The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-04-22
THE WEDDING DRESS.

HOW Wcll L fememDer III ull we
were sitting round the fire In the oak
phrlor of the old Dover House ut
Cromer--m mother, Aunt Lettic, aud |.
Dear Aunt Lsttie how beautiful she
was still despite her snow-whito hair
and though she was 3S, her complexion
was ns fresh and bright IA any young
girls. We were chattering over the
peace just procaimed--the peace that
ended the long war with France the
war that lasted twenty years.
must tell something of my dear
aunt's life, that you may understand
why my mother and | were touched
to surprise. Twenty years before my
aunt, then 1S, and the Belle of Daw-
ish (some said of Devonshirc) was en-
gagged to be married to handsome
Gilbert Trcsillian. 1t was splendid
match in every way, for he was young,
rich, nmiable he was an orphan, I'M
troubled with any undesirable rela-
tives; and, moreover, lie had an ample
income arising from money in the
Funds. Gilbert Tresllian came to
stay in Dawlish, where my grand
father then lived, Mt the Mill house,
a charming old place some four miles
from the town surrounded by magniii-
cent gardens, sloping terrace to the
sea-gardens the admiration of the
West country. The day before the
wedding he spent there, returning in
the evening to the Red Lion at Daw-
lish. My aunt walked with him about
mile through the gardens, where
they parted until the morrow; and
from that moment Gilbert Tresillian
was not seen or heard of again.
He disappeared as completely from
tho mortal ken as though the
earth had opened aud swallowed
him. The country was secured, the
shore beneath the cliff was searched
but not tho slightest trace could be
found. My poor aunt came near to
die with brain fever; and when she
recovered, her beautiful hair was as
white AZ snow. My grandfather re-
moved from place whose every OBJ
ject brought back some fearful men,
ory to his daughter; and when, soon
after he died, Aunt Lettie came to
live with us in Cromer. Though only
a little thing recall perfectly the
day she came, for 1 thought l had
never seen any one so sweet and yet
so sad. None had ever heard Aunt
Lettie laugh, none had ever seen her
smile, yet she was cheerful always,
and ready to help every one. All this
happened twenty years ago and though
many had sought her hand she was
still true to tho memory OF Gilbert
Tresillian.
During tho next few days I coul d
think and talk of nothing save tho
coming masquerade, and Jacks re.
turn.
But be the day never so weary or long,
At length 1t ringeth to evensong.
And so at length the eventful even
ing arrived. Aunt and mother dressed
me in petticoat and train of loveliest
white brocade, trimmed with filmy
Honiton lace. Mother dropped many
a furtive tear, recalling the bride that
was to have been, whose romance o!
love was cut short in such q mysteri.
Gus fashion; but aunt said never Q
word till was dressed, and then,
turning to my mother she exclaimed
| "She looks better, Mary, than
should have done: and after all, you
see, it has not been utterly wasted. But
You must let me powder your hair
Lettie, every one wore powder when
was young"
I was sitting, oh, SO happy, by Sil
John, who was making all sorts O.
plans for our future. when saw q tai
gentleman, dressed in foreign uni
form, making his way through tn
guests toward the recess where w
were. ! had noticed him several time
before in the course of the evening
regarding me most attentively.
Az he MAS evidently coming to spsal
to ", ] said;
Il "Who u this gentleman, Sir joint