Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-06-02

CHAPTER XIV.
Over the New England hills the hazy
light of a most glorious Indian summer
was shining. while the forest trees. IN
their gorgeous array of crimson and gold.
lifted their tall heads as proudly as if
they heard not in the distance the voice
OF coming sorrows AID the signing Of
winter wind. The birds had flown to
their South IN home, where | fondly
hoped to meet them. for | was to be n
oride-Richard's brde-and the day for
my bridal had come. We had been cv-
rywhere-Richard and AL over the
old Sunny Bank farm, sacred to me for
the many hallowed associations which
clustered round it, and very, very dear
to him because it was my childhood's
home. So he told me when we stood for
the last time beneath the spreading
grape vine, and | pointed out to him
the place where, years before. / had lain
in the long green grass and wept over
the fickleness of one who was naught
to me now save near friend.
Together we had sat in the old brown
school house-he in the big arm chair,
and but no matter where | sat-when
| told him of the little Fomping girl with
yellow hair, who had there first learned
to con the alphabet and 10 trace on the
gayly colored maps the boundary of
Georgia, little dreaming that her home
would one day be there. Then when |
showed him the bench where | had lain
when the faintness came over me- he
wound his arm closer around me-though
wherefore | do not know. Together, too,
we had gone over the old farm house, he
lingering longest in the room where |
was born, and when he thought | didn't
see him, gathering a withered leaf from
the rose bush which grew beneath the
window, and which told him / had
planted when a little girl.
For a few days we fingered Mt my
mothers freside, and then, with the fall
of the first snowflake, we left for our
Southern home; Richard promising my
mother, who was loath to give me up,
that when the summer birds came back
and the roses were blooming again by
the door, he would bring his Rosa to
breathe once more the air of her native
hills We stopped at New York, Phila-
ielphia. Baltimore and Washington, and
it was not until the holidays were pass
ed that we landed at last at Charleston
and took the cars for Chester, which we
reached about dark.
With a loud cry of joy. Bill, who was
waiting for us, welcomed back his mas
ter. and then almost crushing my fingers
in his big black hand said. with n sly
wink. which he meant should be very ex-
pressive. Il know now what mars'r killed
dem bosses forr' at the same time max
ing some apology for the really sorry
looking animals he was compelled to
drive in the place of the deceased Ferdi-
nand and Frederic. As we drove through
the town. | could not help contrasting
my present feelings with those of the
year before. when l thought | was leav-
ing it forever. Then. weary, sick and
wretched | had looked through binding
tears toward Magnolia Grove, which
was now my home. while AT my side,
with his arm round me. was its owner
my husband.
You tremble. Rosa" said he rs we
drew near the house. and he hade me be
calmer, saying the meeting between my
self and his sister would soon be over.
But ii 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 req
son. aud thus / found it to be. As we
drove into the yard, we were surprised
at seeing the house brilliantly Lighted,
while through the open windows Sorns
of many persons were seen moving to
and fro.
In displeased tone Of voice Richard
said. ut is Angeline's work. and l do
not like it. for you need rest, and are too
much fatiyued 10 see any one tonight,
but suppose it cannot be avoided. Ho.
Bill" he called to the drives. who is
here?"
Some OBJ De quality" answered BIZ,
adding that Miss Angeline done 'vite
en- 10 see de bride"
She might at least have consulted my
wishes" said Richard. while my heart
sunk within me at being obliged to u get
stranger in my jaGed condition.
Mrs. Lansing. il seems. had IN her
mind new piano FOR Lima. their pres
eat one being rather old-fashioned. and
as the surest means of procuring cat. she
thought 70 please her brother by noticing
his bride. So in her zeal she rather over
did the matter. inviting many of the vii
layers. some OF whom we're friendly TO
i've and some were not. though all. | be-
lievS. FER curious 10 see how the pie
beial'-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 shs-de new miss. dat marsrs
Eftiu' 50 keerfuIly."
Upon the piazza stood Mrs. Lansing.
her face wreathed in smiles. while at her
side. in flowing white muslin, were Adj
and Liua. the former Of whom sprung
Sayly d0ws the steps. and with we'll
feigned JOY threw herself into the arms
Of her guardian. who. after kissing Ter
afTee-::caately. presented her 10 me. say
Ing. win Ada be q sister TO my wife,
anything for your sake" answered
Ada. with rather mere emphasis on your
than was quite pleasing 20 me-
Mrs. Lansing came next. and there
was something Of haufeur in her manner
as she advanced. for much as she desired
TO please her brother. she was not ret
fully prepared TO Meet me as an equal
But Richard knew the avenue 10 her
heart. and ae he placed nv hand IL hers