Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-03-03

"Look at my wedding ring" said the
wild little gypsy, holding up her pretty,
taper finger. "Yes, married really and
actually married l am Mrs. Allaire
now," with an amusing assumption OF
matronly dignity.
"But Cousin Fred"
"Cousin Fred may help himself If he
can" said Genevra, audaciously. "Per-
haps yon don't know, Jenny, that Cousin
| Fred himself means to be married very
soon.
Gerevieve turned pSle.
"Genevral" cried she. "You can't
mean thata"
"Poor little GenevieveH consOled
Genevra. "But you will not lose your
home. You must come and live with me
and Charley"
'I could not do that. said Genevieve,
giddy and confused with the unexpected
succession of startling news, "I-I
must look out for situation IN some
school or as companion or nursery gov
ernessl But oh, Genevra, are you quite
sure about Fred2"
al heard the old housekeeper talking
to the coachman, when | was waiting,
down behind the shrubbery, for Captain
Allaire to come" said Genevra, with a
nod of her pretty head. "She said he
had told her himself and had instructed
her what rooms to prepare and what al
teraticns to make in the household ar
rangements, for his coming marriage" "
"I wonder who it can be-" said Gene
We've, sadly.
"Miss Hilyard, of COURSE" said Gen.
evra, "or else that beautiful Mrs. St.
Dean. But the least thing he could
have done was to have conided in us, |
think, and that's one reason decided
to elope. And Charley is coming up
this evening, and we are to take the train
to St. Vincent, and, oh, dear Jenny, !"
with burst of sparkling tears, "the
world ls so full of happiness to rael"
And Geuevieve could but caress the
beautiful. willful young creature who
had taken life's helm SO recklessly into
her hands, and hope, in a choking voice,
that she might be very, very happy.
Cousin Fred listened very philosophic-
ally to Genevra's confession, half an hour
later.
"Married, are you9" said he. "Well,
if you had asked my advice, l should
have given a contrary verdict. But, as
you didn't consult me, why, l shall have
to be like the 'heavy fathers on the
stage and give you my blessing. Allaire
is clever fellow enough, although he
has been very gay, and l hope you will
steady him down, at last"
So, the newly married pair went away,
as thoughtlessly happy as two school
children out for picnic, and Genevieve
was left alone with Fred, to wonder how
she could best break to him the resolu-
ton at which she had arrived. For she
knew thai she could never remain at the
Hill when beautiful Mrs. St. Dean OF
Alicia Hilyard should either of them be
the mistress there.
"It would kill me-" she thought,
clasping her hands. Eyes, it would kill
mel"
Mr.. Barne: had turned kindly to her,
and led her to seat beside the win
dow.
"You are pale, Genevieve," be said.
"Your hands are as cold as ice. Surely,
you do not take this mad freak of little
Gypsy's so bitterly to hearth Never
fear for her; she's butterfly who will sip
honey from all life's garden ground.
Her nature is light aud irothy; far diff
ferent, Genevieve, from yours. Sit
down, little cousin; l have much to say
to you"
"Now," thought poor Genevieve,
With her color changing from scarlet to
white-"now it is comlngl l shall be
politely dismissed from the only home
have!"
And a sensation of ipdescribable lone.
illness passed through her heart as she
pictured Genevra radiantly happy with
her captain of artillery, Cousin Fred
1
secure in the love of some stately and
beautiful woman, herself only left out in
the cold of ife's dreariest vale, an un-
loved and solitary old maid. But she
spoke nothing OF all these sickening
fears; only looked at him, with wistful
dark eyes, in silence.
"Genevieve," SAID he, edo you think
it would be wild and foolish dream for
me to think of marriage9'
"YouG On, no." she answered, try.
ing to smile.
"But am three aud thirty"
"You are only in the prime and full
ness of life," she responded-"for
man. With women," signing softly,
"everything is so different. But,
Cousin Fred, if you really intend marry
ing"
III really do, he said, smiling gravely.
"Then l shall not DO longer in your
way" she said valiantly. ~ will leave
Barnet Hill at once"
"But that's just what don't want
you to do, Genevieve," he said, with he'
hand still closely held in his. "Dear