The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-09-07
worshiped his little friend, but included

] ANA SO Inc years paSseu-uuppy, JoSous
years, with hardly care. But at
length misfortuncs came, and the young
lover lost ia her and fortune ut the same
| moment.
Then, through his uncle's influence, he
became q book-keeper IN the Atlantic
National Bank.
How he lost his situation We already
know, and we also know with what tender
solicitude Mildred, who had long since
learned to love him with all her heart,
had flown to his side, to be with and to
comfort him.
Time sped swiftly by; the wedding
day was fixed, and was rapidly approach
ing.
The only question that had not been
settled was the place where the ceremony
should be performed. Should it be at the
widows cottage in New England, or at
the brides aunt's in New York?
Il nm afraid, love-" said Eugene, one
evening, when this question was brought
up, I am afraid that It will have to be
here, though should like so much to be
married at your own dear home, where
we have both known SO much of happi-
ness"
And why can't we?"
why, you see, dear, we are 80 busy
now. I am wanted at the publishing
house every moment in the day. and hay
| ing been there so short q time, hardly
see my way clear to asking for leave of
absence, even with so important an object
in view as taking to myself wife. So
| think your mother had better come down,
and that the ceremony had better be
| quietly performed in the evening, after
| the business of the day is over.
But I fear mamma may not be we'll
enough to come down." objected Mildred.
Not we'll enough?" repeated Eugene,
wonderingly.
"Ah!" sighed Mildred, you don't know
how fast she has been failing lately.
Why, she can no longer 60 out of doors.
1t is even as much as she can do to get
from one room into another at times"
Good heavens!" he exclaimed, that's
bad. I am very sorry to hear that;' and
then, after considering for q moment,
but, dear, we must have her with US
some way"
I fear she'll think it best not to at
tempt to come to the wedding, said Mil
dred; but she may come to us after we
return from our bridal trip"
Il am afraid you have not quite under
stood me, Mildred" said Eugene, gently;
we sha'n't have much Of bridal trip, I
think"
what! Not have any bridal trip at
all?" exclaimed Mildred, in disappoint-
ed tone.
why, really, my darling, don't quite
see how We could have much of one, any
way" he responded.
In the first place, as you see, can't
very we'll get the time, and if, as great
ly desire, We 60 to house keeping at once,
as my friend Raymond Fielding and his
sister have done. why, We shall require
out"
1T will hardly seem like getting mar
red, not to have wedding trip" unused
Mildred; @but can very we'll see that it
will hardly be practicable or wise to un-
dertake one."
Il knew you would look at it in thet
light. my darling" exclaimed Eugene,
approvingly, and now about your moth
er, Mildred; let US settle that"
"Ahl I will write to her at once, and
find out what suggestions she has 10 offer.
But, say, Eugene, couldn't we take the
or the 4:30 train up. get married at our
house in the evening, and then return by
the easly train the next morning?"
1Why-yes; think We might possibly
manage that. At any rate, write and see
what your mother says, and when We get
her answer We can settle all details more
intelligently."
Mildred did write that very night be-
fore preparing for bed, and two days later
the answer came.
Mrs. Lester professed herself as very
much surprised at the haste the young
couple were making, but did not attempt
to dissuade them from carrying out their
plan.
One thing, however, she made very
clear. She could not possibly bear the
excitement of wedding taking place in
her house.
She suggested, therefore, that they
should be quietly married at her sisters;
have brief reception afterward, if per-
fettly agreeable to her, and then take a
late train to Riverside. and spend one
night at the cottage.
ifter they had been married month
or so, she further said, she would, if they
wished it, rent her little cottage, and
make her future home with them.
As nothing better could be done, they
concluded to act wholly on Mrs. Lester's
suggestions.
Mrs. Vernon, Mildred's aunt, cheer
fully consented to have the wedding and
reception take place in her parlors, and
so the necessary arrangements were made,
and the invitations sent out.
1t was not their intention to ask great
many to congratulate them; but Eugene's
acquaintance in the city was large, and
Mrs. Vernon had host of friends, whom,
she said, it would not do to slight On
snch an occasion.
SO that, when the list came to be re-
yised for the last time before the event.
full day, they found there was still quite
an army left, after dropping every name
they could find any excuse for rejecting.
Atlast the wedding day arrived. Eugene
had seen Ray the night before, AMI re-
ceived from him the assurance that he
would be promptly on hand.
"As for Meta. poor girl" he had said,
II don't know whether it will be possible
for her to te present or not. She hasn't
been at all we'll for some days past, and
when left her this evening she said she
hardly thought she should try to sit up
till my return; and, by Jove, old fellow,
if she don't let me in tonight, it will be
the first time she's missed since we've
kept house together"
The marriage was to take place at an
early hour, and only q favored few we're
to witness the ceremony.
The appointed hour arrived, the min
lister was on hand. They only waited for
Ray and Meta.
Five-ten-fifteen minutes passed, and
still the expected guests did not appear.
The minister looked impatientIy at his
watch; he had another engagement, and