The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-11-05
MY WEDDING.

how Cupid managed to send Stephen
Barker after me l never could find out ;
out that is between themselves, and is
none of my business. A man good enough
1or Elizabeth and Janet, and all such
ornaments to their SEX to lay his honest
heart at my foolish little feet! Town that
Tor day or two the honor almost turned
my head
Then | began to consider. I had loved
Norman Strong ever since could remem-
Der, and Norman had been my friend
when no one said kind word to me.
Inc case stood thus: was an orphan, left
10 the care of an uncle and aunt remark
able for that kind of propriety that wins
our admiration and awakens our hearty
desire to get away from it. had small
fortune of $4,000; that is, was to have it
II l remained unmarried until l was
thirty-five, or, if l married before, with
my uncle's approval.
Now, uncle did not approve of Norman.
In TACT, uncle never approved of any one
That l liked. But with Stephen Barker
dlsapproval was cut of the question.
Stephen Barker was the great man and
good man of our small town. To have in
simulated that Stephen was not worthy of
saint, beauty, and heress united,
would have been hereSy seriously affect
ing my uncle's social and commercial
standing. Stephen Bankers offer was
therefore accepted, and the next Sunday
we walked to church together
After this public avowal of our inten-
sions the marriage was considered inevi-
table by every person but me. l must do
myself the justice to say that l never re-
garded my engagement to Stephen
seriously; it was part of plan to secure
my happiness and rights. And as Stephen
fully conceded in it do not expect CEN
sure from any else.
l think it was no later than the third
night after Stephen had spoken to my
uncle that l frankly told him that l
thought l ought not to marry him, He
asked me why and | said: "All my life
long, Stephen, have been crushed, I'M
happy girl. 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. eyes, love him, and
he loves me, and when he got the position
of cashier in your bank he wanted to
marry me- but uncle said we were neither
of us to be trusted with my SO, OOo.''
$50 you have sos 600"
Papa left me that much but Uncle
Miles can keep it until am thirty-five,
unless j 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, and then
he said a little sadly: you are good
girl to be so honest with me. II your
uncle could be made to give up your little
fortune, do you think you could use it
wisely ?"
81 could-with Norman to help me.n
Then we had a long conversation, which
1t is not necessary for me to repeat: it
will be understood by what follows
There was no change apparently between
Stephen and l. He behaved exactly as q
lover of his age and character would be
likely to behave. He sent aunt presents
from the hot-houses, and he made me
evenings at Uncle Miles house, and
sometimes we were alone together, and
sometimes we went out for a walk. Nor
man came to me occasionally on a Sunday
night, and my aunt said he had really be-
haved with more good sense than she
expected. l think she thought that if
married the banker it might not be n Ind
thing for my Cousin Malvina, who was
very plain, to marry the bankers cashier
Everything went on with the greatest
propriety. / had announced my intention
to have an extraordinary trOusseau. and
this being point ON which aunt could
feel with me, the next four months were
pleasantly spent in shopping and sewing
Never in our little town had there been
undergarments, such lingerie, such
hosiery, such morning dresses and even
ing costumes, such wonderful boots and
slippers and jewelry. We held little re-
ceptions every afternoon month before
the wedding, and my wardrobe was laid
out in the best bedroom for comment and
inspection.
1t was about this time that Stepbep
Barker said to my uncle: =" / understand
Frances has $25,OOO. Iwish her to have if 81
settled on herself and for her own absolute
use, that / propose, Mr.. Miles, if YOU are
willing, to add $4,000 to it, and buy fer her
the Stamford estate. 1t is only three miles
from here, the house is very fine one, the
land excellent, and then whatever changes
come, 1t secures her competency, for as
soon as the railway is finished il will be
worth double. What do you say?''
s. think your offer extremely generous.
Mr. Barker, and of course for such pur-
pose am willing to hand over to YOU at
once Frances fortune. The interest has
been applied to her own use always. viii
you look at the accounts?"
Your word is sufficient, Mr. Miles"
SO ia about two weeks the transfer was
safely and amicably effected, and Stamford
Hall and estate We're firmly and surely
made over to Frances Halliday, spinster.
for her and her heirs forever must state
here that opposed as strongly as thought
right Stephens gift of SO. 600, and his sub
sequent outlay of 81 600 on furniture; but
both uncle and aunt said that the settle
ment was small enough for a man of his
means and that it would be affectation to
oppose it. And really Stephen managed
the whole affair with such fatherly kind
ness and thoughtfulness that could not
bear 70 oppose him.
AT length the wedding day drew near.
1t has been arranged fog Wednesday MORN
ing 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 the ceier:ony. This show
ed in Jose very forgiying spirit, seeing
that he had once looked on me and my
SIS, 900 with affection, and / had not ap-
preciated the honor. However, he for
gave me at this interesting epoch, and
came benignly to bless my venture. He
brought me as present black oynx seal
ring, on which was set cross in seed