Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-09-03


my husband.
you tremble, Rosa" said he. rs we
drew near the house, and he bade me be
calmer saying the meeting between my
self and his sister would soon be over.
But It was not that which | dreaded.
1t was the presentation to his servants.
| to whom | bore the formidable relation
| of mistress, and for whose good opinion
cared far more than | did for that of
the naughty Mrs Lansing. Something
! like this / said to Richard who assured
me that his household would love me be-
cause was his wife, If for no other rea-
son, and thus l found it to be. AS we
drove into the yard, we were surprised
at seeing the house brilliantly lighted,
while through the open windows tOr,ns
Of many persons were seen moving to
and fro.
! In n dispeased tone of voice Richard
said, 1T is Angeline's work, and | do
not like it, for you need rest, and are too
much fatigued to see any one tonight,
| but suppose it cannot be avoided Ho,
Bill" he called to the driver, who is
here"
"Some oh de quality" answered Bill,
adding that Miss Angelina done wife
| 'cm to see de bride"
"She might at least have consulted my
Wishes" said Richard, while my heart
sunk within me at being obliged to meet
strangers in my jaded condition.
| Mrs. Lansing it seems, had in her
mind n new piano for Lima. their pres
cnt one being rather old-fashioned, and
as the surest means of procuring ont, she
thought to please her brother by noticing
his bride So in her zeal she rather over
did the matter inviting many of the viii
layers, some of whom were friendly to
me and some were not, though all, l be-
lieve, felt curious to see how the 'ple-
beian"-thus Ada termed me-would de-
mean herself as the wife of Southern
planter
Dusky faces, with white, shining eyes,
peered round the corner of the building
as the carriage stopped before the door,
and more than one whisper reached me.
Oats she-de new miss, dat mars'r's
liftin' so keerfuly."
Upon the piazza stood Mrs. Lansing,
| her face wreathed in smiles. while at her
side, in flowing white muslin, were Ada
and Lima, the former Of whom sprung
gayly down the steps, and with we'll
feigned Joy threw herself into the arms
Of her guardian, who, after kissing Ler
affectionately. presented her to me, say
ing, will Ada be a sister to my wife,"
Anything for your sake" answered
Ada, with rather more emphasis on your
than was quite pleasing to me.
Mrs. Lansing came next, and there
was something of hauteur in her manner
as she advanced, for much as she desired
to please her brother, she was not yet
fully prepared to meet me as an equal.
But Richard knew the avenue TO her
heart, and as he placed my hand in hers
he said, For the sake of Jessie you will
love my bride, | am sure"
This party was followed by many
more, and ere l was aware of it, Mrs.
Richard Delafield was quite a belle
what she said, what she did, and what
she wore being pronounced au fat 10y
the fashionables of Chester. Upon all
this Ada looked jealousy, never allow
ing an opportunity to pass without speak
ing slightingly of me, though always care
full that Richard should not know of it.
In his presence she was vastly kind, sit
ting at my feet, calling me "aunty,' and
treating me as if | had been twenty
years her senior.
Toward the middle of August, invita-
tons came for us to attend a large we'd
ding in Charleston. | was exceedingly
anxious to go, having heard much of the
bride, who was a distant relative of my
husband, and though both he and Mrs.
Lansing raised every conceivable objec-
ton to my leaving home, / adroitly put
aside all their arguments, and ere Rich
ard fully realized that he had been coax.
ed into doing something he had fully de-
termined not to do, we were rafting
along in a dusty Charleston omnibus to-
ward one of the largest hotels, where
rooms had been engaged for u.s. The
morning after our arrival, | went into
the public parlor, and as | seated my
self at the piano l saw just across the
room, near an open window, quiet
intelligent looking lady, apparently TWEEN
ty-six or twenty-seven years of age, and
near her, sporting upon the carpet, was
IL beautiful little girl, with flowing curls
and soft, dark eyes, which instantly riv-
eted my attention, they were SO like
something l had seen before
At the sound of the music she came tC
my side, listened attentively, and when
| had finished, she laid one white, club
by hand on my lap and the other on the
keys, saying, "Please play again; Ross
| like to hear you"
"And SO your name is Rosa?" / an
swered; Rosa what?"
Rosa Lee Clayton. and that's my new
ma" she replied, pointing toward thu
! lady, whose usually pale cheek was fo
an instant suffused with blush sdci
: as brides only wear.
,, | knew now why l had felt intereste,
in the child. 1t was the father whom
, saw looking at me through the eyes o
brown, and taking the little creature il
. my arms, l was about to question he
7 of her sire, when mn increasing glow OF
= the lady's cheek and footstep in tn
- hall told me he was coming.
q The next moment he stood before m
4 DR.. Clnyton-his face perfectly unrui
fed and wearing an expression of cor
tent, at least, If not perfect happiness
y | was conscious of faintness stealth
II over me, but by strong effort I shoe
IT it OFF and rising to my feet, l offere
y him my hand, which he pressed, sayin:
p This is indeed a surprise Rosa-I be
* your pardon, Mrs. tDelafeld, suppose ?
y | nodded in the affirmative, and wa
10 about to say something more, when nj