Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-05-11
ct could-with Norman to help me. !"

Wnich III tB not necessary Tor mo TO
repeat; il will be understood by what
follows. There was no change apparent
between Stephen and l. He behaved
exactly as lover of his age and charac-
ter would be likely to behave. he sent
aunt presents from his lighthouses, and
he made me presents OF pretty jewelry.
He spent tho evenings at Uncle Miless
house. and sometimes We were loft
alone together, and sometimes we went
out for walk. Norman came TO see
us occasionally on Sunday night, and
my aunt said he had really behaved with
moIe good sense than she expected. /
think she thought that if married the
banker, it might not be bad thing for
my Cousin Malvina, who was very plain,
to marry the bankers cashier.
Everything went on with the greatest
propriety. had announced my inten.
tion to have an extraordinary trousseau,
and this being point on which aunt
could feel with me, the next four
months 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
jewelry. We held little receptions
every afternoon n month before the
wedding, and my wardrobe was laid out
in the best bedroom for comment and
inspection.
It was about this time that Stephen
Barker said TO my uncle: 81 understand
Frances has S25, 600. wish her to have
it 80 settled on herself, and for her own
absolute use, that l propose, Mr..
Miles, il you are willing, to add $4,000
to it, and buy for her the Stamford
estate. 1t is only three miles from
here, the house is very fine one, tho
land excellent, and then, whatever
changes come, it secures her q compe-
tency, for as soon as the railway is fin
ished it will be worth double. What
do you say p
81 think your offer extremely gen
erous, Mr.. Barker, and OF course for
such purpose l am willing to hand
over to you at once Frances fortune.
The interest has been applied to her
own use always. VIII you look at the
accounts ?"
Your word is sufficient, Mr.. Miles. "
SO in about two weeks the transfer
was safely and amicably effected, and
Stamford Hall and estate were firmly
and surely made over TO Frances Halli-
day, spinster, for her and her heirs for
ever. must state here that l opposed
as strongly as thought right Stephens
gift OF $40. 600, and his subsequent out
lay of $1,000 on furniture. but both
uncle and aunt said that the sett ,ment
was small enough for q man OF his
means, and that il would be afreciation
to oppose it. And really Stephen man
aged the whole affair with such fatherly
kindness and thoughtfulnesss that
could not bear to oppose him.
At length the wedding day drew
near. 1t had been arranged for Wednes-
day morning. and We we're to leave
for New York Immediately after the
ceremony. Cousin Jose, who had pre-
pared himself to look down on all the
world from the pulpit, was TO perform
the ceremony. This showed in Jose n
very Christian spirit, seeing that he had
once looked on me and my s25, 900 with
affection, and / had not appreciated
the honor. However, he forgave me at
this interesting epoch, and came be-
nignly to bless my venture. He brought
me as q present black onyx seal ring,
on which was set cross in seed pearls.
He had offered me it once before. with
his affections and his manse, aud had
then refused it. I took 1t this time.
II helped to swell the list Of my pres.
ents, and they certainly made q goodly
show. First there was the Stamford
estate from my father and Stephen Bar
ker, and the settled bills for $1,000
worth of new furniture which Stephen
had sent 20 make the old rooms pretty
and comfortable. Uncle gave me n set
Of silver and aunt some fine china,
both of which gifts I took care to
send to Ste smford before my wedding
day. Ny cousins and aunts and friends
gave me ell sorts OF iewelry and pretty
personal knickknaeks. and these care
fully packed in the half-dozen trunks
which were already corded and directed
two days before the marriage day.
For Stephen had proposed to send all
my trunks to our New York hotel two