The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-09-07
HER HONEYMOON.


face, with large blue eyes and match
less dimple in her left cheek. But Celia
is strong minded. l sometimes even
think mamma is little afraid of her.
| She has certainly managed US both all
her life. Celia has perfect talent for
managing people. When she told us she
was engaged to be married to Sir Yer
non Branstone, mamma said, "But,
Celia, darling, you hardly know him. %
'sYou never know any man unless
you are actually married to him., an
swered Celia who is possessed Of an ex-
traordinary amount of worldly wisdom.
Then I put in my word. Il don't like
him, Celia 1 said decidedly.
And you haven t got to marry him, -
replied Celia, in her most putting down
manner, $50 you needn't trouble about
that.
Mamma cried little and finally
gave her consent, which was, after all,
only matter of form, as Celia has
money of her own and is over 21.
We sat chatting over her fire the
night before the marriage. "Supposing
ne is unkind to you, Celia I said.
"Oh, Celia, darling. whatever would
you do if he were unkind to you?''
"Do:" answered Celia, with an air of
great astonishment. Il should leave
him, of course, and come back to you
and mamma. %
gasped. "You couldn't leave man
you were married to-, said.
Couldn't I?' she replied calmly.
YOU'D see, Dot. %
''I'm afraid he is rather selfish,
Celia, % I said presently.
"All men are selfish, replied the
wise Celia, eff they are encouraged. 1
shan't encourage Vernon"
Then we went to bed.
awoke the next morning feeling de-
pressed. 1 hated parting with my favor
ite sister, and did not care about my
future brother-in-law. l must own he
seemed devoted to Celia, but he looked
so rough and big beside her was dread
fully afraid he might bully her. Blu.
the wedding went off very we'll, in spite
of my misgivings. My sister looked de-
liciouSly pretty in her white satin gown.
and thought Vernon looked proud and
happy. A friend of his had lent them a
house in Scotland for their honeymoon,
and Vernon was to have some spring
fishing. 1 saw them off at the station.
This was, know, 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 to
me: well, goodby, Dot. 1 must be
getting in now" I 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 "I am going
smoking % I stared increduously at
him; then I glanced at Celia to see how
she would take it. To my surprise, she
only smiled and said: "All right. Go
and tell Denise to come to me- minute.
I want to speak to her
He went off in a hurry for her maid,
who came up just as the train was start
ing. "Here, jump in, Denise. I want to
speak to you,' cried Celia. Il 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.
stood waving my hand until it was
nearly out Of sight, although Celia did
not look once out Of the window then
turned away, feeling disconsolate.
I felt furiously angry with Vernon.
How hateful of him to go smoking and
leave Celia to travel by herself just
when sne 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! 1 had warned her he was
selfish, but it is no use warning people
who are in love-they are always so Pc
culiar. Ifelt a little disappointed i'll my
sister, to tell the truth, for I never
thought she would have surrendered so
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.
II wish she had never left us, sob
bed mamma. Il know he will bull
her 1 never heard of a man doing such
a thing in my life. My poor, neglected
childr'
We could talk and think of nothing
i