, 1897-11-03

the day I was to leave the paternal
n,.! title as madame.
Midnight vas the customary hour for
marriages i'll our part of the country. l
va in hopes of having the day to my
self, but l was obliged to busy myself
in all sorts of ways, to try for the last
time my wedding gown, d, arrange
flowers, and so forth.
Toward the end of the day, while the
last touches were being added to my
toilet, Victoire, my maid, who had been
occupied in carrying different things to
my new home, returned in consterna-
ton, saying that my cousin was not
well, and that they did not know
whether the wedding could take place.
"Oh, mon Dieu!' said my mother.
And she ran to carry her anxiety into
the bosom of the united family. They
took counsel together, and two relatives
were sent as ambassadors to the fiance.
During this time my mother ran from
room to room, calling all the servants.
ringing bells. recommending calmness
and doing her utmost to deprive me and
everybody else of it.
Finally the ambassadors rcappeared.
"Hc is coming. He will be here i'll a
few moments" they cried, ascending
the stairs. THE indisposition has pass
ed away" And they wiped their fore
heads as they spread the good news.
After an hours waiting the door
opened, and my cousin entered the
room. He was very pale, but very hand
some, and | felt proud to belong t o him.
Il have beer a little indisposed," he
said, giving me his hand, but l am
quite well now, and l love you" This
Il love you" came like a whisper, and
l felt myself growing pale and flushed
at the same time.
The dinner vas long and serious. We
were surrounded by aged relatives. My
grandmother Dubois did not break her
cold reserve, except to say to the serv-
ants, do not spoil my dress" My hus-
bands uncle. a retired officer. who sat
at my right, had Il stomach trouble and
ate nothing. He spent his time in find.
ing fault with the others because they
ate so much.
My child" he said to me, do not
eat too much today. 1t is not good for
you" And l could easily believe it.
Emotion closed my throat so complete
ly that not u cherry could have passed
it.
While waiting for the departure for
church the men went to smoke and the
women gathered around me like bees.
"Ah, my dear" said one. the great
moment is at hand.
Your dress is very beautiful, said
another, 'but dead white is not becom-
ing to your complexion. 1t makes you
look Sc dark. How will you arrange
your veil? Will it cover your hair"
"Thcre are too many flowers in your
wreath" said another. "Give me the
scissors and let me cut out some of
them"
Harassed with this feminine enthusi-
asm and this idle chatter, | asked for a
moments respite and flew to my wv
little chamber. 1t was almost empty.
Nearly everything that belonged to me
had been carried away during the day
and taken to my future home. The bed
alone remained, and against the wall.
between its muslin curtains, my basin
of holy water. l fell upon my knees.
moistened my fingers in the sacred wa
ter. then, carrying them to my fore
head, murmured, Lord, protect me-
We set out for the mayors office.
then we proceeded to the church. A
fine rain was falling, and the dampness
penetrated behind the glass of the car
riage windows. assembled the steps of
the cathedral shivering. The harmoni-
GUS notes of the organ greeted me un-
der the somber arches. Clouds of incense
were waited toward me. The cure,
standing under the great crucitix, ad-
dressed some remarks to me. my hus-
band placed upon my finger the sacred
ring, and all was over.-Providence
Journal.