chivalrous and self-denying
if women don't give them opportuni-
ties? | think that is wrong, and in
tend always to give Norman every
chance to cultivate such noble qualities.
Weekly.