The Mineral argus., 1885-04-30


day, spinster. for her and her heirs for |
ever. / must state here that ] opposed |
as strongly as thought right Stephens |
gift of SO. 900, and his subsequent out |
lay Of 81 900 on furniture. but both I'M
Gle and aunt said that the settlement |
was small enough for man of his |
means, and that it would he affectation |
to oppose il. And really Stephen man.
ag.i the whole affair with such fatherly |
&Jnjness and thoughtfulncss that
could not bear to oppose him.
At length the wedding day drew near. |
II had been arranged for Wednesday
morning, and we were to leave for New
York Immediately after the ceremony.
Cousin Jose who had prepared himself
to look down on all the world from the
pulpit was to perform tho ceremony.
This showed in Jose very forgiving
spirit, seeing that he had once looked
on me end my $25 900 with affection,
and had not appreciated the honor.
However, he forgave me at this inter-
esting epoch. aud came bcnignly to
bless my venture. He brought mo Is .
present black onyx seal ring, on which
was set cross in eed-pearls. He had
offered me il once before, with his A.
fections and his manse, and had then
refused il. took it this time.
Il helped to swell the list Of my pres
ents, and they certainly made good
~ show. First there was the Stamford
estate from my father and Stephen
Barker, and the settled bill for 81 900
worth OF new furniture, which Stephen
had sent to make the old rooms look
pretty and comfortable. Uncle gave
mo o set Of silver, and amt some fine
china, both OF which gifts took care to
send to Stamford before my wedding
day. My cousins and sunts and friends
gave me all sorts of jewelry and pretty
personal knicknncks, and these care
fully packed in a half-dOzen trunks
which were already corded and directed
tao days before the marriage day.
For Stephen had proposed to send
all my trunks to our New York hotel
two days before we left, in order that
we might have no concern about them,
and that might lie sure to have all
wanted on my arrival. opposed this
plan at first, but aunt said it was "em-
inently proper and thoughtful" So
all my wardrobe except my wedding
dress and travelling SUIT arrived ct the
9Th avenue hotel, New York, on the
last day OF my maiden life.
Norman Strong called that night and
was in remarkably high spirits. He
wished me every happiness, and was
very attentive to Malvinn. Aunt thought
his behavior charming-so unselfish-
and was very we'll satisfied with it.
II shall call you about So'clOck, Fran.
ces," said my aunt, as babe her good
| 81 uA1,o hnsv 1pacoop M q .20
said: Every we'll, aunt" and went
to my room. The first thing l did was
to pack my wedding dress in as small
compass as possible, and then put on
my travelling costume. This done, l sat
down in the dark. About one O'Clock I
heard the signal watched for. went
softly down stairs, unlocked tho back
door and walked out. Norman was
there. We did not speak I'M
til We were outside the grounds.
There buggy waited. and we
drove rapidly to o main line about
three miles off. Here We caught the
2 o'clock express, and were safe in New
York and very respectfully married at
10 o'clock. My trunks, which had ar
rived the day before, were then re-di-
rected for Washington, and after de-
licious 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 8 o'clock, and then,
Uncle Miles sent word at once to Steph.
en- Barker, who secluded himself for
that day entirely. My aunt and cous-
ms chagrin and disappointment we're
| vorv Urnat. in fact when I si.leres1
the amount of coincidence and gossip
they would have to endure felt that
for all the Sights AMI scorns of my un.
loved girlhood could cry quits. And
I had got my fortune also, and Norman
and were so completely happy! We
had not o 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 obeycd him implic-
lily.
During that month things settled
down little. / did not expect to be
forgiven all at once, and was not but
then / was in q 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 ct
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 excellent supper waiting. The next
morning Norman went back to his desk,
and Stephen took no moro notice OF his
return than if he had never left it.