News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-12-10
MalCOm Hayes wife.

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1t was the wedding of the season,
of Florence Ransom and Malcolm
Hayes. The church was thrOnged
with the elite of the great city, the
marriage bell was composed offlowers
the whitest and choicest, the favoritb
tenor vouchsafed his most musical
notes; the bride was marvel ofbeau-
ty, awaiting whom stood the groom
in his English morning costume, calm
and composed. He was the least
noticed of all the spectators in the
drama, although none there were
more worthy of recognition. For q
moment as his eyes rested on the fair
vision approaching him, sudden fire
sprang into their slumberOus depths,
the color receded from his face, leav-
ing 1T very white, and the hand which
was outstretched to lead her to the
altar felt cold even through the Law
ender glove, but the voice which
answered all the solemn questions be
trayed no tremor Clear and distinct
it sounded through the entire church,
and when it was over and they turned
arm in arm, it seemed indeed as
though the flowers, thrown by four
little girls in purest white upon their
carpeted path, were not symbolical
of their future way through life.
What then was wanting? Only that
which made it all an empty sham:
lovel
A year before, Miss Ransom had
been left an orphan, and to add to
the poignancy of her grief at losing
her father (the only parent she had
ever known, she discovered that her
annual income would abOutrepresent
the usual sum she expended for gloves
and flowers. 1t was frightful con-
dition of things Her father had been
the senior member of the firm, the
main branch ofwhich was in Calcutta
His sudden death, leaving his only
daughter s0taily unprovided for, call
ed a meeting of the heads on the 9TH
er side of the water.
Gone of us must do something for
thegirl said Mr. Howard, halflaugh-
ing and shaking his gray head. Il
am married, and consequently cannot
assist her in that way. Suppose Nal
colin, you go over and assume this
vacant place, and, if not too onerous
burden, take upon yourself the re-
sponsibilities of a married man."
So young Hayes had accepted the
suggestion so far as assuming the
duties of the position, but with men
tai reservation concerning the other,
which, however, after meeting Miss
Ransom, seemed entirely to fade from
sight, and ended in a formal offer of
heart and hand. Every one said it
was an admirable arrangement; for
none appeared to think it possible
there could be on her side moments
hesitation. He did not seem to con-
slider it necessary to make any great
demand upon her heart. From the
Calcutta firm came letters of con-
graduation and presents of inesti-
mable value There was little time
for thought in the hustle of prepara-
tiOn and inspection of the trousseau
| worthy q princess, until it finally all
ended in the usual form-the clash of
marriage-bells, which if theyrang dis
cordantly on any heart, to the hus-
bands ear were musical enough; the
distributing of wedding-favOrs, both
congratulations and farewells, and
two people destined to each others
society until death should strike one
from the roll. Ended, did | say? |
should have said begun; since on the
steps of the altar the bride leaves her
white robe of girlhOod's carelessness,
and assumes the mantle of her wom-
anhood.
A fortunate marriagel A model
couple! This the worlds verdict );
and, seemingly, a correct one, as, two
years having passed, their inner life
but corresponded with that they lie /
outwardly, and no clash ever marred
it's fair surface. Better, perhaps, had
it done SO. Better even an occasion
al wound, if it but penetrated the
surface, which hid so effectually all
that lay beneath.
"Not going out this evening, NAL
colin ?" questioned Mrs. Hayes, en-
tering, in full evening toilet, theroom
where her husband sat reading.
"No," looking up with a smile. 81
send so fair a representative, Florence,
| shall not be missed. | trust you
will enjoy the ball, dear"
"Oh, doubtless. | always enjoy
dancing; and notwithstanding the
two years of married life, | still have
no dearth OF partners.
C should think not, indeed. Your
cares have not aged you, my wife"
"Cares! Oh, Malcolm, | haYenone.
But goodbye! Au revoir!"
At the threshold she paused. An
unwonted sound had fallen on her
cara quick sigh from her husband S
lips. In a moment she was back at
his side, bending over him, radiant
vision of beauty.
"YOu are not well, Malcolm. You
look pale. | will llnOtg out tonight. y
Nonsense, dear. | am perfectly
well only little tired. | shall soon
must give me list and description Oi
your triumphs."
Mrs Malcolm Hayes, in the whir
of pleasure and excitement, seldom
found time to note that the paleness
she had first observed on her hus
bands face now rarely left it, or that
his eyes had i'll them u wearied look
as of one who seldom slept.
Except when they received at theil
, own home, he never appeared at hel
t side. Since his discovery that shC
E would go alone, with apparently un
marred enjoyment, he had escheweC
society so gradually that she hardly
/. realized how separated theirlives haC
> become.
81 would like to see Won amOment q