The Coconino weekly sun., 1896-04-23

snow. My grandfather removed from place whose every object brought back some fearful memory to his daughter; and when, soon after, he died, Aunt Lettie came to live with us in Cromer.
 During the next few days I could think and talk of nothing save the com- ing masquerade and Jacks return,
 But be the day never so weary or long.
 At length 1t ringeth to evensong. | And so at length the eventful evening arrived. Aunt and mother dressed me in petticoat and train of loveliest white brocade, trimmed with filmy Honiton lace. Mother dropped many furtive tear, recalling the bride that was to have been, whose romance of love was cut short in such a mysterious fashion: but aunt said never a word till was dressed, and then, turning to my moth- CT, 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. Everyone wore powder when I was young"
 At last was ready, just as the lum- bering old chariot drew up to the door. With parting advice from my mother and strict injunctions 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 at my unwonted splen- dor. am an old, old woman now, but when l close my eyes 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 hapmer, hammer of the horses hoofs upon the bound road. The first sight of the hall as we drove up the avenue, all it's windows illumi- mated; the faint sound of the music borne upon the still night air; then the entry into the brilliantly-lighted rooms: Sir John and Lady Pendarves' hearty welcome-all come back to me now. 1 suppose my entrance made sensation. l was conscious of a buzz of admiral tion as l passed through the assembled guests.
 "Why, Lettie, my dear," exclaimed Lady Pendarves, "how beautiful you look. 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, ta.king my hand in her jeweled one, "Lettie, my dear, if you could"
 Just at this moment up came Jack (Maj. Pendarves he is now), looking handsome in his hussar uniform, yet just the same merry, smiling Jack of old. He was my partner in the new dance, called the vaise, just introduced from abroad-a dance that my mother did not quite approve, as she considered it too familiar for young men and maid- ems; but which found very agreeable with Jack for partner.
 Well, Lettie, you have grown quite a woman now, and I 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. I have never parted with it; it has been with me through every battle-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 as long as the world endures; suffice it that ere the dance had ended l had promised to be his wife.
 "Oh, Jack" said, as he was leading me back to Lady Pendarves, "I felt al- most wicked to accept you. You know have not penny; and my dress," added with laugh, "Is Aunt Lettie's."
 q don't care if you haven't penny. have enough for both; and want you for yourself, and not your money"
 Lady Pendarves was delighted, and Sir John was kind; and so 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 go and dance with some of the other guests and leave Let tie to me-"
 l was sitting, oh, so happy, by Sir John, who was making all sorts of plans for our future, when l saw tall gentle man, dressed in foreign uniform, mak- ing his way through the guests toward the recess where we were. I had mo- ticed him several times before in the course of the evening regarding me most atSentively.
 As he was evidently coming to speak to us, said:
 "Who is this gentleman, Sir John?"
 "Oh, my dear, a Mr.-Mr.- Tut, tut, I forget his name for the moment, a friend of Jacks who came over from France with him and is staying few days with us.''
 l By this time the gentleman had made his way across the hall, and stood bow ing to us.
 May have the honor of this dance?" he inquired.
 I was going to reply "No," for l