St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-07-14

superior charms, my darling led me with
triumphant air to the mirror.
l looked, and almost failed TO recognize
myself in the radiant vision that confronted
me there.
/ was glad looked well for Estelle'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 con-
Guiding Of the arrangements in my mex
perienced hands, aided by the old lady,
Estele'S aunt, whose eyes were unclOuded
by tears, for, unlike myself. she haG the
prospect of seeing and being with her be-
loved neice before very great while, it
having been decided that Belvoir should be
closed or rented, and that Miss Carleton
should go to her niece's new home.
A few days later found me back at the
academy. There is saying that one we'd
ding makes another, and it is certainly true
in some cases, Of which mine was one.
l little thought. as, the evening of the
wedding day, Mr.. Meade's best man made
his adieuX to return to his own home, that
before a month was out l should see him
again. Not alone that, but should be sought
by him.
L had known from the first that / had adj
mired him exceedingly. had noted the
noble, kingly grandeur of his bearing. and
the intelligence and manlineSS that beamed
forth from his soulful eyes; but l had never
imagined that my dark face had found IA
vOr in those same eyes.
-Four months went swiftly by. l lived as
one in a dream, enjoying the present and
not daring to look forward to the awaken
ing that must inevitably come.
Surprises blissful and profound, followed
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 l had an ordeal to go through, and l
trembled and turned cold as thought what
must be its issue.
That he was very proud of his 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 L
had seen so often in other eyes, but which
would be the keeneSt torture from his?
Il cannot say yes TO your suit" l said to
him, for | am not the one upon whom you
should bestOw your honorable name. Ny
father, years ago. was convicted of robbing
his employers of a very large amount He
was imprisoned and died i'm confinement a
few years later. | was then left bereft of
both parents and home. To bear as best |
might, the burden of a disgrace that though
L 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 fOrlOm state and offered me a
home; and it was at the academy that L met
EStelle Carleton, and, through her, You. L
should have told you this before. l have
attempted TO, but | could not"
While L stood there. pale and grave. with
dOwncast eyes, l suddenly felt myself drawn
close into warm embrace.
WAS it SO hard TO speak because you
cared for me. Marcia? But wait before you
you answer until tell you that long before
| knew you / had heard your sad story. of
how your youth and happiness had been
blighted, and of how molly and courageously
you had borne yourself amid misfortnes
that would have crushed a weaker spirit 10
the earth. My Darlington will let me
call you SO?-when l first saw you and your
loneliness stole into my heart the love that
then and there sprung into being was all
the stronger and more intense for the pity
that mingled with it. Now, look up, Mar
Ella, my darling, and give me the assurance
l 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 a woman
more blessed than l, or deeper gloom sue
ceeded by brighter sunshine? And to
Estelle, sweet Estelle. whose name my eld
est daughter bears, owe it all.
We are near neighbors and warmer friends,
| if that were possible. than ever; and so,
with clOudless sky of happiness above my
head, and hold dear about me, bid you,
kind reader, farewell.