The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-08-02
HER HONEYMOON.

u
was engaged to be married to Sir Yer
non Branstone, mamma said, "But
Celia, darling, you hardly know him.
you never know any man unles
you are actually married to him, I" an
swered Celia who is possessed of an ex
traordinary amount of worldly wisdom
Then put in my word 81 don't lik
him, Celia, F." said decidedly.
And you haven't got to marry him, ;
replied Celia, in her most putting dow
manner, SO you needn' t trouble abou
that.
Mamma cried little and finall,
gave her consent, which was, after all
only matter of form, as Celia ha
money of her own and is over 81.
We sat chatting over her fire tn,
night before the marriage. t'Supposing
he is unkind to you, Celia" l said
"Oh, Celia, darling, whatever would
you do if he were unkind to your
'Do?" answered Celia, with an air O.
great establishment 81 should leave
him, of course, and come back to yoI
and mamma
1 gasped "You couldn't leave mar
you were married to, ;" l said.
Couldn't I?' she replied calmly
You d see, Dot.
"I'm afraid he is rather selfish
Celia, said presently.
All men are selfish, replied the
wise Celia, "if they are encouraged.
shan't encourage Vernon"
Then we went to bed
awoke the next morning feeling de-
pressed. hated parting with my favor
lite sister, and did not care about my
future brother in-law. l must own ht
seemed devoted to Celia, but he looked
so rough and big beside her l was dread
fully afraid he might bully her. But
the wedding went off very well, in spite
of my misgivings My sister looked de-
hciously pretty in her white satin gown,
and thought Vernon looked proud and
happy. A friend of his had lent them 8
house in Scotland for their honeymoon,
and Vernon was to have some spring
fishing l saw them off at the station.
This was, / know, a dreadfully uncon.
ventional thing to do, but it was just
like Celia, and she insisted on it. She
said it would prevent people from know.
ing they were newly married, which
was absurd, as her hat was covered with
rice.
Just before the train was due to start
Vernon looked at his watch and said tc
me: well, goodby, Dot. 1 must be
getting in now l shook hand with
him, and Celia, leaning forward, moved
The Ladies Pictorial from the seat op-
posite. He saw the movement.
Don't bother to move anything,
Celia, he said genially 81 am going
smoking" l stared increduously al
him; then I glanced at Celia to see how
she would take it. To my surprise, she
only smiled and said: "All right. &C
and tell Denise to come to me minute.
I want to speak to her. "
He went off in hurry for her maid,
who came up just as the train was start
ing. ''Here, jump in, Denise. want to
speak to you, cried Celia. "I can pay
the extra on your ticket at the other
end
Denise was bundled in, and the train
started without my having time to ex-
change another word with my sister.
I stood waving my hand until it was
nearly out of sight, although Celia did
not look once out of the window; then
l turned away, feeling disconsolate.
l felt furiously angry with Vernon.
How hateful of him to go smoking and
leave Celia to travel by herself just
when she must have been dying to talk
over the wedding and everything How
lonely she would be on that long, dull
journey They were going to stop at
York for the night, hut she would have
nearly five hours alone with her maid.
Poor Celia l had warned her he was
selfish, but it is no use warning people
who are in love-they are always so pc
culiar. l felt little disappointed in my
sister, to tell the truth, for l never
thought she would have surrendered Sc
easily. She hadn't even looked cross,
but had smiled at Vernon.
How dreadfully soon marriage
changes some people! l found mamma
still rather watery about the eyes. She
asked me a great many questions and
was most indignant at Vernon S selfish
ness.
Fancy sighting my darling girl
like that'' she said angrily.
''And fancy her taking it so calmly, -
I added.
81 wish she had never left u.s. sob
bed mamma 81 know he will bully
her. I never heard of man doing such
a thing in my life Ny poor, neglected
childp'
We could talk and think of nothing
else, and sat down TO dinner feeling
lonely and miserable. At about half
past 9, as l was feeling quite worn out
with excitement and fatigue, thought
l would go to bed. kissed mamma and
begged her not to worry about Celia.
81 wonder what she is doing?" she
said tearfully. 81 do hope they will not
quarrel, Dot. -
said was sure they wouldn't, as
Celia had never quarreled with anybody
in her life. | was just going up stairs
when heard the front door bell ring
violently.
81 can't see any one, Dot, mamma
called out to me. 81 am too tired and
upset tonight. "
"We're out, James," 1 said to the
footman, and added reassuringly tc
mamma, "It will only be what Celia
calls a posthumous wedding present. -
waited moment to see. Suddenly
1 heard peremptory voice saying
Here, James, take in this box. Denise
is coming on with the others in a foul
wheeler. Where is Miss Dotf"
l simply flew across the hall. "Oh,
Celia, darling Celia, whatever is the
matter?'' 1 cried excitedly.
Celia stopped to kiss mamma, who
had rushed into the hall at the sound Of
her voice, then she slipped her arm
through mine. Come along into the
dining room, dears, she said, "and III
tell you all about it, but do order mt
some dinner first; l am dreadfully hun
cry" She spoke quite brightly, but hel
face was pale, and l don't think hel
tears were far off. Then she told III
what she had done. As soon as lefi
her she arranged with Denise to get ou
at Peterborough and catch the next ex
press back to town. Vernon had luckily
never seen her Poor mamma looked
rather dazed as though she hardly un
derstood what had happened.
eft serves him RIGHT Celia. - sai(