The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-11-06

marriage out Of ones stdti0n seldom
confers lasting happiness.
The marriage took place. but Lucy
did not attend it. Howe took his bride
away for the wedding tour, and, finding
30 much enjoyment where, as no one
knew anything about Norah's anteced-
ents she could not be exposed 10 sights,
and ell did homage to her beatlty and
grace; their stay wis prolonged indehn-
itely.
Lucy had never seen Norah, as her
old housekeeper had returned to- her
place the week previous to her own ar
rival at home, and she had declined
Howe's proposal to bring his fiancee to
the house to introduce her.
A few months after, she received .
note from him; accompanied by sealed
package.
dear COUSIN LUCY" wrote Howe
flor so ] shall always call you, al
though you have crossed me OFT your
good books-1 herewith send tangible
excuse for What you consider my folly.
Look upon the pictured fate-which
does not do full justice to the original
and acknowledge that you have for
once been harsh Judge. Iassure you
it is the index of fine nature, which is
daily developing into luxuriant
growth of goodness, and whose posses
sor is one of earth's most gifted souls in
more ways than mere personal beau
ty. If you should conclude to
come abroad I hope you will
let 'bygones be bogones,' and come
and join us. COUSIN HOWE"
"The glamour still LASTS" thought
Lucy, as she removed the wrapping
paper from the picture.
But she wondered no longer when at
last her eyes rested upon it.
It was taken in what was evidently q
bridal dress, for orange blossoms were
fastened in the soft lace which hoated
in transparent folds around the exquis-
tie face and form.
It was not q rich costume, but its
simplicity rendered it the more evident
that its wearer needed no glimmer of
silk or satin to add to her queenship
in the ranks of womanly beauty.
AS Lucy noticed the absence Of rich
accessories in Norah's dress she re-
called some words spoken by Howe
which had brought at the time scorn-
full smile to her lips.
"Norah is stubborn about one thing,
Lucy" he said. "She Will not accept
q gift of me unless it be of flowers. I
would like to buy her something costly
and unique for her bridal robe, but she
will not let me- I tell her it is all
nonsense, when she will so soon own
me, and all of my worldly goods into
the bargain"
These words arose and floated through
Lucy's mind now, as though to
prove that the fair, patrician looking
face before her was conscious of q
heaven born right to hold as proudly to
her ideas of right and propriety as any
lady in the land.
Il do not wonder at Howe's hulluci-
nation after seeing picture of his wife"
she said, a few hours later to an intimate
friend. IF she is as beautiful as she is
represented, man might we'll lose his
senses about her."
Lucy occasionally heard from Vim
cent FARMLAND in an indirect way
now through mutual acquaintance, or
again by some newspaper notice of him.
He had finished his law studies, and
was working industriously at his pro-
fession.
The last newspaper paragraph with
regard to him had chr onicled the fact
that he had been retained upon an i'm
portant suit, and had taken passage up
on the steamer Cambria to 20 abroad
for needful evidence.
Mrs. General Clermont, the same
lady who had chaperoned Lucy at
Saratoga Springs, had long contemplate
ed a European tour, and some three
years after Howe's marriage she carried
ont her intentions.
Lucy went with her. At laSt she saw
the realization of her girlish dreams of
rambling amid historic scenes.
Ali was new and interesting; but one
thing seemed strange to Lucy. At home
Mrs. General Clermont was one of the
leaders of society. Her movements
were heralded by the reporters, and her
dresses at the numerous receptions and
parties "honored by her presence" were
described much in the same way that
the court journal discusses the doings of
the royal family and of the charmed cir
Gle surrounding Them. But abroad
she was as little noticed as the hum
blest.
Her great wealth, however, was
useful in procuring her every COM
fort and luxury; and daily did her
glossy coated carriage horses draw
her beautifully appointed equipage
along the most approved haunts of
aristocracy and fashion.
They were often accompanied by Mrs.
Mordaunt, member of the American
colony in Paris, who had been stopping
in London long enough to become
versed in society gossip, and to know
celebrities when she saw them.
One day they were driving leisurly
along when carriage passed with the
ducal strawberry leaves upon it's panels.
Mrs. Mordaudt called her companions
attention to it's occupants by a signifi-
cant gesture.
LOOK" she said in an undertone; II
will tell why afterward.
They obeved and saw dignified
looking matron, dressed in black vel
vet and respondent with brilliants,
with younger lady occupying the seat
beside her.
The latter was in white, with bunch
of half opened jacqueminot roses in her
hand, and another fastened at ner
breast by diamond studded arrow.
What a charming face! And where
have seen it," asked Lucy in quiet
way.
1T is one of the faces fashionable
people have raving about" answered
Mrs. Mordaunt; the lady is Mrs. Mer-
vyn- Crandall. They call her by the
romantic name of Rose of Erin,' and
she is of Irish descent. There is a story
connected with her which adds to the
interest her beauty excites. She comes
OF a fine old family on her mothers side,
and through her has just inherited
fortune, which was secured
to her by the researches of a young
American lawyer. Her companion is