The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-02-08
FLEEING FROM AFoRTUNE.

FLEEING FROM A FORTUNE.
The sun rose propitiously bright
on Grace Sylvester's wedding morn;
the air was balmy, the sky blue,
and all nature seemed in sympathy
with the happy day. Presently
stir awoke in the household that
soon swelled into a murmur of con-
sternation. The bride was missing.
Some one had gone to her chamber
to awaken her and found it empty.
Immediately a search was instituted
which proved fruitless. The bride
groom was sent for, but he could Of
fer no explanation like the parentr
he was distracted with anxiety.
Grace Sylvester was proud. lni-
petuous temper. She was an only
child, and somewhat spoiled, as was
natural; but nothing that could be
imagined adduced could sccount for
this unheard of freak she had not
even fastened a note on the toilet
cushion as key to the mystery, af-
ter the custom Of heroines. For a
week previous to this now unlucky
day. the Sylvester mansion had con-
tinuously opened its hospitable por-
tails to srrixing guests. Friends and
relations of Mr. Frank Howard, the
expectsnt bridegroom, crowded to
do honor to the occasion, which the
Sylvester connection were no less
eager toembellish with their pres
ence. This singular occurrence,
therefore could not possibly be pre-
served secret, and the chagrined
and distracted host and hostess had
all the added misery of knowing
that their daughters inexplicable
fight was the subject of all sorts Of
surmise discussions, by those who,
in set phrase, endeavored TO condole
with them, and at the same time
hint at insanity as the only solution
of such an unprecedented freak.
But special gleam was soon des-
tined TO illuminate the darkness.
Grace had not been unmindful of
her dead parents, nor Of her devoted
lover, letter addressed to the for
mer had been dropped by her in
the post-office. Ii was briei. and
evidently written under the pressure
of excitement but even in Its frag-
mentary haste, Mr.. and Mrs. Syl-
vester could trace their daughters
tenderness and her lover, despite
the undispelied mystery ofits tone,
took consolation from il. Its con-
tents may be rendered thus
She had left Of her own free will
and unaccompanied, though she adj
mitted that she would be met at her
journeys end by worthy guardi-
an, in whose care she would remain,
and who, at the expiration of IA week
weuld bring her home again until
then. she begged they would wait
for her explanation, and above
ali forgive any pain or annoyance
her hasiy disappearance had cau--
cd.
fhis epistle, though gratefully re-
ceived, since it assured them OF
her safety, was not, of course, en-
tirely satisfactory to her parents and
lover. Despite her promise to re-
turn, they could not remain quiet
till the expiration of the time nam
cd, but sought her in every place ;
but, as was evident from the securi-
ty OF her retreat. Grace did not
mean to be found till after the in
ierval she had named. One by one
or in small parties, a. they had come,
the wedding guests departed. They
carried to their own houses charm
.uglv inexhaustibie theme for gossip
and wonderment. Every one held
separate solution and theory and
the subject promised TO be one oI
unusual variety and entertainment.
But only one of them possessed any
clue to the truth-and she, sly, in.
sidious plotter that she was, had
laid a train whose success promised
.even beyond her hope. She watch
ed its development in silence. i
was not her cue TO speak, but e
await the fulfilment of her design
ard so she fingered, protesting the
intensest sympathy for all, and a
the same time contrivIng 10 bcs.ou
most of it on Frank Howard, hei
distant cousin:
This young lady. May Prescott b,
name. had long been hopelessly il
love with her cousin Frank. Sh,
knew that his heart was devoted Il
another, but had never had an op
portunity Of seeing her rival till th
generous and unsuspecting Grace
wishing to give both her aud Franl
pleasure, had asked her bv letter I
be one of her bridesmaids.
Mays darling object was thel
gained. She had unlimited faith il
her own power Of creating discord
and had secretly resolved to sepa
rate the lovers and win Frank fo
herself, even at the eleventh hour.
Her first interview with Grace con
vinced her that ardent and impul
sive generosity we're the stron.
points of her character. On thes,
she acted.
How oddly the gifts of fate ar,
distributed" said she with sigh a
they were talking together the nigh
before the wedding zone woul,
think il was enough to get beau
tiful wife without grasping at
great fortune, too; bot then Franl
always had keen eye for the mail
chance
Grace's lace flushed a deep indig
nant crimson her full, bright eve
flashed with sudden anger as sh,
looked at May Prescott steadily.
Pray explain yourself, Miss Pres
cott," she said, Il donot understand
Won in the least
What Have you never heard %
the will Of Franks rrcentri, ~.
Cncie PAUL. Bat am sorry pcr
iiaps / have done wrong in mention
ing il. No doubt he meant TO de
ceive vou--no. no. ] don't mear
that-l mean perhaps he did 10!
wish YOU to know.p
She affected TO be ov.lcome wlil