Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1892-01-23
Malcolm HaVes's Wife.
BY AGNES EREWER

BY AGNES BREWER
It was the WEDDING OF the season. that
of Florence Ransom and Malcolm Hages.
The church was thron red with the elite
Of the great city, the maria bell was
composed Of flowers the whitest and
choicest, the favorite teuor yoncnsafel
his most musical notes; thc bride was !.
marvel Of beauty, awaiting whom stool
the groom in his Enolish morning cos
tune, calm and composed. He was the
least noticed Of ali the spectators III tie
drama, although none there were more
worthy Of recognition. For Il moment as
his eyes rested on the far vision az,
preaching him, q sudden fire snran, into
their sl'rnber2as dept}ls, tle coiog re
ceded from his face, leagiue, 1t very
white, and the hanj wnlcl was out
stretched to lead her 10 the altar felt cold
even through the lavender ki 4 .rlovc. bat
the voice which answered all the. solemn
questions betraye no tremor. Clear an.l
distinct it sounded through the entire
church ,and when it was over hey turned
arm in arm, it seemed indeed as though
the flowers, thrown by four little girls
IN purcst white upol their carpete Z
path, were not symoo,ical oi their future
1,E
wanting Only that which made it al
an empty sham: love,
year before, Miss Ransom had been
left an orphan, and, to Z ii to the poign-
ancy of her grief at losing her father (she
only parent she had ever known, sac
discovered that her annual income woul |
about represent the usual sum she cx.
pended for gloves anl flowers 1t wasa
frightful condition Of things. Her
father had been the senior member of
1the firm, the main branch OF which was
IN Calcutta. His sudden de,ta, leaving
his only daughter totally uaproyided
for, called meeting Of the he ads on the
ether side Of the water.
Zone of lis must do something for the
girl said Mr.. Howard, half laughing
and shaking his gray head. Il an
married, and consequently cannot assis,
her in that way. Suppose, Malcdn, you
| go over and assume this vacant place
and, if not too cnerous burden, tax
upon yourself the responsibilities Of ;
married man"
So young Hayes had accepted the sug
gestion so far rs assuming the duties o
the position, but with mental reservation
concerning the other. wnicl, however
after meeting Miss Ransom. seemed
entirely to fade from sight, and ende
in formal offer of heart and hand
Every one said il was Al aimirabl
arrangement, foy noae appeared to thinl
it possible there could be on her side
moments hesitation He did not seer
to consider 1t necessary to make any gres
demand upon her heart From Il
Calcutta firm came letters of congratu
lation and presents of incstimable value
There was little .ine for thou.it.in tt
hustle Of preparation ani inspection
the trousseau worthy princess, until
inally all ended il the usual form It
clash of marriage balls, wlic4, if tnt
rang diScorlantly on nny heart, . !.
husbands ear were musical eaou i; 4
distributing Of wedding -tavo-s. b.
q congratulations aui fareyelis. aud I"
, people destined 70 each o.hers soc.e-
, u ntil death, should strike one iron t
roll. Ended, did Sayf l should hay
said begun, since or the steps Of Il
altar the bride leaves her Waite robe
girlhooi's carelessness, ana assumes Il
mantle OF her wom&nhool
\ fortunate marriage Ain5lrlcoupl
This the worlds rcTiie;, anl seemin.l,
!, a correct one. ~, two years Lav.n
passed, their incer life blt corresponde
with that they led outNarily, aad !
clash ever marred its fair surface. Be-