The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-11-05
pearls, He had offered me II once before,

nhu then refused IL, TOOK IL this time,
II helped to swell the list of my presents
and they certainly made q goodly show
First, there was the Stamford estate from
my father and Stephen Barker, and the
settled bills for 81 900 worth of new furni
turo which Stephen had sent to make the
old rooms pretty and comfortable. Uncle
gave me a set Of silver, and aunt some
fine china, both Of which gifts took care
to send to Stamford before my wedding
day. My cousins and aunts and friends
gave me all sorts of jewelry and pretty
personal knickknacks, and these l care
fully packed in he half-dozen trunks
which were alreaG corded and directed
two days before the marriage day.
For stephen had proposed to send all
my trunks to or New York hotel two
days before we LEI in order that we might
have no concern out them, and that
might be sure 10 We all wanted on my
arrival. l opposed this plan at first but
aunt said it was eminently proper and
thoughtful" So all my wardrobe, except
my wedding-dress and a travelling suit, ar
rived at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, New
York on the last day of my maiden
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 unselfish-and / was also
very well satisfied with it.
shall call you about o'clock, Fran
ces, said my aunt, as babe her good
night; :" the hairdresser comes at $780,
said: Very well, aunt" and went to
pack my wedding dress in as small COM
pass as possible, and then put on my trav.
cling costume. This done l sat down in
the dark. About l o'clock l heard the
signal watched for. l went softly down
stairs, unlocked the back door and walked
out. Norman was there. We did not
speak until we were outside the grounds.
There the buggy waited, and we drove
rapidly to main line about three miles
express, and were safe in New York and
very respectfully married by 10 o'clock.
My trunks, which had arrived the day be-
fore, Were then redirected for Washinge
ton, and after delicious little wedding
breakfast-all by ourselves-we left for
that city.
In the meantime there was trouble
enough in Milford. Our flight was not
discovered till near s o'clock, and then
Uncle Miles sent word at once to Stephen
Barker, who secluded himself for that
day entirely. My aunt and cousins
chagrin and disappointment were very
great; in fact, when l considered the
amount of coincidence and gossip they
would have to endure l felt that for all
the Sights and scorns of my unloved girl.
hood | could cry quits. And had got my
fortune also, and Norman and l were so
completely happy! We had not care, for
Stephen had given him $500 bill and
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. did not expect to be forgiven
all at once, and was not; but then was
In position not to worry particularly
about it. We returned very quietly after
dark one night, very much like two
children who have played truant all day
and creep home ut nightfall with as little
ostentation as possible.
But at Stamford Hall everything had
been prepared for my comfort The fires
were blazing, the gas lighted, and an ex-
cellent supper waiting. The next morn
ing Norman went back to his desk, and
Stephen took no more notice of his return
than if he had never left it. People who
had been specializing about his losing his
position knew i'll five minutes that there
would be no change. And every one took
his tone from Stephen. We were treated
very much like two children who had
been forgiven, and whose fault was not
to be thrown up to them.
That was the way the men took it, and
Norman pretended to be satisfied. The
women acted with a great deal more in
telligence. They all came to see me, and
though did not give them all credit for
the very kindeSt of motives | made them
all welcome. told them about my we'd
ding trip, and showed them my new
things, and l dare say the men talked
everything over with them afterward.
But what most puzzled everybody was
that Stephen Barker came so often to see
us, and was so friendly with Norman.
Some thought it very mean-spirited in
him, and others remembered that when
he was very young he loved my mother
dearly. Even those who spoke kindly of
him did not give him credit for half the
noble unselfishness he had shown: for he
would not let me tell any one that it was
he himself who had planned everything
about my property and my wedding.
"Just let. them say you Tilted me,
Frances, if they please to do so. We know
better, and we win keep our secret until
Uncle Miles comes round"
Aunt and uncle both came round sooner
than we expected. When it was known
that Stephen spent so much of his time
with us Aunt Miles considered the adj
vantages of having her daughters
brought familiarly in connection with
him, and for their sakes she came to
see llc anu gave illc lllc Mss Oh recOnCllla-
ton
But as far as catching Stephens heart
ain the rebound" was concerned, she was
Just little too late. Norman's sister,
who was teacher in one of the public
schools of New York, came to spend her
vacation with us, and Stephen fell in love
with her in a way that convinced me that
his love for Frances Halliday had onIv
been the shadow of the love he had for
her mother. Why, Norman himself never
behaved more foolishly about me than
Stephen about this little plain Ruth Strong:
for she is plain-every one must allow
that.
And the preparations that are going ON
for the marriage quite amuse me, who
might have been the bankers wife myself
Dear me, think Love must laugh at the
kind of people he comes in contact with,
But hope Stephen will be happy | do
indeed.
That is all have to say about my mar
rage | think it was rather peculiar.
Some women will doubtless say they don't
believe such men as Stephen exist. But
let girl, when she discovers she does not
like man, tell him so and ask his advice
and help, and ten to one she will find an
other Stephen. How can men be chiyal
rous and self-denying if women don't give
them opportunities? think that is wrong.
and intend to give Norman every chance
to cultivate such noble qualities.