Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-03-19

| one Is Win Lazy irving at Silver Dell, -
1 said. ''Wel, Myrtle" 1 asked, 'sare you
ready to 60 home with me now?"
Eyes, if you want me to, but I would
like to stay while longer until Stella
comes" she said
Goodbye then" I said, kissing her.
you must be able to attend our recep-
ton," [ said to Annie as left the room
All the way home could not forget An
MES sorrowful expression. What could
have made such a change in my happy
friend. l remembered our parting and
could not help thinking that she might
have known Of my mothers wish and fan
cied herself in love with me. o, why is
the world so full of sorrow! Why must
some hearts go yearning through life for
the love they can never enjoy! But Annie
was soon forgotten. l was too happy in
my love to remember anyone in sorrow.
The days flew past in quick succession:
at last the time to leave Waverland had
come. Everything was in order, and the
old mansion was ready to receive its new
mistress. AS l went from room to room l
felt proud of my home. In the drawing
room L paused moment in the deep win
dow seat, thinking how soon my darling
would be there to look upon the scene she
|
with happy heart she danced from room
to room in childish glee. Once she came
: to me, and climbing to my knee, she said:
~, Lloyd, ii mamma was only here"
and sobbed as though her little heart
would break.
eyes, my pet, if mother were here to en-
| JOY it all with US how happy we could be, I"
[ said, holding her close in my arms I
| fhOn Or h nj q T hoI
with this sweet child as my only compan-
ion. No ray of hope came to bid US good
cheer. 1t seemed aa though we were
doomed to go alone through life, and to
never know the pleasures of a happy home
But now, so soon, the sacred light of love
would fill our hearts with Joy.
Then | had another source of pleasure
| When [ went to Sir Wrens the day before,
had found Annie full of the old time ami
nation. Her eyes were so bright and her
| cheek had not recovered its rosy contour:
| but the expression of sadness had disap-
| peared
'Papa and are going to Silver Dell too"
was her first greeting, as I entered the
room. cousin COrdelia says papa is her
| nearest relative and must be present at her
wedding. Myrtle and l are to be brides
maids"
II am glad you are going, and more glad
| to see you looking so well,'' I said with
searching glance, for man like, I wished
to know the truth.
She turned away her head but answered
in a calm voice.
eyes, Lloyd, l am well: what a merry
time we will have at the weGdingn'
How pleased l was to see her so like her
happy self. So pure, SO chiIdlike in her
ways.
had been round my estate considerably
and found much more thrift and conf .rt
than one year ago, and my tenants seeI I'd
more cOntented. But still the agitation
for low rents and home rule was keeping
the people reused to constant action. I
found that no home was too poor, and no
tenant SO ignorant but that they had oh
tanned and read an Irish paper
I had issued invitations to a reception
and banquet to be given on our return.
Now the arrangements were all complete.
and tomorrow, Myrtle and were to leave
Waverland for Silver Dell, London.
CHAPTER XXIII.-THE DOUBLE WEDDING.
The morning came full of Joyous sound.
1t seemed as though the birds had tuned
frain within my heart and were warbling
forth their welcome home to my absent
one.
Myrtle and | were ready when the train
halted at our little railway station and we
were soon making rapid time toward Lon
don. The journey was the old story; but
how full of new joys and thoughts, as we
sped away over the silent moors; through
forests and busy cities
There was merry party gathered at
Silver Dell. The grounds seemed filed
with living throng of happy smiling
faces. Lady Irving was queen of beauty.
She was never bound down by any code of
etiquette, and to-day she had departed
from all known rules and planned an orr
ginal programme characteristic of herself.
1t was late as we arrived. AS we entered
the grounds the first one to greet me was
Colonel Haynes, my well remembered
American friend.
''You here?" I asked, surprised.
eyes, Sir Waverland am here" he an
swered gaily, shaking my hand with
hearty good will. II came to give you my
congratulations on this most eventful oc-
casion!'
"How did you know of the event?
mot quite so fast, he said, laughing.
zone question at time" heard through
the papers that you had returned and
when the grand ceremony was to take
place. | came from Paris and the Duke
of Melvorne, asked me here" he contin-
ued.
81 am very glad to see you," said, ''but
1 supposed you were in America before
this"
yusu tnen Or w rem Jolneu us, saying.
Lloyd, they are waiting for you at the
house."
Eyes, Sir Wren," I answered, "allow
me to introduce my friend, Colonel
Haynes, of New York, Sir Wren;" then
left them to entertain each other.
After a short time to dress for the i'm
portant ceremony, we were summoned to
Lady Irving's private parlor. From there
we followed the attendants to the vine
covered arbor that had been decorated for
the bridal occasion. Sir Wren led out the
beautiful brides, oEs on either arm. for he
cIalmeu the right to giving them both
away. The bishop, clad in the robes
his sacred office, pronounced the solemn,
! words that were to bind our hearts and
our lives in one. Then the golden band OF
love, emblem of eternity, was placed upon
! the little hand, a seal Of spoken vows A
moments silence with a blessing on the
new mode ties, and then came the merry
cong ms. Sir Wren secured the
first Xxi -.uin each fair bride, saying:
II must have pay for my precious gifts"
For one moment I held my wife to my
bosom, saying, milne, all mine, at lastr'
Stella made no answer but her look of