The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-02-28
A WEDDING RECEPTION.

"Just what I expected" said Miss
Delavigue mournfuliy.
She was sitting out on the balcony,
where the mignonette and aston were all
arj1aze Of vivid color, to enjoy tlle~sun
set; but she didn't enjoy it any more,
after Muriade Vail had told her the
news. There was band playing in the
little park, whose green grass. and spark
ling fountain formed such a. pretty liv-
ing picture, but she did not hear its
music any longer.
Married." said Miss Delavigue, lift
ing her hands and drawing sepulchral
sigh married" Does the whole world
think, and dream, and trouble itself
about nothing else?
"Pm very sorry, aunt, " said Muriade;
"but-"
No, you are not" said Miss Della
vigue. "Don't begin at this late day, to
tell me falsehoods."
~ don't mean that I'm sorry because
I've promised to marry Tom" said Mu-
riade, with bright spot on each cheek
"because that would be a falsehood.
No, indeed, Pm not sorry, but | mean
I'm vexed to disappoint you, aunt"
Muriade Vale was a dark, Spanish
eyed girl, with brows like two perfect
arches; red, cherry-cleft mouth, and
the most rougish of dints, scarcely large
enough to be dignifed with the name OF
dimple, that came and went in 4 capri
cious fashion in her chin She stood,
with folded hands and head slightly
dropped, before the prim, elderly lady,
whose black silk dress resolved itself into
such perfect folds, and whose iron gray
curls hung so precisely on either side Of
her face.
Didn't take you when seven years
old, and bring you up as young lady
should be brought up? sadly demanded
Miss Delavigue.
eyes, aunt"
"And haven't had you educated at
Mademoiselle Melisse's with extra piano
lessons, and your voice cultivated at two
dollars lessonl" went on the old lady
"Yes, aunt, confessed Muriade.
"And, severely went on the catechist,
"just as you were getting to be a real
companion for me, in my advancing
years, you forgot all this and run off
with-Tom Whitworth"
haven't run off with him, aunt Z
flashed out Muriade, scarcely knowing
whether to laugh or TO cry.
But you would il You couldn't wiring
a consent from me. You know you
would, said Miss Dclavigue. YOU'D
scramble down ladder, or climb out OF
a fourth-story window
Il love him, aunt" said Muriade ear.
: nestly; ''and he loves me-"
Rubbish?" said aunt Delavigue
, with an energy that nearly tipped her
eyeglasses from her Roman nose. YOU
mean that he loves your expectations
! He loves the idea Of inheriting my
! money and this brown-stone house an6
! all the shares in the Mexican silve1
mines. That's the beginning and tn,
end of It'll"
" Never, aunt!" cried poor Muriade
" That's WELL" grimly pronounced
Miss Delavigue, because I've my owl
n ideas on the subject. / don't know tina
i I'm at all too old to marry myself"
y $ Aunt" exclaimed Muriade in sur
d prise.
e :" Why not?" said Miss Delavigue. "
1t suppose there can be old fools as we'll a
& young ones"
le "But," pleaded Muriade, care you i
If earnest@
d "Why shouldn't be in earnestT'
N Aunt" burst out Muriade, s'is !
is Major darlington? Is it? Oh, / kno,
he 1t Isl And oh, aunt, dear, / do so hop
to you will be happy! And Major Larkin,
G. ton is perfectly splendid since he &c
h his false teeth; only, aunt, those tediou
y stories OF his about the war in Florida
nc won't you get tired of them, if you wer
- Obliged to hear them every dayT
Miss Delavigue looked in some be
plexitty at her niece She supposed this
this hint would have filled Muriad
with dismay and Disappointment; but o
NJ the contrary that young damsel appeare
ed TO accept the idea as the most naturs
nd thing in the world And Tom Viii
tie worth, CHANGING, entirely by accident. ,
by course, to come in just about that tim,
Oh conceded in Muriade's view of affai
it. entirely.
tx The lolliest thing / ever heard Of
'ir declared Tom, who was fair-comple,
IN Toned young Saxon, with curly yello
locks, blonde moustache and supel
which latter was fortunate Il
cumstance, because Tom Whitworth ",
always laughing ''Its regular mi,
dle-aged romance"
as II dare say said Miss Delayisu
nd primly. "But what do you saw 10 som
lat body else getting all my money?''
he Dear metz said Tom Iiftinr \
I'M blonde brows. 'Tt was Muriade I Wan
Cd, not your money, Miss Delavigu