Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-01-25
FLEEING FROM A FORTUNE.

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.
Presen lv stir awose in the household
that soon swelled into murmur OF con-
sternation. The bride was missing. Some
one had gone to her chamber to awaken
her and found it empty. Immediately
search was instituted, which proved fruit
less. The bridegroom was sent for, bnt
he could offer no explanation; like
the parents, he was distracted with
anxiety.
Grace Sylvester was proud, impul-
s;va oirl with warm heart and i'm
petuous temper She was an only cnlid,
and somewhat spoiled, as was natrrai;
but nothing that could be imagined or
a.Iducad could account for this unheard
of freak; she had net even fastened
note ON the toilet-cushIon as key to the
mystery, after the custom OF heroines.
For a week previous to this now un-
luckv DAY, the Sylvester mansion had
continuously opened its hospltaoie
portals to arriving guests. Friends and
relations of Mr.. Frank Howard, the ex-
pectart bridegroom, crowded 10 90
bonor to the occasion. which the Syl'es-
ter connection were no less eager TO
.m;.eIlish with their preseLce, IhiS
singular occurrence, therefore, could
not possibly be preserved secret ana
the ,hagrined and distracted host ana
hostess had all the added misery ol
knowing that their daughters mexpiica-
ble flight was the subject OF all sorts oi
surmises and discussions, by those VINO,
in set. phrase, endeavored to condoie
with them, and at the same time mint AT
insanity as the only solution OF sucn an
unprecedented freak 9,
But a special gleam was soon destined
TO Illuminate the darkness Oiace hau
NOT been unmindful of her dear parents,
NOR Of her devoted lover, a letter ad-
dressed to the former had been dropped
by her in the post-ofiice. 1t was orlei' ana
evidently written under the pressure Oh
excitement; but even its tragmentary
haste. Mr.. and Mrs. Sylvester couid
trace their daughters tenderness; ana
her lover, despite the undispelieu
mystery of its tone, took consola'ion I
from it. Its conten is may be rendered
thus:
She had left of her own free VIII ana
uuaccompanied, though she admitteo
that she would he met at her journey
end by A worthy guardian. IN whose care
she would remain, and who, at the eN-
n;ration of Il week, would bring hef
home again; until then, she begged they
would wait for her explanation, anu
above all forgive any pain or annoyance
her hasty disappearance had ca''se"'
This epistle, though gratefully receiV-
cd since it assured them OF her SAFETY
WAS not. of course, entirely satisfactory
to her parent and lover. Despite hei
nromise to return, they could not remain
or;et till the expiration of the time
named. but sought her in every place
but as was evident from the security ol
her retreat, Grace did not mean to pe
found till after the interval she mao
named One by one, or in small parties,
as they had co,ne, the wedding guests
departed. They carried to their OWL
houses a charmingly inexhaustible theme
for gossip and wonderment. livery one
held a separate solution and theory ah'
the subject promised to be one OF uh
nsual variety and entertainment. bu'
only one of them possessed any clue u
the truth-and she, sly, insidious plot
ter tba. she was, had laid train Whose
success promised even beyond her hope
Sh. watched its development III silence
II was not her cue to speak, but to awai
the fulfilment of her design, and so sh'
fingered. protesting the nitensest sym
p3tny 1Of all, stlu III tiiS 7
irving to bestow most OF 1t Oh fraiil
Howard, her distant cousin.
This young lady, May Prescott D.
name, had long been hopelessly IN low
with her cousin Frank. She knew tina
his heart was devoted to another, pu
had never had an opportunity OF Seem
her rival till the generous and unsus
pecting Grace, wishing 20 give boi n ne
and Frank pleasure, had asked her o
letter TO be one of Ii er bridesmaids.
Nays darling object was then gained
She had unlimited faith IN her o"
power of creating discord, and ha
secretly resolved to separate the io'ei
and win Frank for herself, even at I'll
eleventh hour.
Her.first interview with Grace COZ
vinced her that ardent and lmPuioi
generosity were the strong points oi h'
character. On these she acted.
"How oddly the gifts OF tate are ~
rbuted," said she with sign as 'ne