The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-06-23

~tenantry, and school children scattered
flowers. There was a choral service, a
Bishop, looIonial-on sick leave-step-
great-uncle Of the bridegroom a rural
Dean, first cousin once removed from
the bride and a ritualistic curate. An
epithalamiuln, composed by the school
master, was sung, commencing
Oh, this festive occasion,
With roses and rice,
We offer obiatiou,
To the bride ofhis choice.
Pronounced chico from e~Nigency
Of rhyme The oldes; inhabitant. in a
clean smock frock. dispensed blessings
and imbibed beer with praiseworthy
p~rodigality. Everything that human in
genuity could devise. or custom counte-
nance, was done 10 render the happy
day" memorable for it, discomfort 10 the
contracting parties. In spite Of this, the
bride looked a. charming as sweet seven
teen can look when il tries it, best, and
considering that She, - to speak, stepped
out Of the school-room into the church,
carried herself with ~commendable self
possession. A. for the bridegroom, he
wen through the ordeal like a soldier
and n man. and looked. according TO the
doctors daughter, " heavenly" Not the
least satisfied Of the wedding party WAS
the brides brothc. joey. "The girls must
look slippy after husbands in these hard
times" had been that young mans re-
mark a year before. Spurrei on 10y pa
rental murmurines of empty farms and
no rents, joey had suggested a reduction
in the home establishment instead Of his
substantial but Inadequate allowance.
The establishment did not quite see it,
but joey was firm. The girls must mar
ry, and n Of them, though all could not.
must marry Geoffrey Fitz johnson. He
was in every way eligible young, good
looking, well off, in a snug berth at the
Wa Office, and heir To several rich and
sedate relations, unlikely to commit the
indiscretions, matrimonial and otherwise.
VI w Rh dEt. 80 AdAfAAlh IAAL
johnson was asked down to humble
thorpe, passed over five charming aspi-
rants 10 his hand and heart, and threw a
handkerchief to the shOck-headed young
person who sent a pot Of musk within an
inch Of his devoted head. craning out Of
the school-room window, on the evening
Of his arrival, TO catch a glimpse Of Jo-
ey's chum." Ii was rather 4 blow to Jo-
ey, his chum - walking off with his IA
vorite sister, but he bore it philosophical
ly. He had always intended to exercise
a particular care over Florie's Interests
when she came out. and he WAS not pre-
pared for the young lady going off 80
prematurely. However, the Fitz John
sons would live in London, and as joey
was at the Foreign Office and in rooms in
Bury-street. he could still keep an eve ON
his sister, and see that She still held her
own in the smart set " (which her hus-
band was 80 popular a member. Joey
was ten years older than F1orie, and had
the majestic carriage and law-giving pro-
c~livities Of a man about town. He was
what Is known as a. great institution
which means that he was invaluable in "A
snow-bouI.d country house. He could
tell first-rate and first-hand ghost stories.
and could pass the seyercst examination
in Debrett. He was 4 pillar of strength
in private theatricals. and could initiate
the divine Sarah TO the life. He knew all
the gossip, and could tell it without seem
ing ill-natured. In short, Joey was the
rdra d,is, n social success.
4 happier couple than the Fitz John
son when they first came 10 Cruzon street
could not be imagined. 1t was only when
Captain Fitz johnson settled down in
his new house and his old set that he
made the gratifying discovery that he
had won his wife's heart, as well A. her
hand. During the couTtship and honey
moon the disposition of that important
factor in matrimonial happiness had
been doubtful. Florie leased, chaled and
commanded her husband IN a way that
to such a conquering hero was both novel
and provoking. Captain Ftz johnson
had. however. learned strategy elsewhere
than at Woolwich. The morning after
the arrival in London the willy young
mar left his wife in her boudoir-the la
test thing in boudoirs, executed under
Joey's supervision-wondering disnallv
how she would Kill the time until eight
O'Clock in the evening, when she was
told she might look forward To seeing her
lord and master again. 1t was some
thing more than to fetch a forgotten e.
garette case that made Captain Fitz
johnson reirace his steps on arriving al
the foot of the stairs. His instinct had
not deceived him. The fortress had cap
ituiaied
81 leave You so, Geofirey," sobbed the
poor little wife, with her head on hei
husbands shoulder and Godfrey. a,
he strolled down the street, having
promised TO be back by luncheon time
hummed "Rule, Britannia" in triumph.
ant soto rOoe. The victory won. the vie
tor, as he had 4 perfect right 10 do, rested
upon his laurels bun he need not hav,
given up the reyerential worship of tn,
lover and assumed ~ instantly the con
descending tolerance of the husband. II
was unkind of him when he came HON,
just in time to dress for dinner, after hav
ing been at the club all the afternoon
10 plunge into that horrid French move
with a satisfied grunt, and barely vouch
safe his wife a word. Ii was downright
rude of him when she leaned over hi
chair and stroked his hair. to snarl on
savagely
For Heavens sake, Florie, don't paw
me about like that. don't like it,
And it was positively brutal, after treat
ing her in such a way, TO scold her al
dinner-time for being depressed. But $,
it was. The Fitz johnson family ark
pretty little vessel as ii was, with lis fresl
paint and dainty furniture, had drife,
into the current which, sooner or later
must land it upon the rocks. Godfrey
blinded by selfish vanity, become bore.
with his wife's well-meant but ineffectua