Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-10-21

and this being point On which aunt
could feel with me, the next four
month were pleasantly spent in shop
ping and sewing. Never in our little
town had there been seen such dozens
OF elegantly trimmed undergarments, |,
such lingerie, such hosiery. such morn
ing dresses and evening costumes, such |
wonderful boots and slippers and jewel
ry. We had little receptions every af-
ternoon before the wedding, and my
wardrobe was hid out in the best bed
room for comment and inspection.
1t was about this time that Stephen
Barker said to my uncle: II understand
Frances has s25, 900. Iwish her to have
1t SO settled on herself, and for her own
absolute use, that l propose, Mr.. Miles.
if you are willing, to add $1,000 to it,
and buy for her the Stanford estate. 1t
is only three miles from here, the house
is a very fine one. the land excellent,
and then, whatever changes come, 1t
secures her competency, for as soon
as the railway is finished it will be
worth double. What do you sayf"
81 think your offer extremely gener-
Gus, Mr. Barker, and OF course for such
a purpose I am willing to hand over to
you at once Frances fortune. The in
terest has been applied to her own use
always. Will you look at the accounts?'
"Your word is sufficient. Mr.. Miles"
| 50 in about two weeks the transfer
was safely and amicable effected, and
Stamford Hall and estate were firmly
and surely made over to Frances Halli-
day, spinstcr, for her and her heirs for
ever I must state here that opposed
as strongly as l thought right Stephens
gift OF $40 900, aud his subsequent out.
lay of $1,000 on furniture, but both
uncle and aunt said that the settlement
was small enouxh for man OF his
means, and that it would be affectation
to oppose it. And really Stephen man
aged the whole affair with such fatherly
kindness and thoughtfulness that !
could not bear to oppose him.
At length the wedding day drew near.
1t had been arranged for wednesday
morning, and we were to leave for New
York immediately nfter the ceremony
Cousin jose, who had prepared himself
to look down on all the world from the
pulpit, was to perform the ceremony
This showed in jose very Christian
: spirit, seeing that he had once LOOKED
on me and my $4,000 with affection
: and had not appreciated the honor
: However, he forgave me at this interest
| lug epoch, and came benignly to bles
1 my venture He brought me as i
o present a black onyx seal ring, O.
II which was set cross in seed pearls
Il He had offered me it once before, wit
0 his affections and his manse, and ha
then refused it, / took it this time.
1t helped to swell the list of my pres
) ents, and they certainly made goodl
:, show First there was the Stamford es
: tate from my father and Stephen Bari
y er, and the settled bills for 81 900 wort
: OF new furniture which Stephen la
!, sent to make the old rooms pretty an
comfortable. Uncle gave me a set
&c silver and aunt some china which
took care to send to Stamford before ID
: wedding day. My cousins and aun
and friends gave me all sorts of jewelr
III aud pretty personal knicknacks, al
j. these I carefully packed in half-done
d trunks which were already corded an
re- directed two days before the malriae
y day.
For Stephen had proposed to send a
my trunks to our New Yol
lie hotel two days before we lef
e, in order that We might have no concer
SIS about them, and that I might be su
at to have all l wanted on my arrival.
1e opposed this plan at frst, but aunt sa
sit was eminently proper and though
ad full" So oil my wardrobe except n
wedding dress and travelling suit &
ii rived at the Fifth Avenue hotel, NJ
Up York, on the last day of my maid
on life.
Norman Strong called that night, a,
: was i'll remarkably high spirits. l
~ wished ne every happiness, and W
re very attentive to Malvina. Aunt thong
o. his behavior charming unselfish
u. and was also very well satisfied WI
60 it.
~ 81 shall call you about s o'cIoc
ne Frances said my aunt, as babe /
es' goodnight; ''the hairlresser comes
''y half past eight. :
Ut said, "verry we'll aunt" and We
We TO my room. The first timing 1 did "
'e- to pack my wedding dress in rs sm
an compass as possible. and then put
IN. my travelling costume. This done,
lad down in the dark. About l O'Clock
use heard the signal l watched for. l W.
lIu | softly downstairs unl.cka3 fha l,u