The National tribune., 1890-12-25

| Isn't it lovely" whispered the conspirators
/ to each other, while Carol fitted The wedding
| ring.
DO you believe they will2"
They must"
"But suppose, Carol" and Alice looked
| frightened, that they shouldn't care; wouldn't
I it b. aWful?"
| Nonsense. OF course they will Love don't
! dc IN quarter OF q century," and he kissed
| his own love tenderly.
Did-did you worry him about clothes and
| things, as / did mammal"
Well, l reckon / did" laughed Carol
/ The Governor always looks first rate, but he
IS not really swell, so / put il 10 him, all on
my account and ] told him / wanted him 10
! cut dash and show up in the finest dress suit
aud morning clothes that he could get Then
/ ordered 2 lot Of traps for him in New York
| gloves and ties. silk socks too" Then the
| lovers laughed like two little children
IL they only don't spoil it" said Alice.
Never fear said Carol. "The Governor is
grand old chap, and as for mamma Alice
| smiled at this" why, she's glorious"
AT what hour will your father arrive"
asked Mrs. Everett Of Carol the night before
the wedding
About 10 o'clock" he replied, and I will
bring him up, may l uot-iufOrmally, you
know-for lunch? We can all get acquainted BY
ourselves"
Certainly" smiled Mrs Everett; that was
! expected. His room is ready now, and we shall
be very glad TO see him"
Carol and Alice exchanged glances
Mamma, dear" laughed Alice, the next
morning as she trippcd rs usual from her own 10
her mothers room, while finishing her morn
ing toilet" am so happy. that | wish you had
z lover and we're going 20 be married"
Alice, how can yuuP" and the widow
looked really shocked; 4" bat hope, dear
aud she kissed the merry girl hope your
life Will be rs fair as y0nr wedding morning
L never had such wedding as yours will be-"
Mamma. were you not happy bride?"
Don't, dear; have you forgotten But
thore, have found happiness in my children"
Alice.
Hush, child. my life is well on its way. 1
am glad We do not live it twice"
Mamma" little later, put on your blue
e 1t is too elaborate, Alice"
-. For my wedding day2 Oh! Mamma
Very well, dear" smiled the mother ct
| suppose we must look our best to meet the old
gentleman. What are you putting On?"
MeF oh why, thar don't matter"
Indeed! Well, that is singular logic. as if
| be would see what wore. Go, dear put on
| that pretty old-rose gown with white fur"
Yes" Gssented Alice, that goes with tho
/ blue"
1t was now the hour OF Mr.. Williams ar
! rival. Carol had gone 10 the train. The
mother and daughter, in their lovely gowns,
/ made charming picture in the softly tinted,
sott!y-shaded drawing-rO0m. The girl was
| 1uahed and pale by turns. The mother was
| sweetiy calm, as usual, pale and serene.
Then came the sound Of sleigh-bells for it
was Winter time. They halted A ring at the
| bell, tripping servant maid, and two gentle
men were ushcrod in with a rush Of frosty air.
Pfesently-aEd Alice Moerly Everett could
never distinctly recall that scene-the youthful
! lovers were side by side. Then the elder man
was presented 10 the Girl, and then -
Ny father, Ms. Everett. l want you to
be friends"
The tall, portly, white haired man advanced.
The woman in blue stepped forward and held
| out her hand.
Time had dealt kindly with these lovers Of
| long ago.
There was one minute Of silence, then fash
Of light passed over the mans face. The
woman was white as death
"Aiice!"
"Hughm
Then careless Of the boy and girl, forgetful Of
| time, OF sorrow and gray hairs. these old-time
lovers, lovers still, We're clasped in each others
arms.
The silence that followed was first broken by
a mans voice. husky aud low.
Alice, Alice, could you not have waited 2"
| and the woman s1bbcd,
% thought you dead; your name was among
tho killed"
"Isn'ti il glorious" whispered Carol to Alice,
who was hiding her tears on his shoulder. II
| told you So"
But elderly people are soonest recalled to the
| world.
The widows face flushed crimson; what
would Alice say ? aud Hugh Williams. releasin z
L Ia a. ~ - 4
" Twill explain, my boy, he said TREMENDOUSLY,
| but proudly.
No occasion, sir 1t is all right with US. I"
! said Carol enthusiastically and he looked to
Alice for approval.
All right2 Why, Carol, n-how-why,"
looking upon the merry young pair, "you are
not surprised; you seem - Carol, did you
know"
"Of course we did"
"What, Alice, daughter; how could your"
ooh. Mamma, il was so lovely, so lovely
Carol and j knew almost from the first aud
We have waited so long
and you planned all this" gasped the lady.
why notr" laughed Carroll, we thought"
May God forever bless such a son and such
daughter" 1t was the strong, deep voice Of
the alderman, who now stepping forward Joined
their hands together and then, as if carried
a'say by some stronger impulse, turned, and
again held out his arms 20 his lost love.
That was a wonderful lunch party. Ii was
one Of those rare hours given 70 mortals in COM
pensation for long grief They might have
been eating chips instead of the dainty dishes
upon tie table. These four people were ap-
pIgenty sitting in docOrOus fashion around a
Widespread table, but in reality they were
sEimnling TIE air.
e The man says, when shall he bring the
lowers?"
They came back to earth reluctantly. Then
thcre were such things ~ maid servants, and
flowers, and weddings. The mother and
daughter consulted with L" the man"
" You are going South with Us ?" asked
Hugh Of Alice-his Alice.
" Yes smiling, when the children finish
their little trip"
=" No. but a. Ouco-nOw, I mean-to-night2"
No, Mr.. Hugh" hIushiug, not until their
arrangements are made"
WAY not?" demanded Hugh promptly.
Ny house Is ready. There, don't say no.
For Gods sake little woman, do not let us
waste any more Of life apart"
" But, Hugh, cannot; am not -
=" Yes you are ready. Mamma" interrupted
Alice the younger. Then shyly to her prospect
i've father, Mamma is quite ready, sir. /
SAW 10 that myself Indeed, she has no ex-
cuse."
There. Alice, dear. you will not refuse
said Hugh earnestly; your daughter aud nv
sou have intended this. Shall there not be a
double wedding? Answer, dear; remember
the long years"
You have betrayed me- plotted against
me-" both laughed and cried the trembling
woman; % am in the hands of the enemy
aad lifting her eyes TO the face she had dreamed