Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-09
directed two days before the marriage

directed two days before the marriage
day.
| For Stephen had proposed to send all
my trunks TO our New York hotel 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. Ioppos ed this ct first, but
aunt said that it was ''eminently proper
and thoughtful So all my wardrobe
except my wedding dress and travelling
suit arrived at the Fifth-aye. Hotel, New
York. on the last day of my maiden life.
Norman Strong called that night and
was in remarkably high spirits. He
wished me every happiness. and was
very attentive to Malyina. Aunt thought
his behavior charming.-so unselfish-
and was also very well satisfied with it.
II shall call you about O'Clock, Fran
ces," said my aunt. as | babe her good
night; 1.-THE hair dresser comes at $50.
/ said, Very we'll, annt," and went to
my room. The first thing did was to
pack my wedding dress in as small CON-
pass as possible, and then put on my
| travelling costume. This done sat down
in the dark. About one O'Clock | heard
the signal | watched for ! went softly
down stairs. unlocked the back door and
walked out. Norman was there. We
did not speak until we were outside the
grounds. There buggy waited. and we
drove rapidly to main line about three
miles off Here we caught the two O'Clock
express. and were safe in New York and
very respectfully married by ten o'clt OK.
NV trunks, which had arrived the day
before, were then re-drected for Wash
ington, and after delicious little we'd
ding breakfast-all by ourselves-we left
for that city.
In the meantime thele was trouble
enough in Milford. Our flight was not
discovered till nearly eight O'Clock, and
then Uncle Miles sent word at once to
Stephen Barker, who secluded himself for
that day entirely. Ny aunt and cousin S
chagrin and disappointment were very
great; in fact. when | considered the
amount of coincidence and gossip they
would have to endure, felt that, for all
the Sights and scorns of my unloved
girlhood, | could quite cry. And | had
were so completely happy? We had not
a care, for Stephen had given him $500
bill and months holiday, and told us to
YET All lne pledSuTe we COuiu OUT Vi 1t.
We obeyed him implicitly.
During that month things settled down
little. did not expect to be forgiven
all at once, and was not; but then was
in a position not to worry particularly
about It. We returned very quietly after
dark one night, very much like two chill
dren who have played truant all day and
creep home at nightfall with as little os-
tentation as possible.
But at Stanford Hall everything had
been prepared for my comfort. The fires
were blazing. the gas lighted and an ex-
cellent supper waiting. The next morning
Norman went back to his desk. and Ste
| phen took no more notice of his return
than if he had never LETT it. People who
had been specializing about his losing his
position knew in five minutes that there
would be no change. And every one took
his tone from Stephen. 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 a great deal more intel >
| ligence. They all came to see me, and
though did not give them all credit for
the very kndest of motives, made them
all welcome. told them about nv wed
ding trip, and showed them my new
things, and dare say the men talked eve
rything 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 dear
ly. Even those who spoke kindly of him
did not give him credit for half the noble
nnselfishness he had shown; for he would
not let me tell any one that it was he him
self who had planned everything about my
property and my wedding.
"Just let them say you Tilted me, Fran
ces, if they please to do so. We know
better, and we will keep our secret until
Uncle Miles comes around"
Aunt and uncle both came around soon
er than we expected. When it was known
that Stephen spent so much of his time
with us, Aunt Miles considered the advan-
tage of having her daughters brought fla
miliarly in contact with him. and for their
sakes she came to see me and gave me
the kiss of reconciliation.
But as tar as catching Stephens heart
Fin the rebound was concerned, she was
just a little too late. Norman's sister,
who was teacher in one of the public
schools of New York, came to spend her
vacation with us, and Stephen fell in love
with her in a way that convinced me that
his love for Frances Halliday had only
been the shadow of the love he had for
her mother. Why, Norman himself new
er behaved more foolishly about me than
Stephen did about this plain little 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 myse If.
Dear me, | think Love must laugh at the
kind OF people he comes in contact with.
But hope Stephen will be happy; do
indeed.
This is all have to say about the mar
riage. | think it was rather peculiar.
Some women will doubtless say they don't
believe such men as Stephen exist But
let girl, when she discovers she does not
! like man, tell him so and ask his advice
and help, and ten 10 one she will find an
other Stephen. How can men be chival
rous and selt-denying il women don't give
them opportunities think this is wrong,
and intend to give Norman every chance