The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1898-09-01

felt furiously angry with Vernon.
How hateful of him to 20 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 We're going to stop at
York for the night, hut she would have
nearly five hours alone with her maid.
Poor Celia! had warned her he was
selfish, but it is no use warning people
who are in love-they are always so Pc
Culiar. I felt little disappointed in my
sister, to tell the truth, for / never
thought she would have surrendered so
easily. She hadn at even looked cross,
but had smiled at Vernon
How dreadfully soon marriage
changes some people found mamma
Still rather watery about the eyes She
asked me great many questions and
was most indignant at Vernon s selfish
ness.
Fancy sighting my darling girl
like thatP' she said angrily
"And fancy her taking it SO calmly"
1 added.
81 wish she had never left us, " Sob
bed mamma. 81 know he will bully
her. never heard of a man doing such
a thing in my life My poor, neglected
childr'
We could talk and think of nothing
else, and sat down to dinner feeling
lonely and miserable. At about half
past 8, as was feeling quite worn out
with excitement and fatigue, thought
I would go to bed. I kissed mamma and
begged her not to worry about Celia.
II wonder what she is doing?" she
said tearfully. 81 do hope they will not
quarrel, Dot"
said I was sure they wouldn't, as
Celia had never quarreled with anybody
in her life. l was just going up stairs
when heard the front door bell ring
violently.
ST can't see any one, Dot, mamma
called out to me. 81 am too tired and
upset tonight. +"
"We're out, James,, l said to the
footman, and added reassuringly to
mamma, cit will only be what Celia
calls posthumous wedding present y
| waited moment to see. Suddenly
heard peremptory voice saying:
Here, James, take in this box Denise
is coming on with the others in four
wheeler Where is Miss Dot?''
simply flew across the hall. sob,
Celia, darling Celia, whatever is the
matter:'' l 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 I'll
tell you all about it, but do order me
some dinner first; am dreadfully hun
cry" She spoke quite brightly, but he1
face was pale, and l don't think he1
tears were far off. Then she told us
what she had done. AS soon as left
her she arranged with Denise to get out
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 IN
derstood what had happened.
sit serves him right, Celia, | sale
angrily, "hut whatever will he do
Won't he be fearfuIly angry?" I felt
nervous, but Celia only shrugged he1
shoulders.
'Likely he will, " she replied coolly
"but after all what can he do excepting
swear? You see, have begun as NEAR
to go on, Dot, and I must await devel
opments. l expect he will soon fetch
me back - she added cheerfully, anG
try to hush it up. No man likes being
made fool of, but it was really more
| T Il
raised her pretty arms above her head
"And now let's go to bed, Dot. I'm 81
awfulIy tired. It's useless to sit here
and speculate as to what he will do.
am all right in the meantime, as havt
brought my trousseau back with me. "
The next morning Celia received
frantic telegram from Vernon, and il
the afternoon he arrived. Mamma anC
l thought it kinder not to see him. Cell;
had long interview with him in tn,
dining room, after which she ran up tt
us, and, giving us each a hasty kiss
whispered she would tell us all about i
tomorrow. Then they drove off together
and Denise followed with the luggage
I believe they staid at hotel for thu
night and caught the express to Scot
land the next day. We did not see Cell
again for several weeks, and when sh
wrote all she told us was that Vernon
was "'dear. - They seem happy now
and l sometimes think l never saw
man kinder or more attentive to hi
wife Celia seems deyotedly fond O
him. OF course I always knew she wa
strong minded, but 1 must say hav
often wondered how she managed Yer
non. Westminster Budget.