Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-04-07

''How romantic!" SAID LIZZIE.
al don't believe you have any heartW
l cried, Indignantly.
''Not the tiniest, tlniest Bit" she
said, with perfect good humor; "but,
Bessie, if there is another, can't have
Mr.. Gordon2"
"You ridiculous baby" l said, "you
need not ask my permission. | wouldn't
marry him if had never heard Of 'an-
other"
But, after all, it was rather notifying
to my vanity to see how readily she
could make my lifelong lover her slave.
She was so pretty, and her mourning
was the merest preteuss-just enough
black to set off her dazzling complexion,
and she knew we'll the power Of beauty.
Then her childlike, innocent ways were
attractive to the elderly adorer I had
always kept at distance. She sing for
him, waltzed with him, devoured his
bon bons by the box, fattered him, and
when he threw his fortune and himself
at her feet, she accepted him.
think papa was secretly delighted
He was accustomed to my quiet ways,
and this dancing, singing fairy fitting
about rather bewildered him. We were
rather old.fashioned folks, papa and l,
and my cousin had considerable "girl-
e-period" about her.
1t was just before Lent that Lizzie
told us of her engagement, and as Mr.
GoriOn urged an early wedding day, it
was decided that the week following
Easter should make him "the happy
man" of a gorgeous wedding.
Papa was liberal, aud my Leuten du.
ties were sadly upset by the preparations
for a grand reception after the church
wedding. 1t was perfect delight to
Lizzie to throw of her black dress and
try on the pretty fnery that papa gave
me permission to provide. She was not
exacting, accepting what selected, but
had orders to be generous, and between
us we had ready trousseau of which
Mrs. Gordon need not be ashamed.
Eut on Easter Day, when could not
quite detach my heart from earthly mat
ters, watched eagerly for Herbert's
present. had made no secret Of this
little ray of hope that came to me, and
father only grunted when 1 displayed
my trihing presents.
was in my room alone when this one
came-a little box, such as had twice
before opened. And on the pink cotton
a dainty crystal egg. Two lay in my
level box; one with tiny locket, one
with golden cross, inside. l opened
this one! My heart gave one sickening
throb, and the whole room seemed to
reel about me. When my sight was
once more clear, saw on the pretty
pink cotton the ring l had given Her
bert Wilsoul There could be no mis-
takel There it lay, mocking me with
its tiny clasp hands and entwined ini-
tials. He was false to me! Some fairer
face had won his heart, aud he had sent
my ring back to mel
It had never been my habit to show
my feelings on any occasion, so l closed
up the pretty crystal egg, locked 1t
away in my jewel box, aud went down to
dinner. Father noticed that was very
pale. but accepted triAing headache as
an excuse, and Lizzie made no comment.
She was deep in the study of our visiting
list. and adding a few cards to those al
ready sent out.
The next week was all a whirl. Some.
how did manage to push back my per-
sonality aud give myself to mY cousin.
The duties of hospitality were pressing,
for we had hidden all our "dear five
hundred friends" to the wedding, and
to the reception afterward. l had es'
caued bridesmaids position by pleading
that of hostess; but was very busy, and
only at night could let my sorrow have
;ts wav. How much / had loved, how
perfectly had trusted Herbert, learned
in those days, when all my love and
trust seemed thrust back upon my own
heart. The last drop was added to my
cup of misery the very day before Lizzie's
wedding. Father came home earlier
than usual, and came to my room.
"Bessie, my DEAR" he said, 'Yheara
some news to-day that will come to you
sooner or later, and l thought I could
tell it more kindly than any one e.se."
ssBert is married." / thought, but |
cosdd not speak the cruel words.