The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1884-02-09
CHAPTER Nv.
"a mourning or q funeral,
A nahdlnH nTA fraIIrnIN

FAANfh ~ y SUN
One afternoon. close upon Christmas.
Margaret Darlington sat by herself In
her dawing-room nj ~Beckbridge Abbey,
and abandoned herself TO her rollec-
lions, which were Of anything but an
agreeable nature.
II was n cold. dark day. Winter had
set in early after q short and stormy
autumn. A hard, black frost had
bound tho earth In letters ~ iron. The
sky was like a mOurnful gay pail foot
steps rang upon the hard earth; aud
skaters In warm bright costumes
ihronged all the available ponds. Mar
garei was In no outdoor attire. She
was just then adorned with n splcndor
and In a festive style which III accorded
with the hour OF the day or with her
own frame Of mind. A dress OF velvet
and satin. costly lace falling about her
neck and wrists. Jewels on her bosom,
bracelets on her arms all bctokcncd
that somc fcsiiyily either had happened
or was about ~ come of. Indeed. that
which had taken place that morning
had been n wedding Marion perciyal's
wedding, which Margaret had resolved
should be from her house.
She had carried out her resolution.
The bride had been only too pleased 10
be married with eeldi from Miss Bar
ringion's house, Tho bridegroom had
displayed no unwillingness. Perhaps
he had felt somewhat at Miss Barring
tons mercy; ho could not quite have
forgotten a scene which had taken place
between him and her. one night In MAY,
BY the light Of the stars and Of tho
Chinese lanterns. IN Mr.. Pierce's gar.
den. lie that A. II may, he had yielded.
with overy appearance Of good grace
and the wedding had been q brilliant. II
a small one; aud though Marion Perci-
val had looked very pretty. very charm
Ing aud very pcnsive In her brides at.
tire. Margaret harrington had booked
every inch the Lady Of the Manor. the
splendid hostess. the first lady OF the
occasion. The bride and bridegroom
had started OF their travels almost i'm.
Immediately after tho wedding break.
fast Margaret was not giving any
evening party. and the last 81 the moi
,ery numerous guests had departed
scarcely half an hour ago. The invalid,
Miss Perrlvai. had gone 10 her room u
rest, aud was not lhelyto appear again
that evening.
Margaret had one other yisltor-Tou
Pierre. namely-who had come TO spens
his Christmas holidays with her. sine,
she declined 10 spend hers with his faith.
er aud mother and their family nj Irk,
fotd. Tom was al that momen, on, o
doors. After having made n second an,
. highly successful speech ut tho wnd,
Ing breakfast. he had FASTENED out, an,
was now disporiing himself on one o
The ponds before spoken Of. and wa. no
likely o. return TO the house. until IN,
Irresistible mandates Of hunger shoul'
summon him 10 dinner.
Miss Harrington had left Blackfor,
Grange two days after her bitter quar-
nj with Louis Baldwin. Untll now shl
had contriyed TO keep herself so busy
50 constantly occupled-as 10 leave n
time 10 give 10 reflections upon the past
Now. In amomentof sudden loneliness
perhaps also Of ungusricdness-It al
rushed suddenly over her; h~w she Ia,
gune Into the HOUSE on that miserable
afternoon. after parting v N Louis. ha,
J scare waited 70 have her wetthing. 70
moved In her impatlcnee 10 see Mr.,
Lascclles, and tell her all. Implorin,
. that lady 10 forgive her. u not fof Ne
own sakc. then for Rupert'a. She Ia
told hrA Lsscelles Of her weary An
dissatisfied life amidst hcr unronrsnis
surroundings; she told. without reveal
2 ing names, d Maurice Bihdulph's one
TO her. and how Its coldness' and NJ
; evident desire 10 have her because Al
4 vas desirable heIfess and . woma
7 Of positioe. rather than the woman 4
loved. had tarned her heart cola. h
, ruused her into cYnicism. kad msds n
! r<pel hin and mock HIN. How shs h
eoue 70 NJ 6rnnke. ~ a e.. uIfh \
whole voeId. and h>r estip Ia. =
| kov Mrs. IAscelIunf eue vords ID n
- 6sneloeoly - ker ears; how ~ n
bud 1ker6 ~ and psar>. ssl Il
kao~a thAt ~ Iess wss ~ nnupna
- ~ ~ 49, oEues nm ur1nG
} u>1st Inoor5ou1o wisk ~ - =
28%