Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-10-12
THEIR WEDDING DAY

this June morning. The sun was bright the sky cloudless. From the old gabled half timber cottages near the church the folks had hung colored pocket handker- chiefs, blue cloths, red flannel and what not - anything for gala appearance. There was also a string set across from the elm by the lich gate to the house of old Gunam, the sexton, and real bunting, pen mons, union jacks, and so forth, hung from the string and fluttered gently in the sum mer breeze Cbief decoration of all, how ever, was the arch of evergrcens studded with roses just outside the red brick house of the Darlings. It bore the words Joy be with thee,' done in white carnations.
 Eva Darling was the bride. Her mother had occupied the Retreat-as the red house with the high walls around it was called for about 10 years. She was a widow, and Eva was her only child
 When first the Darlings came to Tong, the villagers did not half care for the newcom- CTS. Mrs Darling kept herself to herself deal too much for their brides comfort But as Eva grew from girl of 10 to a girl of l5 l6 and II there was no standing against her charms. There was a governess for her in those days. Despite the laws of the Re treat, however, on the subject of inter course with the villagers, the girl went to and fro with basket and in short played the part of ministering angel extremely well. Thus she won the hearts of the sim pie but strongly preiudiced people.
 It was only with the gentry of the Great House that &IrS, Darling cared to associate The Great House stood a mile from the church across q spacious reach of undulat- Ing parkland, with pond and river in it and some remarkably fine trees Great House was just the phrase forit. There were about % windows in front for the sun to stare at. It stretched like n white but trcss between the green of the parkland and the dark wooded hill behind it.
 No one could say the treat House wa, a handsome place. Mrs. Darling was not concerned with mere architectural beau ties. From the first, when she knew there were two young masculine Dantins in he family respectively three and four years older than her dau Ghter, this lady was re solved that one of them should marry Eva Of course the elder son was to be preferred but as the younger was rich by inheritance from the mother it would not matter so very much which made he girl Mrs Dan tin.
 They were young men of very opposite characters these Dantins It is always the case when there are but two in the family Nature seems determined that the type ~hall then be varied much as possible Philip, the clder was Studious and fond of scientific pursuits At Oxford he had kent
  was good looking fellow, but wore spectacles; slow to be angered, but with a temper that when reused was capable of dark deeds. He was slow in other respects also. Thus for awhile he was sorelv dis tresScd when he heard that his brother Jack had wooed and won Eva Darling ere he had settled in his own mind that he himself was ripe for marriage with the same girl. Anon he seemed to smother the resentment he could hardly help feel ing, but it was mere "seeming;" his jeal- ou>y burned his heart.
 As for Jack Dantin. he was the very fellow to secure girl like Eva He cared nothing for insects and butterflies, but everything for athletic pursuits and pretty faces. He was handsome lad, frank and generous. He knew early in his courtShip that he had but to ask Eva to marry him ! The girls dark eyes could not keep their secret; her cheek. too. told of it with a blush every time they met. And so they had plighted their truth and were duly 10 Ge married this June morning. They were likely to make very comedy couple at the altar, with the great tombs of departed Dantins north and south of them.
 Meanwhile though everything was quite ready for the bridal procession to leave the Retreat and cross the road, there was delay. It was to be quiet wedding \ dozen friends of the Darlings were in the drawing room talking and smiling and enjoying the perfume of the flowers which lay on the tables. still there was clearly q hitch somewhere. The smiles were some what forced, and the guests fell silent sud denly now and then.
 Mrs. Darling made civil forays into their midst at intervals. She was evidently q strong minded woman, as was indicated by her composed manner, her hard. incisive tones, and her cold searching blue eyes.
 Some one was caught whispering, Will it not have to be postponed:'
 The words reached Mrs Darlings ears Oh, nu," she replied promptly, with an icy but sparkling smile. Dear Eva is quite satisfied that John Dantin will not fail to be present. He is a man of his word
 ''leS, but dear Mrs. Darling, it is so very odd. this sudden disappearance, objected one of the guests.
 Three days ago. added Mrs Darling. Yes, there's no denying it. But Jack Dantin is odd fellow, though an excel lent one besides"
 Here Eva herself entered the drawing room, and all eyes sped toward her. An audible murmur of satisfaction arose, and certain men of the party envied the bride groom involuntarily. She was a beautiful bride undeuiably. Though pale and dis turbed, as any maiden in her place would nave Dtt'll- lllCTt NtN SllCu sweetness Tn her expression that for the moment people forgot that she had cause for anxiety. Three or four damsels of her own age crowded about her, voluble with congratu- IationS.
 My dear,'' said her mother, it is quar- ter to II. We had better start"
 Eva's eyes asked the question that every one else was asking-"Has he comes''
 Do not fear, ;" was Mrs Darling's reply. h. 1.-in l,a IIa a,,-5n dare Then she stopped. There had been a momentaIy flash in her eyes of z very pugnacious kind.
 And so the procession formed and wake over the crimson cloth which stretched from the porch to the garden gate. wher, the motto, Joy be with your looked dowI on them. A gust of wind set the pocke handkerchiefs and bits of flannel fiutterin. merrily. A murmur of voices also greeted the brides appearance. About once in hal a century Tong saw wedding of this kind It was a spectacle by no means to be lost A certain bedridden Nillager had been car ried into the bit of a garden in front of hi cottage, bedding and all, to behold tn sight.
 Twenty paces brought them to th churchyard gate. The graves were nic and green, and the sheep nibbling amOn them did not seem at all frightened b so much human company. Thus the passed into the church, not without man a furtive glance over the park toward tn Great House, which, at Mr. Dantin's bid ding, was flying the royal banner in spite O young Jack absence.
 Inside, they were met with almost caressing tenderness by MT. Dantin and sad shake of the head. 'I am sorry,'' h. said to Mrs. Darling, that your resolution was not to be shaken"
 The lady tossed her head slightly aut