The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-03-08
POOR LITTLE EMILY,
The History Of a Prudent
Marriage.
BIZ MISS mUIooK.

CHAPTER I--CoNrNuEp.
well, the rest Of the story lies in n mt.
shell; Tor have never got to the bottom of
the matter yet, and I never shall now.
John and Emily parted in the old fathers
presence; he insisted upon that, and in my
presence, too, for Emily begged would
stay. And at the last, oh! how she cIung
round the young mans neck, and promised
him Faithfully that she would marry him.
ana no one but him. And he promised her
as solemnly, and John Stenhouse is q mar
VINO never breaks his word, that If he were
niive on the day she came OF age, he would
man or devil He said Tint, those yerv
words, for he seemed half addened by the
: cruelty shown to her, tho tender, delicate
grl, made 10 be loved md taken care Of
AND then no kissed hero, low he kissed
her! 1t makes me cry to think Of it."
Poor follow! But, for all that, 1t would
nave been a very imprudent marriage"
said Mrs. Smiles, coldly.
"Inprudent or not, it never came about.
you see, though what happened have
never found out Most certainly, John
Stenhouse formed no other attachment
ne worked hard in the Office, and out Of
office hours led q most solitary life. He
1id not even ask about Emily Kendall;
though, sometimes when, Intentionally,
gsed TO mention her, he listened
% no was drinking in every word.
And took caro- that during the
Two years he shonld hear about her all I
heard myself. This was not n great deal.
Tor her father kept her separated from me
as much as he could, which was human
nature, suppose. But / had news of her
sometimes, and always told them to John.
Xhe only thing I did not tell him was a
rumor that reached me, no. ridiculous il
seemed then, that my husband and only
ia9ehed at 1t, of her intended marriage to
,-lObu u-BoWAebAsS, - = s.. 81 8, -, q
remember It was who told you, and
how indignant you looked. But you see I
was right after ALL said Mrs. Smiles, not
S.Eaut q little air OF self-satisfaction.
Well. no matter now. John never
named Eplily's name, nor do know if he
ever heard the report or NOT; but certainly
Just about that time he went up to London.
Whether it was to claim Emily, whether
he asked her again and shs refused him, or
whether he heard the report aoua. her and
John Bowerbank, and never did como for
ward and ask her, goodness only knows!
z All l know is that, within two months Of
Emily's coming Of age, without my ever
seeing him-for was laid down with that
bad fever, you know, and Edward was too
miserable about me to care much for any
body outside-John Stenhouse had quit
ted Liverpool and sailed for India. And
there he is now, for aught know. He does
not forget us, poor fellow; he writes to us
at christmas always, and last year he sent
an lnuian shawl to reach mo ON my birth
day. But he never names Emily, and he
never gave the slightest explanation about
anything"
aPerhaps," suggested Mrs. Smiles,
there was nothing TO explain. The young
lady had changed her mind, that was ali.
And no wonder. A marriage with the head
of the firm instead of one OF the Junior
clerks Is so yory much more suitable. But
Mr.. Bowerbank's g, presume. Oh, dear 'if
i could but see one Of my daughters driving
away In her own carriage!"
Mrs. Knowle did not answer. She stood
half hidden behind the groups Of idle
gazers which always gather to stare at o
bride. There was q mingled expression in
her frank, rosy face-half pity, half ten
O shadow OF something else--a something
notunlike contempt rse-looking, un.
cultured woman as she was, she possessed
that which makes at once womans utmost
\ softness and utmost strength--a loving
heart and clear conviction-though she
vas not clever enough TO put II into
Thoughts. stil less into words OF the di-
yineness Of Love. Love, which, when NUT
ual, givcs and exacts nothing loss than the
entire soul OF man and woman, and en-
forces as an absolute duty the truth OF
which marriage Is but the outward sign,
seal, and ratification What God hath
Joined together let not man put asunder."
Il wonder what made her marry him2"
murmured the good nlatron OF thirty years
standing. 4My patiencei II l had given up
Edward Knowle what would he have Thought
OF me? What will John Stenhouse thinl,
Of herr"
Nothing tall, probably. He may be
married by this time himself"
II don't believe it'll never believe it.
Men mGy be bad enough, but they're not sc
bad as women. They'll not often sell
themselves, soul and body. out Of mere
cowardice, or break solemn plighted
promise from sheer fear"
But her father-s she was bound to obey
her father"
@No. she wasn't" replied Mr.. Knowle,
sternly and strongly. My dear, you're
not bound to obey any man living, not
even your own husband, who is mighty
deal closer to you than your father, when
he tells you TO do wrong thing. If Ed
ward Knowle said TO me, Emma, Tn
hungry, and ! want You to chop yourself
mp into mincemeat for me, well, perhaps
might do it, II he really wanted It and il
harmed no ono cut myself. But If he said
Emma. I'm hungry. and want you to oe
! anU -kteaI that leg OF mutton, l should say
NO, sirE Gods law is q higher law thar
obedience to you. Steal your leg OF NUT.
Z ton for yourself. But stop they've
= opened the hall door--she'g coming
She came, the little pale bride. No
= even the excitement of the bridal gayoties
the BREAKFAST the champagne, and tn,
speeches, could make her anything bp
{ palo- She leant on the arm Of her father
who was On extremely handsome, gentle
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