The Delta independent., 1888-03-20

been more than happy together. l
don't think you have ever regretted our
marriage, dear"
"Never!" he answered fervently, the
anger dying out of his face as he clasped
his wife hand.
Young people will be young people,
youth 1t will be better to consent
with good grace. than to hasten Ellie
into the rash act Of running away with
her lover, and with her impulsive feel
ings, she is just the girl to do it. y
'.Perhaps you are right. my dear"
he admitted at length. 81 may be
brought to consent, but never with a
good grace, and if he marries her he
can keep her, for so long as live will
give her nothing"
THAT will at any rate prove the
sincerity of his Affection" said Mrs,
Ravenswood, land of hers, too, for
Ellie has been brought up in a home of
luxury and would miss all the comforts
to which she has been accustomed. l
would rather you did not thus punish
her, George"
But Mr.. Raverswood was for once
obdurate.
There was somewhat quaint scene
Ellie, with her pretty mouth more
mutinous than ever. and her bright eyes
full of new light, seemed to care moth
ing for the thunder cloud through which
she had passed. Her father had con-
sented, and that was all she wanted.
AS to the money, she was only too
glad to give it up for Paul's sake, and
said so plainly.
Mr.. Ravenswood iold Ellie he would
have "no more running about" so
L'Estrange was received at Hillsdale
as the girls suitor, and somehow these
meetings were not so pleasant as the
prohibited ones.
The green trees had been a more
romantic roof for the lovers than the
ceilings of Hillsdale.
Paul's holiday could not be long
one, and he pressed for an early day to
be fixed for their marriage, telling Ellie
that he would not leave her behind.
Mr.. Ravenswood would not listen to
it at first, but it was useless for him to
demur.
Ellie meant to do all her lover asked
her, and of course she did.
And she became his wife before he
quilted Muthlll to return to his profess
sional career.
1t was quiet but very pretty we'd
ding, and Ellie looked simply beautiful,
with her bright happy face and spark
veil.
There are few such cheerful brides as
Ellie proved to be.
No sorrow, or the fear of it, oppress-
ed her as she knelt before the altar and
promised fidelity to the man she loved,
dressed in an exquisite costume which
her lovers artistic taste had designed
for her.
Lord Cranburn was not one of the
invited guests, for Mr.. Ravenswood
could not forgive him for relinquishing
his suit to his daughter, nor for being
the first to bring him the unpleasant
news of her engagement; but he was in
the church. and was the first hand she
clasped as she passed along the aisle
to the vestry.
"Thank you-thank you thousand
times" she said, "for all you have done
for us! You must come and stay with
us in town, and, remember, we are al.
ways friends.'
'.Always," he answered earnestly.
"God bless you, Mrs. L L'Estrange!'
His was the first lips to give her her
new title and it came to her with al
most a surprise.
There was little merriment when she
drove away, for her fathers brow was
clouded, and her mothers face was sad:
but Ellie was happy radiantly happy,
and neither slippers, nor rice, nor any
outward show could have made her
more SO.
Paul had accepted an engagement,
and after but short honeymoon he
went to his work.
He was wonderful powerful actor,
and Ellie never tired OF hearing and
seeing him upon the stage.
Night after night she sat in one of the
front stalls, with her beautiful eyes
fixed upon him, her bosom rising and
falling with the excitement his words
called forth; her whole being entranced.
totally unaware of the admiration she
herself created, or of the numerous
opera glasses levelled at her.
Paul l. L'Estrange had no more ardent
admirer than his own wife.
She became known to all his company
one by one, and all agreed in thinking
him most lucky fellow.
Ellie was a universal favorite-a fact
which made Paul even more proud OF
her, but which at the same time aroused
in him deep jealousy that he was un-
aware existed in his nature; but Ellie
laughed Oft these uncomfortable little
scenes as only loving wife can do, and
the peace was more than kept between
them.
She had been with him to the theatre
as usual, and they were returning in
their private brougham to the pretty
home he had made for her, when she
almost startled him with a sudden re-
mark.
"Paul, wish you would let me act,'
she said excitedly. II should love it."
Nonsense. darling!" he replied
almost sharply. "Acting is gift, and
a science. You must be born an actor
and educated to it almost from child
hood. The idea is absurd! Do not for
goodness sake, let it be a matter of dis
pute between us, as have often known
it to between actors and their wives,
there's a good little woman"
Il will not mention my wish to you
again, Paul." she answered coldly;
"But know could act, and act we'll;
and Mr.. Rainsford told me he felt GER
tain Of If 0nly vasterday.r