Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1890-10-11
A CHANGE OF BRIDES.

IA wedding party had assembled at
the country home of the brides aunt.
All had gone to bed early in order to be
in good trim for the wedding festivities
on the morrow. The bride, Mary Ais
ton, was an orphan, wealthy, good and
beautiful.
The groom, unable to sleep, sat by the
window INDUCING in a food of old
memories. Twelve years before he
had been betrothed to Irene Wistanley,
and had attended wedding with her
in that very house. The engagement
was broken on the receipt of a letter
from Irene saying that she wished to
marry wealthy sutton whom her aunt
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'll
x
A lady stepped out of the carriage
and assembled the steps; the driver re-
manned, though he did not turn his
horses. / only noticed that she was
tall and walked with peculiar grace.
AS she approached | opened the door
wider, at which she started back as if in
astonishment
"Aunt Emily-Mrs. Colmer-is she at
home to a belated traveller"
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 now deadly white her face was
and, without word, she sank into the
nearest chair.
Come into the sittingroom, said,
leading the way. | had neither
strength nor courage to offer my arm.
The fire was out. | looked into the
great kitchen, and, stirring up the en-
bers there, soon had a cheerful blaze.
I 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.
| thought to be here at s."
"And YOU escaped unhurt ?' l almost
gasped, for a sickening feeling made me
SILVER.
80 "Thank God Ives. No one was seri-
ously injured, though; the delay
seemed the worst part of it,"
81 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 l said,
confusedly, you did not expect to
meet me here?"
eyes, / knew you were here; that
4lx, INV a
here"
"Her voice was unsteady, and [ no.
ticed she wore mourning. 1t was well
something steeled my heart that mo-
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
10 ray own apartment. Some insane
ancy held me captive; | wanted to see
aer face again. | knew, now her hus-
pand was dead, she had come to East
brook because | was here-what if a 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 ] 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 childish,
fearful fondness, we'll nigh painful to
witness; she laid aside her bonnet and
fur mantle, warmed herself at the
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 fireside and tender greeting.
Her voice was trembling as she said it.
She felt so like waif, wrecked travel
er who had to begin life all over again,
and she begged SO tenderly to be ex-
cused for this sudden reappearance 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 asain-and YOU have changed so