The suburban citizen., 1900-04-07

the marriage ceremony. Knowing TINT
circumstances would prove vain, she,
to all appearance, meekly acqUiesced.
Yesterday morning was the time Mr..
Draper wished it to take place, but
she insisted on its being deferred till
the evening. A splendid bridal dress
had been prepared, in which she was
duly arrayed, and Mr.. Barner, fine as
a tailor could make him, was punctual
to the moment. One of the brides
maids now entered the apartment and
whispered to Mr.. Draper, requesting
him to give her the key to unlock the
bride, as her assistant had just called
to her and told her that Miss Win
throp was quite ready.
But why were you not there to
assist them?" inquired Mr.. Draper.
Tarrived rather late, hereplied,
'and as you happened to be out, ]
could not gain admittance.'
Give minutes elapsed, but the bride
did not appear. Mr.. Barner kept his
eyes constantly fastened on the door
by which she was to enter. Another
five minutes passed, and Mr.. Barner's
eyes began to ache, so that he was
obliged not only to wink, but even to
rub them.
"'What does the girl mean by keep.
ing rs waiting 30 long?" said Mr.
Draper and he rang the bell.
"a girl appeared at the door
"'Go tell Miss Winthrop said he,
chat sue will oblige us by not keeping
us waiting any longer
"The girl obeyed, and after an alb
sence OF few minutes returned, say
ing that Miss Winthrop's chamber
Was empty.
"'I should not wonder if she had
contrived 10 make her escape, said
Mr.. Draper starting up and rushing
toward the staircase, followed closely
by Mr.. Barner They soon proved
the truth of what the girl had told
them by a peep into the deserted
chamber. Bride and bridesmaids all
were gone. Mr.. Barner ran down
stairs, and, going to the front door,
inquired of some persons who were
passing if they had seen lady in the
dress of bride. Being answered in
the negative, he ran down the street
like an insane man, asking Che same
question of everyone he met. Every
exertion has been made on tho part
of her guardian to find her, but up to
this time she has eluded all search. "
Mrs Leonard, who had listened to
Mrs. Readings account without inter
rupting her, told her, when she had
finished, that she doubted not that
Miss Winthrop was at that moment
beneath her roof. She then related
to her the incidents OF tho preceding
evening.
"It must be she," replied Mrs.
Reading. "T know her perfectly
well and yoar description suits her
exactly"
"She did wrong" said Mrs. Leon
ard, "not to confde in me. was
inclined to regard her in a very un-
favorable light, and had it not been
for Percy, who for the sake of her ro.
naming consented to leave town, I
should have turned her away.
GAS she was wholly unacquainted
with you," replied Mrs. Reading
"she could not tell whether il would
be safe to repos9 confidence in you or
not"
"That is true. There are some who
might have taken measures to return
her to her guardian, or rather to him
who has proved himself so base be-
trayer of his trust"
Both ladies agreed that it would be
best for Mrs. Leonard to inform her
Immediately that she had discovered
who she was, and to quiet her fears
by assuring her that, rs Mr.. Draper
had exceeded the limits Of lawful con
troll by condning her to her cham Der
in order to compel her to marry o
person that was disagreeablo to her.
he would not bo suffered to resume
his guardianship.
That evening in a letter to her
nephew, Mrs. Leonard related tho
whole story, and the next evening but
one she had the pleasure Of welcoming
him home.
Moro TO tease Mr.. Draper than for
any other reason, thI secret of Miss
Winthrop's abode was not suffered to
transpire, aud he, as woll as the pub
lie. about two months afterward was
first enlightened on the subject by the
following paragraph in one eof the daily
newspapers:
"MARnIED-Yesterday morning, al
the residence OF Mrs. Leonard, in
c. street, Percy Leonard, Esq,
to Miss Lewiston Winthrop, daughter
of the late Judge Winthrop Of this
city"