The Washington critic., 1885-06-06

of happiness upon her check and its light
speaking so eloquently from her thought
fu blue eve
My own dress was white also, but cnm-
son roses, fastened there by Estelle's own
loving fingers, nestled among the laccs at
my throat and BOSOM and formed the
bouquet in my hand
ooh, Marcia, how beautiful YOU look
That touch of vivid color is just what you
need TO set off your dark hair and eyes.
See for yourself" and, unmindful of her
own superior charms, my darling led me
with triumphant air to the mirror.
] looked, and almost failed to recognize
myself in the radiant vision that con
fronted me there.
was glad | looked well for Estclle's
sake.
The solemn words had all been uttered
the congratulations given and the supper
eaten, and, amid shower of slippers and
rice, Estelle and her husband had been
whirled away, leaving the harmonious
concluding of the arrangements in my in
experienced hands, aided by the old lady,
Estelles aunt, whose eyes were unCloudcd
by tears, for, unlike myself she had the
prospect of seeing and being with her be-
loved niece before very great while, il
having been decided that Belvoir should
be closed or rented, and that Miss Carleton
should 20 to her niece's new home.
A few days later found me back at the
academy. There is "a saying that one
wedding makes another, and it Is certainly
true in some cases, of which mine was
one.
j little thought as, the evening of the
wedding day, Mr.. Meade's best man made
his adieuX to return to his home, that be-
fore month was out | should see him
again. Not alone that, but should be
sought by him.
] had known from the first that had
admired him exceedingly. ] had noted
the noble, kingly grandeur of his bearing
and the intelligence and manliness that
beamed forth from his soulful eyes; but
had never imagined that my dark face
had found favor in those same eyes.
-Four. months went swiftly by. lived
as one in q dream, enjoying the present
awakening that must inevitably come.
Surprises, blissful and profound, fol-
lowed one after another, to eliminate at
length in a greater than all, when Donald
Argyle laid his heart at my feet, imploring
me, by accepting it, to make of him the
happiest of men.
Before | could give him the answer he
craved had an ordeal to go through and
] trembled and turned cold as | Thought
what must be its issue.
That he was very proud ofhis unstained
honor and ancient name and lineage !
well knew.
What, then, would he say when he
heard what had tried to tell him before,
but had always failed to do through sheer
lack of courage and dread of the look of
aversion had seen so often in other eyes,
but which would be the keenest torture
from his?
81 cannot say yes to your suit" ! said
to him, "for ! am not the one upon whom
you should bestow your honorable name.
~ nNyipf # ooh
bling his employers ola very large amount.
He was imprisoned and died in conline-
ment few years later. | was then left
bereft of both parents and home, to bear,
as best ! might, the burden of disgrace
that, though was young, was felt in all
its bitterness to the full. 1t was then that
Madame Dupoy, who had known and
loved my mother, took pity upon my for
lorn state and offered me a home; ana it
was at the academy that | met Estelle
Carleton, and, through her, you. | should
have told you this before, have at
tempted to, but could not"
While ] stood there, pale and grave,
with downcast eyes, | suddenly felt my
self drawn close into warm embrace
Was it so hard TO speak because you
cared for me, Marcia? But wait before
you answer until | tell you that long be.
fore knew you | had heard your sad
story, of how your youth and happiness
ilb'i DN'I bilSlItcNi, anu vi HOW IODlN una
courageous you had borne yourself amid
mistortunes that would have crushed n
weaker spirit to the earth. My darling
you will let me call you so?--when first
| saw you and your loneliness stole into my
| heart, the love that then and there sprung
| into being was sail the stronger and more in
| tense for the pity that mingled with it.
| Now, look up, Marcia, my darling, and
| give me the assurance | long for, that
mine may be the privilege to atone in the
future for all the pain your past has
known"
This is my love story. Was ever wo-
man more blessed than |, or deeper gloom
succeeded by brighter sunshine? And to
Estelle, sweet Estcllc, whose name my eld-
est daughter bears, | owe ii all.
We are near neighbors and warmer
friends, if that were possible, than ever;
and so, with a cloudless sky of happiness
above my head and all hold dear about
me, ] bid you, kind reader, FAREWELL
Exchange