Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-08-11
CHAPTER XEVu.

| OhAPIEh ALV1L
It was o sweet and calm spring even
ing; its very air rich with unspoken
thoughts; its very beauty breathing
happiness. To Neil Adhesion, sitting
in the church-porch, while the slanting
sunbeams fingered tenderly among the
graves, there was even another reminder
Of happiness, for over the iron gates of
the churchyard stretched the foundation
of what, upon the morrow, would be q
dainty arch of pure white flowers, and
which spoke to him of the Joy which
was to be his. For this morrow was to
be his marriage day-his and Lina's-
and not only that, but it was to be Col.
Stuart's and Marjorie's, too and both
the brides were to go from High Athel-
ston, and the magnificent and lavish
preparations for the ceremony were INV
derstood to be equally in honor of both.
| Lady Adhesion, and Sir Neil, too,
had been particular about this !; know
ing what failure festival at the manor
would be; at time when Marjorie could
take no part as hostess, Lady Athel-
ston's will had been in this case purely
kind, and "a great deal more astonish,
ing) she had succeeded In working it
! without assistance,
In her delight at the marriage of her
son with the heiress of High Adhesion,
and the girl she had grown to love so
well, the failure Of her FIRST scheme for
him grew into absolute self-congratula-
ton and, feeling so thoroughly con-
tented herself, she determined on doing
all in her power to add to the happiness
of the girl who certainly had never been
able to appreciate Neil, but of whom she
had always been fond, even though she
had never learned to depend and lean
upon her, Just as she had so soon learned
to depend and lean upon the gentle,
grave girl who was to be Neil's wife.
So the sumptuous and gorgeous prepa-
rations which she delighted to order
were ordered equally for the two brides
and the friends Of the two brides.
Old Mr.. Castillain chuckled q good
deal over this, reckoning how many
pounds it would save him, yet thank
lessly pronouncing 1t "s wilma of the
old lady's." And the "old lady's" very
her reticence about having any cause for
the whin, save her fondness for Mario
RE and great respect for Col. Stuart.
She never pretended to have noticed
Louisa's cold, sarcastic words and be-
havior about these marriages. She only
told her pleasantly that, on the strength
of long friendship, abe had determined
to adopt Marjorie for that occasion, il
she and Mr.. Castillain would allow her,
And, of course, Louisa, who looked for
ward herself delightedly to the wedding
gayeties at High Adhesion, knowing
sic would be the very handsomest
among the twelve bridesmaids, said
nothing but that it was "very nice,"
and then went home to laugh over il
with the Squire.
| 10 hol Haov, 40 ,s.~ol.
breaking of of the match between his
younger daughter and Sir Neil that he
had hardly even yet recovered his tenn.
per; but three circumstances went n
long way toward enabling him to do SO.
The first was Sir Neil Athelston's open.
fearless declaration that, except the
baronetage, he had no claim upon the
Adhesion lands or wealth; the second
was the pleasant financial arrangement
| Col. Stuart proposed for the wife (much
more interesting to the old gentleman
than the manly declaration of Iove); and
the third was the expense of the wedding
being saved for him.
So it was that Neil's mother-always
led by some one-hnd so long now been
led by wise and unsuspicious hands, that
this thoughtful, generous reserve seemed
only natural to her; and working her
| OWA WAA AAuAuyS SAo Was 1ON8u Ll6 DGLLe1
for insisting on it.
If Lima had been consulted, she would
have chosen what is called "a quiet
wedding, but on this subject she never
oGS'consulted, except in gay defiance Of
her choice and she understood at once
Lady Athelston's generous as we'll as
proud desire that all splendor should
be shed upon the marriage Of her only
son.
"The county people will expect it, my
dear and it is due from us, in our posi-
ito n here to crafty them wish them
all to see what rejoicing make over his
marriage with the dear little friend from
whom I was once tempted to turn sus-
piciously. And" with smile) "why
should Marjorie have 'quiet wedding
when she never has been at all o quiet
persona"
So the morrow of this sweet spring
evening was to be such day as
Churchill had but rarely seen. There
were arches of evergreens (blossoming
flags and mottoes) both at the foot and
summit Of the steep street flags waved
all around the quaint old pump and
lamp-post midway and there was TO be
(the only one left until the morrow o
magnificent arch of spring flowers and
L
on the entrance gates at High Athel.
| ston.
Besides that, there was a restless. exc
pectant spirit of excitement rife every
where, from the wealthy aristocratio
families of Highshire, who would all be
represented at High Adhesion on the
morrow, to the cottagers' children, who
were out-of-doors now. watching the pro-
gress of the preparations; from the shop
keepers and private families in
Churchill, who were all inclined to take
holiday and join the universal merry
making, to the workman and laborers
who had it given them, and would have
substantial cause to make the day Il fes-
tival.
And Marjorie was to be as daughter
of the house at High Adhesion through
these few hours, and was to leave it Q