The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-06-02
married manP'


'Surely you must be mistaking him
for some one elsew
shook my head.
HE has to striking physique for me
to mistake him. said sadly.
'What william the man must bel" ex-
claimed Mary, hotly.
Hush, he'll hear you!n
81 don't mind if he does.'
care you quite sure that he has tried
to win Amy's regard?"
"My Gear Eva, no man could possibly
have paid a girl more marked attention
than he has paid Amy.
Certainly the confidential manner in
which Mr.. Smith was then talking to my
niece bore out my sisters statement.
"Poor childr' mm INJURED.
eyes. am afraid it will upset her ter
ribly. l really don't know how 1 shall
break 1t to her"
"For goodness sake, Mary, don't tell
her the truth! Her womanly delicacy
would receive such shock that she
might not get over it for years."
But what am l to do? l can't let the
affair go on"
Certainly notl Tell her that 1 know
something of this man, and from all that
l can gather he is not suitable friend
mountaineering had better cease"
dear, dearl l feel so dreadfully up
setl" exclaimed Mary.
At that moment the visitor came up to
speak to my sister.
''Good-by, Mrs. IretOn, and thanks
very much for all your hospitality. l
hope you will allow me to call upon you
as soon as you return to the city," he
said with calm assurance
"Good-by, Mr.. Smith, replied my
sister, Jelly, while she did not attempt to
take his proffered hand. 81 regret to
have to tell you that our circle of ac-
quaintance is already so large chat l do
not care to extend it,"
Mr.. Smith drew back with a somewhat
naughty gesture and turned to Amy.
Her face was flushed, and with downcast
eyes and nervously-clasped hands, she
stood looking the picture of distress. AS
Mr.. Smith glanced at her she timidly
raised her eyes to his. She was evident
ly to astonished too utter word. l
think he must have understood her 81
leDce to mean acquiescence in his ban
ishment, for with naughty "Good even
ing, then, ladies'" he withdrew.
''Oh, mother, whatever made you treat
him like that?" cried Amy, as the clos
ing of the front door assured us that the
young man had left the house.
"My dear child, your aunt knows
something of him, and she says he is not
at all desirable friend for the boys"
"Then think it would have been bet
ter if my aunt Eva bad told him to his
face what she had against him, instead
of having him dismissed in such man
ner."
Tears of resentment stood in Amy's
eyes, and notwithstanding the angry
glances she flashed at me, | pitied the
poor child sincerely.
Dear Amy, it is all for the BEST" said
Mrs. Ireton, kissing her daughter ten
derby. TRY not to think any more
about him, darling"
Amy drew herself up rather proudly.
Mr.. Smiths name was mentioned no
more in the girls presence. Neverthe-
less | could see that she did not forget
him. She grew paler and more listless
every day. Sometimes she tried to APP
pear in high spirits; but her gayety was
so forced that it deceived no one. l felt
heartily sorry for the child; STILL. l
could not comfort her III any way-in
fact, fancied my presence tended only
to remind her of the painful scene which
had taken place on the first day of my
arrival. Altogether, l was glad when
the Iretons returned to town and my
visit was brought to close.
l had arranged to stay with some
friends at Maidstone before returning
home. But even amid fresh scenes
Amy's sad face continued to haunt me.
After an absence of three months |
found myself being driven home one day
in afOur-wheeler. As | passed Clifton
Villa | looked out of the window. TO
my great establishment l saw red cloth
profusely sprinkled with rice, extending
from the front door to the kerbstone.
"Has there been wedding at Clifton
VillaY' | asked Bridget, before she had
finished expressing her delight at seeing
me.
"Sure, mem, Mrs. Smith herself was
wed this mornin'."
| dropped into chair, too amazed to
speak for moment.
"Mrs. Smith married this morning" l
at last exclaimed. Are you sure that
is really the truth, Bridget"
"Faith, mem, l am. She was wed to
Captain Raymond, and handsomer
couple never went to church,
"But how could Mrs. Smith be married
this morning when she was married
woman alreadyP"
Bridget so far forgot herself as to in
dulge in a burst of laughter.
"Sure and it was herself that was
widow" she gasped.
"Then Mr.. and Mrs. Smith are not
husband and wife?'
''No, mem. It's own brother and sis
ter they are"
''Oh, Bridget, how 1 wish had known
that beforel" 1 exclaimed, thinking with
the deepest regret of poor Amy.
Bridget only grinned. She evidently
thought it a capital joke, the more so
because she herself had been mistaken
as to the relationship of the pair until
one of the tradesmen had volunteered
the information that there was to be
wedding at Clifton Villa.
AS my niece's discontinue had been
entirely brought about by nay stupid
blunder, was naturally very anxious to
do my best to put matters to rights
again. So the next day l screwed up
courage and called upon my neighbor.
He received me very cOurteously.
"This is not the first time we have met
in a drawing-room, Mr.. Smith," l said,
after had introduced myself.
''Indeedn' he exclaimed, looking very
much puzzled.