Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-10-11

so settled on herself, and for her abso-
lutte use, that l propose, Mr.. Miles, if
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, the land excellent, and,
then, whatever changes come. it secures
her competency, for as soon as the
railway is finished it will be worth
double. What do YOU sav?"
- think your offer extremely gener-
ous, Mr.. Barker, and, of course. for such
purpose, | 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 ac-
countS?"
"Your word is sufficient. Mr.. Miles. :"
So in about two weeks the transfer
was safely and amicably effected. and
Stamford Hail and estate were firmly
and surely made over to Frances Halli-
day, spinster, for her and her heirs for
ever. must state here that opposed,
as strongly us | thought right, Stephen 5
gift of $4,000, and his subsequent out
lay of $1,000 on furniture, but both
uncle and aunt said that the settlement
was small enough for Il man of his
means, and that it would be atfectation
10 oppose ii. And really Stephen man.
aged the whole affair with such fatherly
kindness and thoughtfulness that I
could not bear to oppose it.
At length the wcddin"-dav drew near.
1t had been arranged for Wednesday
morning, and we were to leave fer New
York Immediately after the ceremony.
Jose, former lover showed u
Christian spirit, seeing that he once
looked on me and my S2j, 900 with atfec-
tion, ,and Ihad not appreciated the honor.
However, heforgave me at this interest
ing epoch, and came benignlyto bless my
venture. He brought me as q present u
black onyx seal ring. on which was set
cross in seed pearls. He had offered
me it once before, with his affection and
his manse, and had then refused it. 7
took it this time.
1t helped to swell the list of my pres
ents, and they certainly made u goodly
show. First, there was the Stamford
estate from my father and Stephen Bar
ker, and the settled bills tor $1,000
worth of new furniture. which Stephen
had sent to make the old rooms pretty
and comfortable. Uncle gave me u set
of silver and aunt some fine china, both
cf which gifts 1 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 directed
two days before the marriage day.
For Stephen had proposed to send off
my trunks TO our New York hotel two
days before we left in order that we
might have no concern about them, and
that | mig ght be sure to have all l wanted
on my arrival. I opposed this plan at
first, but aunt said sit was eminently
proper and thoughtful" So all my
wardrobe except my wedding dress and
travelling suit arrived at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel, New York, on the last
dav of my maiden life.
Norman Strong called that night and
was in remarkably high spirits. He
wished me every happiness and was
very attentive to Malvina. Aunt thought
his, behavior charming-so unselfsh-
and l was also very satisfied with it.
II shall call you about 8 o'clock,
Frances" said my aunt, rs | bade her
goodnight. "The hair-dresser comes at
$780,"
l said, Very we'll, aunt" and went
to my room. The first thing 1 did was
to pack my wedding dress in as small
as possible, and then put on
my travelling costume. This done, Isat
down in the dark. About 1 o'clock I
heard the signal 1 watched for. 1 went
softly down stairs, unlocked the back
door and went out. Norman was there.
We did not speak until we were outside
the grounds. There buggy waited,
and we drove rapidly to the main line,
about three miles of. Here we caught
the 2 o'clock express, and were safe in
New York and very respectfully married
by 10 o'clock. My trunks, which had
arrived the day before, were then redi-
rected to Washington, and after deli
cious little wedding breakfast-all by
left for that city.
In the meantime there was trouble in
Milford. Our flight was not discovered
until nearly 8 o'clock, and then Uncle
Miles sent word at once to Stephen Bar
ker. My aunt and cousins chagrin and
disappointment were very great; in fact,
when considered the amount of conf
dence and gossip they would have to
endure, felt that for all the Sights and
scorns of my unloved girlhood I could
cry quits. And 1 had got my fortune
also, and Norman and I were so COM
pletely happy! We had not care, for
Stephen had given him $500 bill and
q months holiday, and told us to get
all the pleasure we could out of it. We
obeyed him implicitly.
During that month things settled
down little. I did not expect to be
forgiven all at once, and was not; but
then l was in position not to worry
about it. We returned
very quietly after dark one night, very
much like children who have played
truant all day and creep home at night
fall with as little ostentation as pos
sible.
But at Stamford Hall everything had
been prepared for my comfort fires
blazing, the gas lighted, and an excel
lent supper waiting. The next morning
Norman went back to his desk, and
Stephen took no more notice of his re-
turn than if he had never left it. Peop;.,
who had been specu'ating about hi
losing that position knew in five mn
utes that there would be no change.
And every one took his tone from Ste
phcn. We were treated very muc, like
two children who had been forgiven,