Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-11-01

She looked up with such anxious,
thought she must surely have some
great favor to ask him. He gave d
sudden start Of alarm
ooh, Violet" he cried, you are rot
surely going to ask me to let Miss Ath-
erton live with us?''
She laughed so heartily that her
hands fell from his arm. and all the
pathos died from her face.
1T is not one-half so dreadful As
that. Oh, Randolph, what an idea.
Why, Randolph, Aunt Alice would no
more live in the same house with d
man than she would fly, You can not
dread her more than she breads you;
but it was not of her wished to speak.
Randolph, l am so dreadfully ashamed
TO tell YOU"
You can surely say anything you
like to me-" he replied. Take cour-
age, my darling. If it be the half of my
kingdom that you desire, you shall
have it.
What kingdom have you except in
the realms Of fancy?" she said. with a
laugh. Randolph, it is about my we'd
ding-dress I want to speak to you
Once more she clasped her white
hands round his arm, and gazed with
wistful eyes into her lovers face
Randolph, now tell me the absolute
truth Should you mind very much if
I were married in my old blue dress p
Not one whit he answered, stanch-
~. ITO my mind, no other dress could
suit you SO we'll"
TT seems a very shabby thing to be
married in an old Dress she said;
''but I have no money of my own, AMI
my aunt is so angry with me that an.
afraid I shall have no more dresses IN
til
Until I buy you some" he inter
rupted. THAT will be delightful"
Violet's mind was greatly relieved;
she felt more blithe and happy than
ever. Very likely she thought to her
self, when she married. if Randolph
were really successful with picture.
she might have even three dresses at
once almost as many as she had ever
dared contemplate in her whole life.
The next day was dull one for her.
Randolph said that he had business to
attend to in town; he must run up for
a day or two; he wanted some fresh
materials for painting; and the trades
people made such mistakes. it would
be better for him to go himself.
Violet was very unwilling to leave
him. 1t would be dull, she said. Her
aunt was so cross with her, and if heI
went away, what was she to do? Still
it was only for two days; and they
parted with kisses and tears. 1t was
the first time she had shed tears over
him, the first time she had kissed him;
and the young lovers heart was agiow.
He returned with plenty of new ma
terial for work. he said, and happy be-
cause his wedding-day was drawing
near.
One morning aunt and niece were
sitting at the window, Miss Atherton d
little grimmer than usual.
'"The carrier is coming here, Violet"
the latter observed suddenly. What
can he want ?"-for the visit of the car
rier was a great event at the pretty,
secluded cottage.
"He has brought the grocer's parcel,
[ should think, aunt" replied Violet.
''Why, my DEAR" cried Miss Ather-
ton, surprised beyond measure, ''it is
a box-two-two large boxes! Do see|
what it means, and if there is anything
to pay"
No, there was nothing to pay; and
the carrier brought in the boxes. They
were too large to stand in the entrance
hall, so Miss Anterior ordered them to
be brought into the dinlng-room, an in
novation that caused Violet to wonder.
From London" cried Miss Ather-
ton. Nov, Violet. lose no time.
Stay; do not cut the cords, they may
be useful. I will unite them"
Miss Anterior knelt down by the
great trunks, and, after long and pa
tient labor. the knots were united. the
lids thrown back. In each lay white
card bearing this inscription-"To my
sweetheart
aunt, cried Violet, what Goes InlS
mean?"
1--WE shall soon see," replied Miss
Atherton, beginning to unpack with
vigorous hands.
The first thing she took ont was a
beautiful wedding-dress made of pale
blue silk, the very facsimile of the blue
dress Violet had. except that it was
made of silk instead of cashmere. and
prettiIy trimmed with white lace and
orange blossoms; there was a simple
and elegant white veil; there was the
wedding wreath, all orange-blossoms
and, when Miss Atherton took it up IN
her hands. all unconsciously her tears
fell upon it.
To be continued.