The Portland daily press., 1898-01-10
fChapter XVI Continued. }

mind far more deeply than grand and
imposing celebration, whose magnificence
OF ritual seems almost to paralyze the
power of realization. Cecil and Marian
were the first couple married. Mr.. Har-
tres, beaming as with satisfaction at the
issue of the singular love affair in which
he had become one of the minor actors,
was best man to both the bridegrooms
The Young fellow, with bowed head and
fervent manner, murmured thessresponses
and in due course he slipped the little
gold band upon Marian's finger, making
her his wife, according to the beautiful
words of the service, until death should
part them When they had been welded,
Instead of quitting the church, Cecil led
his bride into pew, and then, with ldim
eve. but face as immovable as marble,
and nearly as white, he watched his old
faneee as her own father married her to
Mr. Brymer Then the little organ rolled
forth in the strains of the Wedding
March. and to the rich music they slowly
paced down the aisle, out into the splen-
dor of the morning sunshine, where car
riages were waiting to convey them all to
Mr.. Lasnbert's house.
1t is an old and oft told story-the
family gatheringfafter the marriage, with
its laughter and it's tears, its.open merri-
snent. .andSits secret grief. Why, there
fore, relate yet again that which has al
ready been so often written? Yet, per-
haps, never was wedding party held
under exactly similar conditions. There
was subtle drop of bitterness lurking in
the cup of happiness of most of those
present. Old memories rose strong and
vivid in the minds of Cecil and Clara as
they sat nearly face to face at the long
table, and there was an instinct of SYM
pathy running throughout the whole of
theEcompany, who could realize and ap-
prsciate their thoughts, which exercised
perceptible influence upon the hilarity
of the entertainment. Since that day
Cecil and Clara have sat together over
and over again, and laughed with genuine
glee, free of all the neutralizing effect Of
emotions lying too deep to be drowned
by Ethe intoxication of joy; for Time
works wonders with "a wounded heart,
and has even been known to prove too
strong. for Love itself.
ried, MIR. Rawdon, you'll .be thinking of
going home again, sir?''
Thus spoke Captain Sturgess, himself
a prominent figure at the wedding break
fast, with his jolly, rubicund countenance
and glossy blue cloth coat all a-twinkle
with gilt buttons. :,
sWhy, yes, Captain answered Cecil
81 must get back to England as soon as
ever I can now"
"Then, SIR exclaimed the skipper of
the Strathnairn, with an air of serious
conviction, although I say it, you can't
do better than sail along with me-
snThera is nothing should like better, !"
answered Cecil, land I am sure Mrs.
Rawdon''-he smiled on naming Marian
thus for the first would be equally
glad to return in the old ship. When do
you startl"
I'm q fortnight. There are Tstill few
cabins to let"
IL tIoy G
settled; Cecil commissioning Captain
Sturgess TO take passage for himself and
Marian in the fine clipper he commanded.
Mrs. Murray, who was Of the party, ap-
peared very disconsolafe at the prospect OF
SO soon losing her beautiful. young niece,
and after sitting silent and thoughtful
for considerable spell suddenly aston
ished the company by announcing that
she toe would return to England in the
Strathnairn; adding that, although Aus
fraTia was a very fine country. she had
come to the conclusion after all thai. there
was no place like the old home.
And now it only remains to round OFF
this narrative by disposing of the little
group of actors which has figured in it.
First, hen, as to Cecil and Marian, for
they have been the principal characters
of the strange drama. Christmas Day,
1854 was the date fixed upon for the sail
ing Of the Strathnairn, and early in
with Marian's aunt, embarked on board
the noble ship as she lay nloored along
side the Circular Quay, with Blue Peter
flying at the fore. sails loosed, anchors
secured, and all in readiness for putting
to sea. They found a little party had as
Bembled upon the quarter deck to bid
them a last farewell, consisting of Mr..
Brymer and Clara, Mr.. and Mrs. Lam
bert. MIR. Hartree and his wife, and two
Or three other people whose acquaintance
they had made whilst in Sydney. Never,
perhaps, had the scene of the Bay looked
lovelier than upon this particular warm
end .haZy morning, with the islets studded
oversthe face of the blue waters stealing
outsandssvanishing again to theswreathing
of theshoyering silver mists, ana the few
vessels slowly creeping up the harbor
looming large, like painted fabrics,
against the stsamy vapor.
"Searcely wind enough to suit you, is
there9' said Mr.. Brymer, as Capain
Sturgess. all in hustle with business,
came rolling across to shake hanos with
his old friends.
tsOh, there'll be nice little breeze out
side the Heads" answered the skipper.
suuinting admiringly at Clara, who was
now recovering her color, and beginning
to look like her old self again. "Once let
US get clear of the Bay, sir. and allow
It won't be many hours before the coast
of Australia sinks out of sight below the
horizon.
''We shall all meet again some day."
said Cecil.
ssOh, yes" exclaimed the CHEEKY Sgd
ney merchant. "We are confirmed
Colonials,' said he, indicating the little
group by a comprehensive wave Of his
hand, "end not very likely to return to
the old country except on visit. But
perhaps one Of these days you and your
wife may revisit a scene that will always
have many memories for you BOTH
"You will let US hear of your safe ar
rival?'' said MIR. Lambert.
"Indeed we will, answered Marian.
s'And do not forget your friends at
Dunbar House." exclaimed Mrs. Har.
tree.
''That is never likely to happen unless
I should lose my memory again." said
Cecil. ''Your kindness will remain life
long recollection to me.''
'tAil's we'll that ends WELL )" said Mr..
Hartree, who was approaching danger
Dusly near to one of his fiights of phil
ssophic oratory. But just then the hoarse
Foice of the boatswain, standing in the
Eangway, bawled out. CHOW then, all
lshore please, those as don't. belong to the
ship.
4s;lh we are eOiDo m start ti'' avcIaiIned