The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-03-11
HARRYETTA'S WEDDING,

the depths of the clear stream which
swept along its front. Our opposite neigh,
bors We're two maiden ladies. Miss Regi-
IA and Miss Harryetta Smith. Miss Re
gina was tall and commanding in figure,
with high forehead and nose which
would have won for itself the approval of
the Emperor Napoleon. Her appearance
did not belle her character, which was
marked by strength of will, uncOnquera-
BILE purpose. and an abiding faith in the
infallib!lity of her own opinions. Miss
Harryetta, on the contrary. was small
and plump and dimpled. with a heart
that was full of love and charity to all
mankind. If she had ever possessed a
will of her own. 4 long and intimate as
ISOLATION with her elder sister had tended
to eradicate that characteristic.
During one of my yearly visits much
interest was excited in the town by The
rumor of wedding in the Smith family
Miss Harryetta was accustomed to say
whenever any allusion was made to their
state of single besSedneSs: I'VE might
have married: Regina had al offer.' But
how or when this momentous event oc-
Cured was never revealed. Miss Regina :
sense of honor was too strong to bctray
the secret. and. if Miss Harryetta knew
the identity of this ancient lover, she was
too much i'll awe of her sister to whisper
it, and would check all indiscreet ques.
tons with gentle dignity.
One bright June morning Miss Regina
came across the street with Il green ba-
rese veil thrown over her turban. as IN
additional protection from the sun. to pay
visit to my grandmother.
''Caroline," she said, gravely. after
mutual inquiries as to the health and
we'll being of the two households, Il
have something of Importance to tell
YOU: My grandmother looked interested
Il have received another offer of mar
riage."
us it possihle:" responded my grand
mother impulsively. and then, seeing the
look of offended dignity upon Miss Re
gina cOuntenance she made haste To
add: -! am only surprised because your
opposition to marriage is 50 we'll known
that | did not think anyone would ven
ture to approach the subject
Miss Regina received the explanation
with stately wave of her fan. and con-
tinued: II do not encourage the attentions
OF gentlemen, because, in my opinion. a
gentlewoman should do so unless she de.
SireS to change her estate. | have never
desired this, and should not have per
mltted any overtures in that direction,
but for my duty to Harryetta."
"Harryetta!" exclaimed my grand
mother. Eyes, Harryetta. She is old
enough to marry Miss Harryetta was
10, and | have decided that it is best
ry st. George Sandringham approached
me- Yesterday with an offer of marriage
l replied that while it was impossible for
me to consider it for myself, I would do
SO on Harryetta'S behalf. Since IIu-
cnda's death he has. he tells me, felt
more low-spirited and lonely. and he feels
that his happiness can only be restored
by. il companion who can cheer and
brighten his remaining years.
But does Harryetta wish to marry
him.: inquired my grandmother.
"of course Miss Regina responded
i'll tone which indicated the contempt
she felt for 50 trivial Il question
Doesn't Harryetta always wish to dc
what | know is best for her? And a>
for Henry st. George, l have explained
to him that such an arrangement is in
every, way preferable. Harryetta. as
you know, was one of poor Lucinda
ms ms first wife's nearest friends: indeed
they resemble each other in so many
respects as to make the ARRANGEMENT,
especially desirable. They are to be
married month from next Wednesday
and they will go to Baltimore on their
wedding Journey"
Il suppose they will be gone some
tme,' said my grandmother, mechanical.
ly: endea voring to conceal the surprise
which overwhelmed her at this remark.
able condition of affairs.
YES; Harryetta will have a good dea]
OF shopping to do. and then there is
Lucinda, s monument. Henry st. George
consulted me about buying it here: he
thought it should be erected before the
wedding: but l said no. Lucinda nj.
ways had the greatest confidence in
Harryetta's taste. and it would be most
appropriate for her to select it. As to
ITS not being up until after the wedding
that is small matter: a few weeks
difference can't possibly affect Lucinda. .
10 all OF which my grandmother meekiy
asSented.
Along with the memories of Miss Hor.
ryetta S wedding, with it's big brides
cake, surmounted by pink cupid stand.
ing on one leg and aiming IL silver arrow
at the company, is mingled nv ret.0lIec.
ton of very different scene which
witnessed that same evening. Not far
from my grandfather's home stood the
warehouse of Mr.. Mckenzie. a prosper.
Gus Scotch merchant. who did y thriv.
ing trade with the neighborng planters
lie was a tall, rawboned Lowlander, am
old bachelor. and an incura bic suffere,
from disappointed love. He was a blonde
of the most pronounced type: his hail
was almost white, and his eyebrows and
et,yelashcs. as well. | was, therefore,
filled with amazement when he appeared
one evening dressed from head to foot in
suit of funeral black, with hair and
eyebrows of the same sable hue. NV
grandparents were evidently informed Of
the reason for this extraO ordinary per.
Torrance, and took no notice of It save
to be. if possible. more cordial in their
hospitality; but l was wild from SIM
pressed curiosity, and finally, when my
me say. my prayers and tuck me in for
the night, l eagerly inquired the cause of
it.
Mr.. Mckenzie is very unhappy" she
said. 'The lady he has long hoped to
marry is going to marry some one else,
and he is mourning her loss" I after.
ward discovered that it was Miss Harry.
Mckenzie's affections had been burn
ing for many years. What this gentle
souls sentiments were has never trans
pirCd. for Miss Regina settled the mat
ter after her own summary and decided
fashion by declining the honor in her
sisters name.
If there was one thing more than an
other which found favor in her eyes, it
was blood, and Mr.. McKenzie's was not
blue enough to entitle him to seat ut
table above the Three Turks Heads,
Miss Regina's old family salt cellar. Curl
o,sly enough. instead of being affrontcd,
as everyone expected, ut this tragic per-
formancc, Miss Regina considered it Il
tribute to the distinction and dignity of
her family name, and treated MIR. Nc
kcnzie with a gracious condescension
which she felt made simple amends for
the suffering of his sorely wounded heart.
My grandfather who began by laugh
ing ut him. ended by plying him. '"The
mans really. losing flesh and strength"
he said one day, after a visit to the ware
house. 1--WE been trying to get him to
60 away for, a while, but he swears he
cant leave his business so I finally told
him he could at least take something to
tone up his system, and he has promised
me to try port wine and bark" This was
about week before the wedding, and we
heard no more from Mr.. Mckenzie until
the fatal evening, when, just as we were
dressing for the ceremony, there came q
laundering rap on the big brass knocker
at the door, and Mr.. McKenzie's clerk ap-
peared, GREATNESS from haste and excite
r.