The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-04-25

i1uNS "AAOSC Ch0IN ODIVSI lOhSlA JAIN
some .=arful memory 10 lis daughter;
and when, soon after. he died, Aunt
Lcttie came TO live with US in Cromer.
During the next few days l could
think and talk of rothing save the conf
ing masquerade and Jacks return.
But be the day never so weary or long.
AT length IT ringeth to evensong.
And 50 at length the eventful evening
arrived. Aunt and mother dressed me
in petticoat and train of loyeiiest white
brocade, trimmed with filmy Honiton
lace. Mother dropped many a furtive
tear, recalling the bride that was TO
have been, whose romance of love wa
cut short in such a mysterious fashion,:
but unit said never a WORD till l was
dressed, and then, turning to my moth
er, she exclaimed:
she looks better. Mary, than l should
have done: and. after all, you see, it
has NOT been utterly wasted. But you
must let me powder your hair, Lettie.
Everyone wore powder when l was
young"
At last I was ready, just as the lum-
bering old chariot drew up 10 the door.
With parting advice from my mother
and strict i~niunctions not to damage
my precious dress | was started, Martha
and all the maids being gathered IN the
hall to see me off, gaping in open
mouthed wonder ut my unwonted SPLEEN
dor. | am an old, old woman now. bat
when l close my eyes l perceive every
detail, even to the minutest. of that
night as if it were but yesterday. The
drive to the hall, the hedges and trees
sparkling with frost in the brilliant
moonlight; the hammer, hammer Of the
horses hoofs upon the i%ron-bound road.
The first sight of the hall as we drove
up the avenue, all it's windows illumi-
mated; the faint SOUND of -he music
borne upon the still night air; then the
entry into the brilliantly-lighted rooms:
Sir John and Lady Pcndarycs' hearty
wclcome-all come back to me now. |
suppose my entrance made 4 sensation.
| was conscious of a buzz of admira-
ton as l passed through the assembled
guests.
why, Lettie, my dear" exclaimed
Lady Pendarves, how beautiful you
look. l declare your hoops and powder
become you nightly. But come along,
child, let me take you TO Jack; he has
been asking for you ever since he came
back" And. taking my hand in her
jeweled one, "Lcttie. my dear, if you
could"
Just At this moment up anne Jack
Maj. Pendarvcs he is now. looking
handsome in his husSar uniform. vet
just the same merry, smiling Jack of
old. He was my partner il the new
dance, called the vaise, Just introduced
from abroaG-a dance that my mother
did not quite approve, as she considered
it too familiar for young men and maid
ems; but which l found very agreeable
with Jack for partner.
We'll, Lcttie, you have grown quite
a woman now, and l suppose have quite
forgotten your old sweetheart"
"Oh, Jack, how can you? have my
half here" touching my pocket; can
you say as much?"
Yes. dear, that | can. l have never
parted with it; it has been with me
through every battlc-my talisman of
safety and love"
What need to tell again the old story,
ever sweet. that men will love TO tell
and women TO hear Is long as the world
endures; suffice ii that ere the dance
had ended l had promised to be his
wife.
"Oh, Jack" | said. as be was leading
me back TO Lady PenGarves. Il felt al
most wicked to accept you. You know
l have not a penny; and my dress" l
added with a laugh. lis Aunt Lettic's."
Il don't care if YOU haven't a penny.
l have enough for both; and Iwantyou
for yourself, ard not your money"
Lady Pcndaryes was delighted, and
Sir John was kind; and 50 it was SET
tied that, with my mothers permission,
we were to be married ere Jack rejoined
his regiment.
And now" said Lady Pendarves,
you must really so ard dance with
some of the other guests and leave Let
tie I o me"
l vas sitting, OH, % happy, by Sir
John, who was making all sorts of plans
for our future, when | saw n tall gentle
man, dressed in foreign uniform, max
irg his Il through the guests toward
the recess where we We're. l had 10
ticcd him several times before in the
course of the evening regarding me most
a;,entivCly.
As he was evidently coming to speak
to Us, | said:
Who is this gentleman, Sir John?"
'Oh. my dear, Il Mr.-Mr.- Tut, tut,
l forget his name for the moment, a
of Jacks who came over from
with him and is staying 4 few
days with us
BY this time the gentleman had made
his way across the hall, and stood bow
ing to us.
May l have the honor of this dance?"
he inquired.
l was going TO reply NO" for i
wantedtoresttill Jack came back 20 me.
when Sir John said: Yes, Lettic.
child, do" so. Of course, l was obliged
TO say: With pleasure"
Ny partner who was certainly I'M
handsome and tall, almost
rs handsome and tall as Jack. only