The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-04-05
low; "she has beauty, high spirit, not a
dollar, and will inherit-debts!'


dollar, and will inherit-debts!'
Nonsense, Brother Standish!" began
the minated voice in the apprehension
key; but it gradually changed the pitch,
as curiosity overcame even combatlve-
ness But, good gracious! where can
she be? Romping about the woods. l
presume; and this her wedding day"
As if in answer a fresh, girlish voice
hoated through the windows, in the
bright notes of Comm Thro' thssRye,"
a light step bounded on the porch and
stopped abruptly as the song ceased.
Grim off the big leaves, Thomas, be-
fore you bring them ill.," the voice cried;
and Bonnie Standish bounded into the
room, her arms full of flowers and forest
leaves, her big garden hat falling back
from masses Of golden nair, blown about
a fair young face flushed with exercise
and health.
She was by no means one of those
beauties who set sentimental poets
dreaming, or make young artists rave
for prohles. But she was fresh, viva
cious girl, with the grace of womanhood
and the charm of childhood. A COM
pleXion of milk and Strawberries was
toned by q piquant sauciness and PRIDE
combined; while the deep blue eyes, nat
urally twinkling with merriment, had
in them something that spoke of strong
will, scarcely educated to control, which
might on occasion flash out of them
| dangerously.
A willowy figure, quite plump enough
for symmetry, completed an attractive
picture, if not very striking one. Early
left motherless, Bennie's father had I'M
ceasingly and unreasoningly spoiled her,
while his sister-in-law's alternating ten
derness and severity were regarded
rather as a jest than restraint.
Care and money had both been law
ished to give Bonnie those accomplish
ments that fit our young ladies so per-
fectly for brides, if not for wives; and
it was due to her innate truth of nature
and her clear intuitions of right and
wrong that they had left her the pure
hearted girl she was. A finishing trip to
Europe, lasting two years, had returned
her heart whole, quick witted, and not
little reckless; but that often misused
and meaning term fast" had never
been coupled with any act of hers.
Mr.. Standish let his easy going dispo
sition dominate all his business habits
, and it left him this year heavily in
volved, especially to the wealthy south
ern planter whose partner he had become
: in cotton speculation. This Mr.. Beverly
, Mason had migrated to the southwes
, and had largely prospered there. Gen
! orally accounted the very hardest o
4 creditors, he had shown peculiar lenienc,
: in this Casa mystery that was cleared
q by his proposal, after much delay ant
with unwonted shyness, to make tn
a hope of the Standish household the hea'
: of his own.
At first Bonnie herself seemed strange
@ ly indifferent to the proposed arrange
A ments, regarding them as future pos
sibility. She had contented herself wit
v a few fippant speeches, but Miss Ia
s bitha had raised the song of triumph
d only checking the jubilant strain lon
# enough to reproach her brother-in-la'
n for not joining loudly in the chorus.
!. Vague rumors of coming trouble b.
r tween the states of the Union had has
le ened Mr. Mason, summer though it wa
If to New Orleans on matters of momen
l. and, fearing to leave so tempting prii
% behind during indefinite absence, he ha
warmly pressed for an immediate ma
% riage. Again Miss Fay had override
$. her brothers feebly opposed objection
h, and again Bonnie had made no decide
ID remonstrance. AT times she would ia
g into absent moods, suddenly wahir
Ia into bitter vein and deriding the stu
ton with mocking laughter, that lie
at the sting under it after the echo h;
o. died away
a So it fell cut that on this bright Ju
ne day every preparation was complete f
uniting May and December at the lit
,r. church near by. Miss Fay's trium
he was completed by the summoning of
eli famous bishop to perform the rite. L
Ike wedding was to take place at sunset, a
the happy pair were to take the event
ON boat for New York. Mr.. Standish hi
however, insisted On oHo pOlHu, III
NO which all the spinster's 'Song of Judit
zee could not move him. The hasty nj
ns tails were to be as quiet and private
ait it was possible to keep them.
All that morning the bride elect h
rth seemed perfectly happy; indeed, RET
". lessly gay and quite nnwomanly,"
nix Miss Fay described her mood.
Smell those, you dear old papa"
it'll cried, rosy and painting, as she opel
he her plump arms and dropped their t
ng: grant load upon the floor. And then
ar, arms locked tightly around the old ma
me neck one instant, ere she turned to
aunt:
e." See, Tab, what a rent I've made in
hat skirt. But I've had my last scam
not over the dear old hills until come ba
liss if ever-Mrs. Beverly Mason!"
her The rich, musical laugh, rounding
nu- words as though they were too goo
rye Joke to keep, stopped with stra
abruptness, and no laughter in the e
fish bore it company. Standish bent dc
be- and pressed his lips to the flushed br'