Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-01-29

trothal ring. Mr.. Smith White passion.
ately deplored his hard luck IN being
obliged to embark without snatching
one brief interview with his betrothed,
but his ship was sailing that night,
and he had no time to come down to
Norwood.
Miss Madison's circumstances hav-
ing undergone this startling change,
the position OF humble companioh,
even to lady of title, appeared in
appropriate to her. The Dowager
Lady Dumbledon, being appraised of
recent events, graciously released her
from her engagement, and, further
more, invited her to spend q few days
on friendly visit. Being kind old
lady, with romantic proclivities, the
dowager even gave the bride-elect
many pretty little presents, out OF
sheer benevolence toward girl about
to do so well for herself. 1t was
Madge's first realization of the great
truth, that to those who have Cor are
going to have) much, much shall be
given.
The months flew by. Each mail
brought long, loving letters from the
enamored SmithLWhite, who counted
the days when his hateful bust
ness should be accomplished, and
he should at last be able to return and
claim his bride He began to give del
icate and practical hints about the
trousseau necessary to be got together,
which he wished should beiit the posi-
ton which his dearest Madge would
occupy as his honored and cherished
wife. Let no scruples, he begged, on
the score of economy restrain her in
her preparations. The paying of the
bills would be matter for future con-
sideration between himself and Colonel
Madison. He particularly desired that
his wife should come TO him handsome
~ equipped for the round of country
house visits he meant to take her inn
mediately after the first few weeks of
the honeymoon was over. Miss Madi-
son, upon this, went to the best peo-
pie, and ere long had ordered trous-
seau of modest and recherche magnifi-
cence. The letters of her lover became
more ardent. He begged that the mar
riage might take place at Easter, when
he calculated he would have just
reached England. Let not false del
llC llIDlOlNu lllo utuItSl
prevent her acceding to, his wishes on
this point
Miss Madison had no false delsacy,
and the point was conceded EXpecta-
ton in the bosom of the little circle at
Norwood rose high for Mr.. Smith
White was on his way home via India.
whittier his miserable affairs dragged
him. In few weeks a letter came an
where he was just stopping en- PEASANT
to buy a few pretty tribes for his bride.
Then came break of three days in the
correspondence, followed by a letter
from an English friend of Mr.. Whites,
who had met him at his hotel, telling
of his sudden illness, brought on by
over-traveling and over-eXc,tement.
After this came n short telegram an
nouncing his death.
Terrible, terrible downfall of high
hopes. Was ever any girl so much to
be pitiedp Madge Madison turned white
to her very lips with the shock of the
news. She walked blindly out of the
room, up the shabby stairs, and, lock-
ing herself alone in her bedroom, sat
down to face the awful collapse OF her
bright expectations.
The next day brought some anchor
alton of the situation to Colonel Madi-
son, though his poor daughter could
hardly be expected as yet TO take COM
fort in II Tho sanna frinpd wrote tn
say that his unfortunate fellow-coun-
tryman's last act had been to sign q
hurriedly-prepared will, leaving every
thing he possessed to his betrothed
wife He had expressed a wish that
the whole Madison family should pro-
vide themselves with proper mourning,
and be present at his funeral, which
was to take place at Kensal green the
following Thursday. The writer stated
| that he was making all necessary ar
rangements, and should start for Lon
don with the remains that night.
The widowed bride-elect seemed
stunned by the extent of her misfortune
in losing thus cruelty the best and most
generous of men. Her plying sisters
procured her mourning, and their own,
from the same celebrated artists who
had executed the wedding order The
fabrics were of the richest. Severe and
elegant simplicity in woe is expensive;
but what of thatp Was this time to
haggle over the price of needful gar
n,artn 70 DO bGnor 20 the memory ~ q
| noble-hcarted benefactOrp
Thursday morning saw the whole
FAMILY arrayed in their sables ready to
set out on their mournful journey. A
coach from the nearest jobmGster' s,
the driver being in decent black, so as
to be in harmony with the melancholy
occasion pulled up at the door. The
four black-robed young figures, with
Colonel Madison, took their places in
it, Barbara sitting bodkin-her eyes
bright with excitement-for even 6
funeral was something to her, rs she
had but few distractions. They ar
/ rived punctual to the minute at thu
cemetery, and waited for the fun5ra
cortege TO appear. Time went On, bu
it did not come. One hour, two hour,
passed in anxious expectation, and still
the funeral Jagged strangely on thu
road. Colonel Madison interviewed
the officials. No notice of Mr.. Smith
Whites intended interment had beer
given: Other groups of black-robet
figures came weeping, buried thei
dead, and went away, and still tn
Colonel and his daughters fingered, un
willing to be accused hereafter of an,
lack of respect. Il cold, cutting north
easter whirled mocllingly amongst tn
headstones, seeming to deride ant
insult the mourners with its bite
cheerlessness. At length it became ap
parent to everyone that some mex
! cusable mistake had been made, ant
the uselessness of further waiting wa
obvious. Colonel Madison slowl
withdraw his little cohort from the field