Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-10-08
A CHANGE OF BRIDES.

n O11hNUu VI - N1O AOs
A wedding party had assembled a
the country home of the brides aunt
All had gone to bed early in order to be
an good trim for the wedding festivities
on the morrow. The bride, Mary Ais
ton, was an orphan, wealthy, good anC
beautiful.
The groom, unable to sleep, sat by the
window INDUCING in a flood of ole
memories. Twelve years before be
had been betrothed to Irene Wistanley
and had attended wedding with he1
in that very house. The engagement
was broken on the receipt of letter
from Irene saying that she wished tt
marry wealthy sutton whom her aun
favored Her husband, Mr.. Leighton
had since died, leaving Irene free.
The prospective groom, while recall
ing visions of his early love, was start
led to hear a carriage drive up. He
He fastened to the door and opened
it.
A lady stepped out of the carriage
and assembled the steps; the driver re-
manned, though he did not turn his
horses l only noticed that she was
tall and walked with a peculiar grace
AS she approached opened the door
wider, at which she started back as if in
establishment.
ssAunt Emily-Mrs. Colmer-is she al
home to belated traveler?'
1t was Irene Leighton
EYES," / answered, when [ caught
my breath.
She waved her hand to the driver
who went off; then she turned and
noticed how deadly white her face was
and, without a word, she sank into the
nearest chair.
"Come into the sitting [ said
leading the way. | had neither
strength nor courage to offer my arm.
Tie fire was out / looked into the
great kitchen, and, stirring up the en-
bers there, soon had a cheerful blaze.
invited her thither.
81 should not have disturbed you at
this unreasonable time, " she began in a
low tone, ''but there was an accident to
the train, which delayed us two hours.
I thought to be here at s."
"And you escaped unhurt?" l almost
gasped, for sickening feeling made me
SILVER.
"Thank God Lyes No one was seri-
ously injured, though; the delay
S0GIu0u UuO WOISG part VI Ii.
II will call Aunt Emily" | began, but
the sound of my own voice startled me.
The room swan around as she threw
her veil completely aside, revealing a
face sadder, yet more lovely than that
Of twelve years. ago.
As [ lighted another candle / said,
confusedly, "you did not expect to
meet me here?"
eyes, knew you were here; that
was partly the reason why [ came
mere"
'Her voice was unsteady, and I no
ticed she wore mourning. 1t was well
ment, for the sake of the dear girl up
stairs.
[ went to Aunt Emily's room and
told her briefly who had come. "She
fancied she heard the hall door open
and shut" she said; "but she supposed
it was only me-" Throwing on wrap
per, she fastened down.
| suppose / ought to have gone back
to my own apartment. Some insane
fancy held me captive; [ wanted to see
her face again. l knew, now her hus-
band was dead, she had come to East
brook because [ was here-what if fit
of penitence had seized her? [ felt my
lip curl in scorn--and though my heart
beat rapidly, my mind was made up for
all time. | could see her falseness so
clearly now, no tears, no new words
could wash away that black stain.
So I re-entered the room with Aunt
Emily; she thought it the most natural
thing in the world, for in those old days
she had been ignorant of my passion.
Mrs. Leighton met her with a childish,
fearful fondness, well nigh painful to
witness; she laid aside her bonnet and
IL
bright fire, and hastily ran over some
late event.
Mr.. Leighton had died at Florence a
year back; she had just reached En-
gland, but there was no kin to welcome
her, and she longed for Aunt Emily's
pleasant freside and tender greeting
Her voice was trembling as she said it..
She felt SO like waif, a wrecked travel
er who had to begin life all over again,
and she begged so tenderly to be ex-
cused for this sudden temperance and
the trouble she had given.
Aunt Emily prepared some refresh
mentS, and In return, told what had be-
fallen her since that old time Mrs
Leighton scarcely touched anything
saying she was too tired and excited to
eat.
"How natural it seems to have you
here again-and you have changed so
little. Emily-but you would hardly
know her-she was home a year ago
with her four children, and you look as
young and giriish as they. We have SO
much to tell you tomorrow. You are
lust in time for another wedding, too
how singular! But III go and arrange
your room for you must be tired out.
Sidney shall entertain you while / am
gone"
Another wedding" Mrs. Leighton
said slowly. "And you came for that
purpose, | suppose. Shall you be
groomsman again."
'tNot this time, was my answer,
''That old time" she went on, mus
1ngly, her eyes in the dropping fashion