Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-05-12

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day, spinster, for her and her heirs for
ever. | must state here that | opposed
rs strongly rs l thought right Stephens
gift of $4,000, and his subsequent
outlay of 81 900 on furniture, but both
uncle and aunt said that the settlement
was small enough for man of his
means, and that it would be aflectation
to oppose it. And really Stephen man
aged the whole affair with such fatherly
kindness and thoughtfulncss 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 after 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 q very Christian
spirit, seeing that he had once looked
on me and my $4,000 with affection,
aud | had not appreciated the honor.
However, he forgavc me at this inter-
esting epoch, and came bcnignly to bless
my venture. He brought me as pres
ent black onyx seal ring, on which was
set cross in seed-pearls. He had of
fered me it once before, with his aifec-
tions and his manse, and | had then re-
fused it. | took it this time.
1t helped to swell the list of my pres
ents, and they certainly made goodly
show. First there was the Stamford
estate from my father and Stephen
Barker, and the settled bills for $1,000
worth of new furniture 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.
My cousins and aunts and friends gave
me all sorts of jewelry and pretty per-
sonal knick- knacks, and these l care
fully packed in the half-dozen trunks
which were already corded and direct
ed two days before the marriage day.
For Stephen had proposed to send all
my trunks to our New York hotel two
days before we left, in order that we
might have no concern about them, and
that / might abe sure to have all
wanted on my arrival. | opposed this
plan at first, but aunt said "it was
eminently proper and thoughtful" So
all my wardrobe except my wedding
dress and travelling suit arrived at the
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last day of my maiden life.
and was in remarkably high spirits. He
wished me every happiness, and was
very attentive TO Malvina. Aunt
thought his behavior charming-so un-
sellish-and was also very well salts.
fed with it.
Il shall call you about eight o'clock,
Frances said my aunt, rs | bade hel
good-night; "the hair-dresser comes al
half-past eight"
said: Every well, aunt" and went
to my room. The first thing did was
to pack my wedding dress in as small
compass rs possible, and then put on my
travelling costume This done, | sal
down in the dark. About one o'clock
heard the signal watched for. went
softly down stairs, unlocked the back
door, and walked out. Norman wa,
there. We did not speak until we were
outside the grounds. There buggy
| waited, and we drove rapidly to Il mail
line about three miles of. Here w,
caught the two o'clock express, anC
We're safe in New York and very re
specially married by ten o'clock. My
trunks, which had arrived the day be
fore, were then redirected for Washing
ton, and after delicious little wedding
breakfast-all by ourselves-we left fol
that city.
, In the meantime there was trouble
enough in Milford. Our flight was not
discovered till near eight O'clock, and
then Uncle Miles sent word at once tc
Stephen Barker who secluded himself
! fA,. ho+ 1n,- nj IL,
Cousins chagrin and disappointment
were very great; in fact, when l consid
cred the amount of coincidence and gos
sip they would have to endure, felt
that for all the Sights and scorns of my
unloved girlhood [ could cry quits. And
/ had got my fortune also, and Norman
and were so completely happy! We
had not care, for Stephen had giver
him $500 bill and a months holiday
and told us to get all the pleasure We
could out of it. We obeyed him i'm
plicitly.
During that month things settled dowr
, little. did not expect to be forgiven
all at once, and l was not; but then
was in n position not to worry particular
ly about it. We returned very quietly,
after dark one night, very much lik,
two children who have played truant al
day, and creep home at night-fall Will
as little ostentation as possible.
But at Stamford Hall everything hat
been prepared for my comfort. Th,
fires were blazing, the gas lighted, ano
an excellent supper waiting. The mex
morning Norman went back to his desk
and Stephen took no more notice of his
return than if he had never left it. Peopl,
who had been specializing about hi:
position knew in five minutes that ther,
would be no change. And every one
took his tone from Stephen. We were
treated very much like two children
who had been forgiven, and whose faul
was not to be thrown up to them.
That was the way the men took It
and Norman pretended to be satisfied
The women acted with great deal mor,
intelligence. They all came to see me-
and though 1 did not give them al
credit for the kindest of motives, made
them all welcome. | told them abou
my wedding trip, and showed them my
new things, and | dare say the mel
talked everything over with them after
ward.
But what most puzzled everybody wa
that Stephen Barker came so often u
see us, and was so friendly with Nor
man. Some thought it very mean-spir
; tied in him, and others remembers,
that when he was very young he ha'
loved my mother dearly. Even thos
who spoke kindly of him did not Civ
him credit for half the noble unsellisll
ness he had shown; for he would no
; let me tell any one that it was he him
self who had planned everything abou
: my property and my wedding.
, d" Just let them say you Tilted me
: Frances, if they please to do so. w
. know better. and we will keep ou
. secret until Uncle Miles comes round.
4 Aunt and uncle both came roun
: sooner than we expected. When it wa
known that Stephen spent so much {
+ his time with us, Aunt Miles considere
9 the advantages of having her daugf
= ters brought familiarly in contact wit