The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1893-07-29

For all Montmorency knew, his fair
fiancee might be charming young
woman; but somehow-poor fellow!-
he had never felt quite at his ease in
her presence since the day she had pas
sively allowed him to slip the brilliant
solitaire, still unpaid for, upon the slim
third finger Of her small left hand.
One afternoon, however, it chanced
that the two were sitting alone togeth-
er, side by side, and Montmorency was
emboldened to let his arm slip down
from the back of the sofa upon which
it had been resting, and, encircling her
slender waist, he bent forward to press
a lover-like salute upon the tempting
cheek.
The first attempt at gallantry was
met by sudden and stinging repulse.
With the vigorous box which fell upon
his ear it seemed, for moment, that the
room had turned upside down. Then,
| as things righted themselves and his
scattered wits returned, Montmorency
saw his fiancee erect before him with
angry eyes and flaming face.
Don't dare to touch me! Do you
hear?'' she cried. ''Oh, hate you! l
hate you! What shall do?"
"You hate me-" Montmorency echoed.
in slow, puzzled way, land yet you're
going to marry me! Why, what does it
all mean?"
Her slim fingers were interlacing
nervously.
II cannot help it," she said, half def
antly, half in desperation. ''They will
have 1t SO! But, until then-until then,
at least-you shall not touch me! | will
not permit it!' ag
A great light broke in upon Montmo.
rency's slow intelligence, and with it
all shadow of resentment died away.
Poor girl! I'm sorry" he said, simply.
You see, there are-two of us in this
fix. Come, let's talk it over reasonabl
Isn't there something we can do?"
After this breezy little episode, to
which, fortunately, there had been no
witnesses, tranquility was restored.
Nay, more, certain cordial under
standing seemed to exist between the
engaged couple, which the fond parents
OF the bride-elect regarded with evident
delight.
Instead of avoiding Montmorency, as
she had done at first, Edna now actual
ly betrayed impatience If he failed to
come at the accustomed hour. .Myste-
rious letters frequently passed between
them; and the girl no longer invented
impossible excuses to avoid the tete- "a
tete drives with her betrothed in his
jaunty turnout.
One beautiful, bright September
morning, however, Montmorency, ap-
pearing rather earlier than usual, re-
ceived the intelligence that sudden
indisposition would prevent his fair
flancee from accompanying him upon
his drive. After expressing much re-
gret and promising to return in the
hope of seeing her later in the day,
Montmorency drove away alone. Once
out OF sight of the hotel, he whipped
up his horse and fairly flew along the
level road, until, just beyond turning,
Edna herself appeared, all smiles and
sudden bushes. He paused then, but
only long enough to help her up beside
him, and, more swiftly than ever, they
spun away, until he drew up at last
before quiet country church, where a
good-looking young stranger from the
west was awaiting them with hardly
repressed impatience.
"A hurried, ecstatic conversation fol-
lowed, and then the trio hastened up
the aisle together to where the fore
warned minister, with his witnesses,
stood in readiness.
The marriage service was begun, and
at the question: ''Who giveth this
woman to be married to this man."
Montmorency stepped forward, and,
with an elegant air of Importance and
satisfaction, he placed the hand of his
beautiful betrothed into that of the
other fellow.
The brief ceremony was ended, and
when they were again in the vestibule.
the smiling bride turned to Montmor-
ency with outstretched hands.
You are more than gentleman.
you're a perfect angel! she cried.
I'VE never could have done it without
you; Observation-Disclosures may kiss me
now, if you likcl
Its awfully hard on the dear old
people, /" she continued, regretfully, after
the short pause caused by Montmor-
ency's now permitted salute. But
they can't help forgiving their only
child by and by, for, after all, their
greatest desire was for my happiness.
Only they wanted to see it accomplished
IN their own way, and they couldn't be-
ieve that I'd never be happy with any
one but John, the dearest fellow in all
tie world" smiling up at the radiant
bridegroom, though must say, Mont
morency, You do come next!'
Johns outburst of hearty gratitude
was cut short by Montmorency's OBJ
servation that train time was fast an
preaching. So, having seated them in
the dog-cart side by side, Montmorency
sprsng up in the groom's place behind,
and they drove away gayly to the near
est railroad station.
At the very last minute Edna slipped
something into Montmorency's hand.
I'm SO sorry, almost forgot it," she
said, "but here it is, and I'm sure you'll
NJ ~