The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-11

Yet Miss Selma Dalton was a good
woman, and her principles were high
She did not want the major for her
self, but he had seemed to enjoy poor
''Baby's'' society. and her rather feeble
rendering of old English ballads; and
it would have been so nice to have had
her married and settled near them.
Cecily looked radiant; she was wear
ing one of her Paris frocks. the cum
ming simplicity of which was very diff
ferent from the rural simplicity of the
Wytham gowns. 1t fitted her 1.-THE
young figure like glove, and she held
the long skirt up with one hand, allow
ing a glimpse of a lace-trimmed petit
coat to appear. The major beamed
upon her from his superior height, and
Miss Dalton felt with a pang that poor
dear Baby" had not the ghost of
chaEce.
Time went on. but the expected en-
gagement was not announced. Jack
Edmunds came down again, and it was
known in the village that the two Miss
Leroys had dined at Clovelly.
Wytham had become fairly resigned
to the idea that the girl was to marry
the major. when the latter, without
single adieu, departed from the viii
lage; nor could his housekeeper say
turn. To add to this, the younger Miss
Leroy had been seen walking in the
lanes with a well-dressed man.
stranger, whom she appeared to know
very well indaed
This was somewhat staggering, and
those interested in the matter began to
wonder whether naughty Cecily had
merely fiirted with her elderly .adnirer
pour passer lie temps, and then heart
leSSly refused him when he came to the
point. Very little was seen of the Misses
Leroy-aunt and niece-in those days,
and presently they went away to pay a
round of visits.
One sunshiny afternoon the church
bells rang out a merry peal, and con-
tinued to ring. Folks asked each other
what the meaning of it might be, and
nobody seemed to be in a position to
| answer.
Meanwhile the down train steamed
into the station. and CeciIy Leroy de-
scended from first class compartment,
beautifully dressed as usual, and look
ing very smiling and happy She was
alone, and, giving her luggage into the
charge of an out-porter, the young lady
started to walk home through the vii
lage. The first person she came across
was old Mrs. Cullen in her wheeled
chair.
Dear me, I thought the bells were
ringing for your wedding, Miss Cecily!''
the old dame called out briskly
"Oh, no, Mrs. Cullen; they are ringing
for Aunt Eyelyn's," answered the girl,
her eyes dancing with merriment.
What in the world do you mean.
child?"
81 only mean what I say. The bells
4 are ringing because Aunt Evelyn and
Major Edmunds We're married this
morning in London. Won't you con
graduate me please, Mrs. Cullen? II
was / who made the match and ordered
/ the bells to be rung." The speaker
voice was very demure.
well. I neverl'' Mrs. Cullen dropped
into old-fashioned calculations when
anything took her by surprise.
You have been very sly about it.
Miss Cecily. Why was it kept such a
profound secret. Dray2"
The girl laughed gayly.
/ ION. auntie was so desperately shy
about it." she cried. IF it hadn't been
1 for me I believe Major Edmunds
would never have set foot in our house
You see he and Aunt Evelyn fell in
| love with each other at CloveIly. when
+, they We're young. hut grandpapa made
! them separate-tne old Tartari The
major got auntie to promise to run
away with him. but when it came to
the point-he was actually waiting for
her at the station with the tickets
taken. Door dear man,-she hadn't the
courage to do it. and left her lover II
the iurch. She never forgave herself