The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-04-03

Barker disapproval was out Of the ques.
ton. Stephen was the great man and
the good man of our small town. To
have insinuated that Stephen was not
worthy of a saint, beauty and an
heiress united would have been heresy
seriously affecting my uncle's social and
commercial standing. Stephen Bark
er's offer was therefore accepted, and the
next Sunday We walked to church to-
gether.
After this public avowal of our inten:
tons che marriage was considered in
evitable by every person but me: I
must do myself the justice to state that
I never regarded my engagement to
Stephen seriously, it was part of . plan
to secure my happiness and rights: And
as Stephen fully conceded in it I do not
expect censurs from any else.
think it was no later than the third
night after Stephen had spoken to my
uncle that I frankly told him that I
thought 1 ought not to marry him. He
asked me why, and I said, Gail my
life long. Stephen, I have been . crush
ed, unhappy girl. I have been afraid
to speak, or laugh. or sing and no one
but Norman Strong ever said kind
word to me until you came"
and you love Norman?" he asked
bluntly. -
So I answered: ayes, Hove him and
he loves me, and when he got the posi-
ton of cashier in your bank he wanted
to marry ME. but uncle said We were
neither of us to be trusted with nv
s25 ,0OO."
$50 you have SIS, OOO."
"Papa left me that much; but Uncle
Miles can keep it until am thirty five,
unless marry to please him, or unless
he is SO satisfied of my good sense that
he voluntarily gives it up TO me. He
will never do that"
Stephen was silent . long time aud
then he said, little sadly: "You are q
good girl to be 80 honest with me. If
your uncle could I've made to give up
your little fortune do you think you
could use it wisely?"
Il could-with Norman to help me.
Then We had b long conversation,
which it is not necessary for me to re-
peat; it will be understood by what fol.
lows. There was no change apparently
between Stephen and L He behaved
exactly as lover of his age and charac-
ter would be likely to behave. He
sent Aunt presents from his lighthouses,
and he made me presents Of pretty jew
elry. He spent the evenings ct Uncle
Miles house, and sometimes We were
left alone together, and sometimes We
went out for walk. Norman came to
me occasionally on Sunday night, and
my aunt said he had really behaved
with more good sense than she expected.
think she thought that If I married
! the banker it might not be bad thing
for my Cousin Malvins, who was very
plain, to marry the bankers cashier.
Everything went on with the greatest
propriety. / had announced my inten-
ton to have m extraordinary trousseau,
and this being point on which aunt
could feel with me, the next four
months were pleasantly spent in shop
ping and sewing. Never in our little
town had there been seen such dozens
of elegantly trimmed undergarments,
such lingerie, such hosiery, such morn
ing dresses and evening costumes, such
wonderful boots and slippers and jew
elry. We held little receptions every
afternoon month before the wedding,
and my wardrobe was laid out in the
best bedroom for comment and inspec-
ton.
1t was about this time that Stephen
Darker said to my uncle: II under
stand Frances has $25, 900. I wish her
to have it SO settled on herself, aud for
her own absolute use. that I propose,
Mr.. Miles, if you are willing, to add
$40 900 to it, and buy for her the SIAM
ford estate. It is only three miles from
here, the house is very fine one, the
land excellent, and then, whatever
changes come, it secures her q compe-
tencv, for rs soon IS the railway is fin.
ished it will be worth double. What do
You say?"
II think your offer extremely gener.
Gus, Mr.. Barker, and of course for such
q purpose am willing to hand over to
you at once Frances fortune. The in
terest has been applied TO her own use
always. Will you look at the accounts 2"
"Your word is sufficient, Mr.. Miles.
So in about two weeks the transfer
was safely and amicably effected and
Stamford Hall and estate were firmly
and surely made over to Frances Halli-
day, spinster, for her and her heirs for
ever. must state here that ] opposed
as strongly a. thought right Stephens
gift of SIC, ZOO, and his subsequent out
lay of 81, 900 on furniture. but both un-
Gle and aunt said that the settlement
was small enough for . man of his
means. and that it would be sfectation
to oppose il. And really Stephen man.
aged the whole affair with such fatherl5
kindness and thoughtfulness that
could not bear to oppose him.
At length the wedding day drew near.
It had been arranged for Wednesday
morning, and we we're 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 the ceremony.
This showed in Jose q very forgivine
spirit, seeing that he had once looked
on me end my $25, 900 with affection
and l had not appreciated the honor
However, he forgave me ct this inter.
esting epoch. aud came bcnignly Il
bless my venture. He brought me Is Z
present black onyx seal ring, on which
was set cross in seed pearls. He had
offered me it once before, with his af-
fections and his manse, and had then
refused it. took it this time.
1t helped to swell the list of my pres.
ente, and they certainly made good
ly show. First there was the Stamford
estate from my father and Stephen
Barker, and the settled bill for 81 ,OOC
worth of new furniture, which Stephen
had sent to make the old rooms lool
pretty and comfortable. Uncle gave
me q set Of silver, and aunt some fine
china, both of which gifts took care tc
send to Stamford before my wedding
day. Ny cousins and cunts and friends
gave me ell sorts Of jewelry and pretty