Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-07-27
passed in quiet happiness with her w.d-

enteenth year, nrSt saw anu became inter-
ested in her; but it is not to be supposed
that she felt drawn toward him ut that
time.
Her mother, however, who was still
far from old, took sudden and great
liking to the boy, and when she dlscoy-
cred his manifest preference for her
child, gravely, and even earnestly, de-
cared to him that it should be the one
great object of her life to train her up to
be worthy of his love.
Eugene was delighted, and from that
moment not only the more diligently
worshiped his little friend, but included
her mother in his devotion.
And so the years passed-happy, joyous
years, with hardly care. But at
length msfortunes came, and the young
lover lost fa'her and fortune at the same
moment.
Then, through his uncle's influence, he
became book-keerer IN the Atlantic
National Bank.
How he lost his situation we already
know. and we also know with what tender
solcltude Mildred who had long since
learned to love him with all her heart,
had flown to his side, to be with and 10
comfort him.
Time sped swiftly by; the wedding
day was fixed, and was rapidly approach
ing.
The only question that had not been
settled was the place whore the ceremony
should be performed, Should it be at the
widows cottage in New En- gland, or at
the brides aunt's in New York?
Il sm afraid, love-" said Eugene, one
evening, when this question was brought
up, Il am afraid that it will have to be
here, though I should like SO much to be
married at your own dear home, whero
we have both known so much Of happi-
ness"
And why can't WEI"
why, you see, dear, we are so busy
now l am wanted at the publishing
house every moment in the day, and hav-
ing been there so short time, hardly
see my way clear to asking for leave OF
absence, even with so important an object
in view as taking 10 myself wife. So L
think your mother had Better come down,
and that the ceremony had better be
quietly performed in the even ng, after
the business of the day is over
But l fear mamma may not be well
enou h to come down, objected Mildred.
Not we'll enoush?" repeated Eugene,
wonderingly.
"Ah!" sighed Mildred, you don't know
how fast she hes been failing lately.
Why, she can no longer go out of doors.
1t is even as much IS she can do TO get
from one room into another at times.
Good heavensi" he exclaimed, that's
b ID. 1 am very sorry to hear that; and
then, af er considering for a moment,
but, dear, we must have her with us
some way"
Il fear she'll think it best not to at
tempt to come to the wedding, said Mill
dred "but she may come to us after we
return from our bridal trip"
Il am afraid you have not quite under
stood me, Mildred, said Eugepe, gently;
I'VE sha'nt have much of a bridal trip,
What! Not have any bridal trip at
all?" exclaimed Mildred, in disapl oint-
cd tone.
~Wby really, my darling, don't quite
see how we could h,ve much of one, any
way" he responded.
In the first place, as You see, can't
very we'll get the time, and if, as great
ly desire, we 90 to housekeeping at once,
as my friend Raymond Fielding and his
sister have done. why, we shall require
all my surplus cash TO purchase our fitting
out.
"It will hardly seem like getting mar
ed, not to have q wedding Trip" mused
Mildred; "but l can very vel zee that it
will hardly be practicable or wise to un.
dertake one"
Il knew you would look at it in that
light, my darling" exclaimed Eugene,
approvingly, and now about your moth
er, Mildred; let US settle that.
"Ahl 1 will write 10 her at once, and
find out what suggestions she has 10 oaer.
But, say, Eugene, couldn't we take the
4 or the 430 train up, get married at our
house in the evening, and then return by
the early train the next morningT
~Wby-yes; 1 think we might possibly
manage that. At any rate, write and SET
what your mother says, and when we set
her answer We can settle all details more
intelligently.
Mildred did write that very night be-
fore preparing for bed. and two days late,
the answer came.
Mrs. Lester professed hers If as very
much surprised at the haste the young
couple we've making, but did not attempt
10 dissuade them from carrying out their
plln.
One thing, howev r, SIZE made very
clear. She could not possibly Lear the
excitement of wedding taking plac9 in
her house.
She suggested, therefore, that they
should be quietly married at her sisters;
have a br of +, ception aitecward, if per-
fe tly agreeable TO Ii r, and then take
lase train to Riverside, and spend ono
night at the cottage.
After they had been married month
or so, she further said, she would if they
wished it, rent her tile cottage and
make her future hone with them.
AS nothing better could De done, they
concluded to act wholly on Mrs. Testers
Mrs. Vernon, Mildred's aunt, cheer
fully consented 10 h.ye the wedding and
reception take place in her parlols, and
so tle necessary arrangement were made,
and the invitations sent out
1t was not their intention to ask great
many to congratulate them but Eugene's
acquaintance in the city was large, and
Mrs. Vernon had a host of friends, whom,
she said, it would not do TO slight on
such an occasion.
So that, when the list came to be re-
vised for the last time before the event
ful day, they found there was still quite
an army left, after dlopping every name
they could find any excuse for rejecting.
At last the wedding day arrived. Eugene
had seen Ray the night lefole, and re-
ceived from him the assurance that he
woald be promptly on hand.
"As for Meta, poor girl" he had said,
"I don't know whether it will be possible
for her TO g resent or not. She hasn't
been at all we'll for some days past, AMI
when I lett her this evening she said sh3
hardly thought she should try 10 sit up