The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-07-07
THE WEDDING DRESS.

pbaDs, the children of u Doctor whose genius
had developed itself moro I'm the direction
Of spending than saving, and who ~ his
death had left his family almost peDntIess.
Now, however. barbara wss earning
modest income IN assistant secretary to
Lady GIcndowss, we'll known for bsr phil
sDthropio efforts, and Lcttice ADDED "
theiv store by teaching tho children Of =
prosperous linen draper.
Lettice had been for some weeks staying
NJ Bfoadstairs with her young charges,
and Barbara was alone, but much hsp-
peDsd during these few weeks, much that
Lottice In at present In ignorance a.
II we enter their little sitting room and
listen To tho conversation being carried on
by tho two occupants, we shall learn the
nature of what has taken place. One oc-
cupaDt n Barbara Maitland herself
The other occupant IL . man abous 40,
dark and handsome. albeit tanned by ex-
posure to wind and weather, as well he
may, having only lately returned from his
fruit ranch In California. He IN Lady
Glendower's brother.
"It all seems 40 strange" snid Barbara,
"to think that wo are actually engaged tG
each other, and yet that we don't profess
to love each other In the very least"
"Yes," responded her companion. Then
he added, Barbara, would you not like to
know why first thought Of taking fruit
ranch In Californian"
Eyes, certainly should"
"Thst was the cause" And Geofrey
placed In her hand q tiny morocco case,
wherein was framed tho portrait OF q love.
ly girl, spirituelle, yet full OF yiyacity,
with deep blue eyes and golden hair.
tSA t<.<l o,.I Il.
know why told you could never make
love to any woman again. was nearly
mad with grief for time after lost her,
and went out TO California and plunged
modly into work. At first. as you know,
things did not prosper, and lost q lot OF
money. Now have regained all lost
and am comparatively a rich man, but II
am to succeed and take large number
of pupils, as hope to do, a wife IL an sb
solute necessity to me.'
That same evening Lettice arrived. Let
tice was 10 and had tall, supple figure
and face Of wondrous beauty. Her eyes
were of that rare blue violet shade, he
hair soft nut brown. They had f1nishe.
tea, and Barbara was seated In q low
chair by the open window, Lettice on o
stool at her feet.
"What, Barbara--a new ringf' cried tn,
younger sister, capturing Barbara's left
hand and examining the lovely sappL.r
flashing on the third finger. "Ah, you
are blushing! What have you been doing
while l have been awsys Come, tell mt
all about It,"
i have been getting engaged" replied
Barbara demurely, and then, to her sisters
great surprise, she told her all about 1t.
So Lettice was introduced to this new
brother, and the new brother and Lettice
got on very nicely together. Lettice was
just Of an ago to be fascinated by man Of
Geoffrey's age and style rather than by
one nearer to her own age, and Geoffrey
was taken by her fresh, girlish ways and
by her natural, unconventional style
So 1t was all arranged-a marriage OF
mutual satisfaction and esteem, but nc
lovemaking.
But the little god was not to be cheated.
So two hearts, after one ecstatic bound OF
passionate JOY, as they realized that they
are all the world to each other. are plunged
in anguish and despair as they also realize
that they both are in honor bound never
to be more than friends.
Look into Godfrey Selhurst's room late
one evening toward the end Of August ms
he PAGES up and down, needless Of the fact
that the clock is already registering the
small hours.
"Fool-fool that I was!' he calculated.
"Fool to tell myself that my heart was
dead and buried with my lost love, and
now it is beating as wildly and with az
passionate love for another, and may not
claim her. / am bound in honor TO hei
sister"
Barbara shall never know IT," mur.
INJURED Lettice as she lies awake in her 81.
lent misery through the long night 81
will bear my pain alone. Her life shall
not be spoiled"
1t was the evening before the wedding,
q lovely, still September evening. The
three were together in the Maitlands' lit.
tie sitting room.
"Bab, you have not tried on your wed.
ding dress" cried Lettice. "It looks love.
ly. Do go up stairs and put it on. know
that Godfrey Is dying to see it."
Eyes, do" said Godfrey. II should like
to see it,
Every we'll, said Barbara, smiling 81
will crafty your curiosity and my vanity.
will run and put it on"
For few seconds silence prevails The
Lettice crosses over to Godfrey, and, tax
ing both his hands, gazes at him with sor
row laden eyes.
"Geoffrey, you will never let her know,
never let her guess. You will be true to
her and good to her always, will you notf"
"Lettice, Lettice, / want you'll Cone
and help me to put my gown on, cried
Barbara's voice from up stairs. "Come
and help me, Lettice! Miss Frazer has
made a mistake. My gown Is much too
long and too large. She seems to have
made 1t by your measurement instead Of
mine. Try 1t on, Lettice, and let me sec. "
Lettioe consented to array herself In the
white silk and lace draperies, and very
lovely she looked In them. Her tall figure
easily carried of the superfuous inches
that had 80 distressed Barbara, and she
looked with pardonable girlish vanity as
her sister placed her In front OF tho glass.
"Did you think I did not guess what
had happened, little sisterS" said Barbara's >
sweet, low toned voice, while her arm stole
gently round the amazed Lettice. Hero
Is Godfrey Selhurst's bride Come and
LOT mo takp Won IN hin, -