The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-27
MY WEDDING.


ker after NE never could find out; but that
is between themselves, and is none of my
business. A man good enough for Elizabeth
and Janet, and all such ornaments to their
seq, to lay bis foolish heart at my foolish
little feet. / own that for day or two the
honor almost turned my head.
Then / be gan to consider. / had loved
Norman Strong ever since | could remember,
and Norman had been my friend when no
one ssid kind word to me. The case stood
thus: / was an orphan, eft to the care of an
uncle and aunt remarkable fo- that kind of
propriety that wins our admiration and
awakens our hearty desire to get away from
it. had small fortune OF SO coo; that is.
was to hsvs it il ed unmarried I'M
til 1 was thirty five, or, If married before,
with my uncle's approval.
Now, uncle did not approve of Norman.
In fact. uncle never approved of anyone
that liked. BIT with stephen Barker dis
approved was out of the question. Stephen
was the great man and the good man OF our
small town. To have insinusted that Ste
phen Was rot worthy OF saint, q beauty
and an hsiress united, would have been
here sy seriously affecting my uncle's social
and commercial standing Stephen Barker's
offer was therefore accepted, and tbs next
Sunday vs walked to church together.
After this public avowai OF our intentions
the marriage was considered inevitable by
every person but me. | must do myself the
justice to- state that never regarded my en-
gagemsDt TO Stephen Barker seriously; 1t
was part OF plan to secure my happiness
and Tiebts. And as Stephen fully conceded
in 1t, co not expect ceDsure from anyone
else
think il vas no later than the third night
after Stephen bad spoken to my uncle that
frankly toic him that thought ought not
to NARY him. BE asked me why. ard
said: 'All my life long, Stephen, have
been a ushed, unhappy Girl. 1 have been
afraid 10 speak. TOR laugh. or sing. aud no one
but Norman Strong ever said kind word to
me until yots came"
"Ard yeu love Norman?" he asked.
bluItly
So answered: .'Yes, love him aud he
lows NE, and when he got the position of
cashier IN you bank he wanted to marry me.
but UT de raid were neither of Us TO be
trusted Win my s25 00o."
So yoa have f25 000?'
.'Pata J. &c n e that much, but Uncle Miles
can ketp il until | am thirty i've unless
marry To pI.ssr him. unless be is 50 satisfied
of my good serse that he voluntarily gives
it to me. He will rever do that"
Stephen as silent q long time. aud then
he said. q little sadly; You are a good girl
to be so honest with me. Ii your uncle
do you think you could use it wisely?'
~ could-with Norman to help me.'
Then We had 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 me.
He behaved exactly as q lover of his age aud
character would be likely to behave. He
sent aunt presents from his lighthouses, and
he made me presents o. pretty jewelry. He
spent the evenings at Uncle Miles house,
and sometimes we were left acne together,
and sometimes we went eut for walk.
Norman came to me occasionally on Sun
day night, and my aunt said he had really
behaved with more good sense than she ex-
pected. think she thought that ii l mar
ried the banker it might not be a bad thing
for my cousin Malvina, who was very plain,
to marry the bankers cashier
Everything went on with the greatest pro.
priety- had announced my intention to
have an extraordinary trousseau, and this
being point on which aunt could feel with
ne, the next four monihs were spent in
shoppir 2 and sewing. Never In our little
town bad there been seen such dozsns OF ele-
gantly trimmed undergsrments, such hos.
ferv, such morning dresses and evening Co.'S
TUNES, such wonderful boots and slippers and
jewelry. We held little receptions every
afternoon . month before the wedding, and
my wardrobe was laid out in the best bed
room for comment ar d inspection.
1t was about this time that Stephen Barker
said to my uncle: ~ understand Frances has
$25. coo. / wish her to have it so settled on
herself, and for her own absolute use that
propose Mr.. Miles. il you are willing TO add
$40 600 to it, and buy for her the Stamford
estate. II is only three miles from here, the
house is q very fine one, the lands excellent
and then, whatever changes come, it secures
her competency. for as soon rs the railway
- finished it will be worth double. What
do you say?'
al
Mr.. Barker, and of course for such purpose
/ an willing to hand over to you Frances
fortune The interest has been applied to
her own nse always. Will you look at the
accounts"
"Your word is sufficient, Mr.. Miles"
SO In about two weeks the transfer was
safely and amicably effected, and Stamford
Hall 81 estate were firmly and surely msde
over 10 Frances Halliday. spinster, for her
and her bells forever. l must state here tina.
I opposed as strongly as thought right
Stephens eft ct $4,000 and his subsequent
outlay OF 81 eco on furniture, and both uncle
and aunt ssid that the settlement was small.
enCush Cor man OF bis means. and that il
would be affectation 10 oppose it. And
really Stephen managed the whole affair
with such fatherly Kindness and thoughtful
nees that l could not bear TO oppose him
AtlsDgth the wedding day drew near. I.
had been arranged for Wednesday morning,
and We were TO leave for New York imme-
diately after the ceremony. Cousin Jose.
Who had prepared himself to look down on
the world from the pulpit, was to perform
the cert mony. This showed in jose very
forsivirg spirit. seeing that he had once
looked on me and my $25 600 with affection
and bsd not appreciated the honor. How
ever, he foygaye me at this interesting epoch
and came henigply to bless my venture. He
brought me as present black onyx sea-
ring, On which was get a cross in seed pearls
Ne bad offered ii to me once before and
had then refused it took 1t this time.
1t helped to swell the list Of my presents