The Northern Pacific farmer., 1885-04-02


which were already corded and directet
tn Q days before the marriage day:
For Stephen had proposed to SEND
all my trunks to our New York lota
two days before We left, in order that
We might have no concern about them
and that might be sure to have all ]
wanted on my arrival. / opposed thii
plan at first, but aunt said it was "em.
inently proper and thoughtful" Sc
all my wardrobe except my wedding
dress and travelling SUIT arrived at the
h-avenue hotel, New York, on the
last day Of my maiden life.
Norman Strong called that night an6
was in remarkably high spirits. HI
wished me every happiness, and was
very attentive to Malvina. Aunt thought
his behavior charming-so unselish-
and I was very we'll satisfied with it:
II shall call you about 8 O'clock, Fran;
ces," said my aunt, as 1 bade her good:
night; "the hair dresser comes at s :30.'
I said: Every we'll, aunt" and went
to my room: The first thing I did was
to pack my wedding dress in as small
compass as possible, and then put on
my travelling costume. This done, I sat
down in the dark About ono o'clock I
heard the signal watched for. I went
softly down stairs, unlocked the back
door and walked out. Norman was
there. We did not speak un-
til we were outside the grounds;
There a buggy waited. and we
drove rapidly to 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 fight was not
discovered till near 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 were
very great; in fact, when I considered
the amount of coincidence and gossip
they would have to endure felt that
for all the Sights and scorns of my un-
loved girlhood could cry quits. And
I had got my fortune also, and Norman
and I were so completely happy! We
had not care, for Stephen had given
him $500 bill and a months holiday,
and told us to get all the pleasure we
could out of it. We obeyed him implic-
lily.
During that month things settled
down little. I did not expect to be
forgiven all at once, and I was not; but
then I was in a 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 at
nightfall with as little ostentation as
possible: :.
But at Stamford hall everything had
been prepared for my comfort. The
fires wero blazing, the gas lighted, and
an excellent supper waiting. The next
morning Norman went back to his desk,
and Stephen took no more notice of his
return than if he had never left it.
People who had been speculating about
his losing his position knew in five min
utes that there would be no change.
And every one took his tone from Steph-
Ell. We were treated very much like two
children who had been forgiven, and
whose fault was not to be thrown up to
them.
That was the way the men took it,
and Norman pretended to be satisfied.
The women acted with great deal
moro intelligence. They all came to
see mo, and though I did not give them
credit for the very kindest of motives I
made them all welcome. I told them
about my wedding trip, and showed
them my new things, and dare say the
men talked everything over with them
afterward.
But what most puzzled everybody
was that Stephen Barker came so often
to see us, and was so friendly with
Norman. Some thought it very mean
spirited in him, and others remembered
that when he was very young he had
loved my mother dearly. Even those
who spoke kindly of him did not giss
him credit for halt tho noble unselfish-
ness he had shown; for he would not
let me tell anyone that it was he him
self who had planned everything about
my property and my wedding.
"Just let them say you Tilted me,
Frances, if they please to do so. We
know better. and we will keep our So
cret until Uncle Miles comes round"
Aunt and uncle both came round
sooner than we expected. When it
was known that Stephen spent so much
of his time with us Aunt Miles consid-
cred the advantages of having her
daughters brought familiarly in contact
with him, ana for their sake she came
to see me and gave me the kiss of rec
onciliation.
But as far as catching Stephens
heart lin the rebound" was concerned,
she was just little too late. Normans
sister, who was teacher in one of the
public schools of New York, came to
spend her vacation with US, and Steph-
en- fell in love with her in IL way that
convinced mo that his love for Frances
Halliday had only been the shadow of
the love he had for her mother. Why,
Norman himself never behaved more
foolishly about me than Stephen about
this little plain Ruth Strong, for she is
plain-every one must allow that.
And the preparations that are going
on for the marriage quite amuse me,
who might have been the bankers wife
myself. Dear me, think Love must
laugh at the kind of people he comes in
contact with. But L hope Stephen will
be happy I do indeed.
That is all 7 have to say about my
marriage. I think it was rather pecu-
liar. Some women will doubtless say
they don't believe such men as Stephen
exist. But let girl, when she discov-
ers she does not like man, tell him so,
and ask his advice and help, and ten to
one she will find another Stephen.
How can men he chivalrous and self
denying if women don't give them op-
portunities? I think that is wrong:
and I intend to give Norman every
chance to cultivate such noble qualities