Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-05-06
THE WEDDING DRESS.

How well 1 remember it all! We were
sitting round the fire in the oak parlor
of the old Dover House at Cromer-
mother, Aunt Lettie and I. Dear Aunt
Lettie, how beautiful she was still de-
spite her snow white hair, and though
she was 3S, her complexion was as fresh
and bright as any young girls We
were chatting over the peace just pro-
claimed-the peace that ended the long
war with France; the war that lasted
20 years.
was at my mothers feet watching
the faces gather among the glowing
embers-they were ever the same face
to me, the face Ct i.e;.r Jack Pcnlaryes.
Perhaps l ought net to say he was my
lover, though we had been s1eethearts
since we were children, but he had been
away at the wars three years, and my
mother would hear Of 10 engagement
and would permit me to do no more
than write and receive an occasional
letter. Still, had broken a sixpence
with Jack when we parted and, as I
softly touched my half, which always
carried, prayed that my love had been
true to me, as knew had been to him.
Yet feared; for had he not been every
where. and surely he had seen many !
faces fairer than mine?
II suppose, said my mother, ''Major
Pendarves will be coming homo now.
Well, Sir John and Lady Pendarves
will be thankful. Gene in, Martha.
What is it?''
Please ma am, a letter from Sir
John; a man from the Hall has Just
ridden over with it. -
"What is it, Mary?'' inquired my
aunt Of my mother, who was reading
the note through second time. "No
i'll news, trust. -
"Oh, no. Read it yourself, Letitia.
"Of course the child cannot 20, as
she has nothing to wear. There is not !
even time to get her a dress from Nor
wich, still less from London, as Won
know intended -
"Cannot go WHEREOF ventured. .Is
it anything about me?''
"Yes, my dear. Sir john writes that
the masquerade given to celebrate the
return Of their son is to take place
month earlier than was at first arranged.
In fact, it is fixed for today week, as
Jack-Majcr Pendarves, should say
is expected on that day.
Jack coming back On Wednesday,
Oh, mother, cannot I go? must go. II
have been 50 looking forward to it.
have not seen Jack, dear jack, fer three
years Iwonder if be has altered, if he
has forgotten lie. Oh, only seven days
more, and ho will be here and I shall
see him again. Oh, mother, cannot
go?''
"Well, child, I do not see how you
can. You have nothing that would do,
and, you know, could not get dress
from anywhere nearer than Norwich,
and should not like you to go in any
Ehlng-your first ball too
Il should SO like to go, mother. Can
not we manage anyhow?''
Aunt Letitia, who had been turning
the letter over and over thoughtfully in
ler white hands while we talked, said:
Mary, there is that dress, you know,
which was to have been nv wedding | I
gown. If Lettie likes she may wear it. {
Hoops and powder would do for a mas
Iuerade. They were worn 30 years ago. % I
MY dear Letitia, +" cried my mother,
her surprise alike in face and
'olce, you surely cannot mean that?"
Yes, Mary. It may as well be Of
ONE use at last. Lettie is good girl,
re you not, my dear?' patting nv
cad, land don't want her to be dis '
ppointed. {
l must tell something Of my dear 9
units life, that you may understand
Thy my mother and We're touched to j
1rpr1se. Twenty years before my aunt
len IL, and the belle of Dawlish {some
lid Of Devonshire), was engaged to be
larried to handsome Gilbert Tresillian j
was splendid match in every way J
II he was young, rich, amiable. He s
as an orphan, untroubled by any un- n
'sirable relatives, and. moreover, he
I'd an ample income arising from mon I
; in the funds. c'
Gilbert Tresillian came to STAY in
awlish, where my grandfather then p
7ed, at the Mill House, charming old
ace some four miles from the town,
by magnificent gardens, b
oplng terrace to the sea-gardens the
miration of the west country. The d
y before the wedding he spent there, W
turning in the evening to the Red :
on at Dawlish. My aunt walked with m
m about mile through the gardens, al
aere they parted until the morrow,
d from that moment Gilbert Tresil- so
N was never seen or heard Of again. OF
disappeared as completely from 81
ortal ken as though the earth had III
ened and swallowed him. hs
Ihe country was secured, the shore is
neath &haacli6 sWaa .aearrhe6. sc