The Newtown bee., 1904-12-23

II. 4 NJ NEW 2. .., YORK O. IT <@A sli drasrist: I M
 these may be arranged in a coronet, ,
 and as she lifted the milky pearls
 against her soft dusky brown braids o1
 hair, he thought what a beautiful
 bride. she would be. Just then she
 stood aghast. Sally and Betty were in
 Ut is tragic, "she exclaimed. "HoW
 can we give them back?"
 1T fear Madame La Tour will be
 deeply hurt," said the aunt gently
 "Put up the things, but will talk
 with my brother before they are sent.'
 Polly returned. 'I have reprieve," |"
 she whispered. Christmas is SO near
 that he says he will not make us re-
 turn the gifts until afterward."
 All looked surprised at what seemed
 flimsy, delay, but Polly could not
 had told her father that Madam La
 Tour believed Alice betrothed to
 Richard, and these were intended as
 bridal gifts-these, he admitted, it
 would be most rude to return-and
 not at all as payment for his hospi-
 tality. He had agreed that if such an engagement was announced before Christmas week had passed, the gifts might be retained. No one told Alice, but Richard soon discovered that ali the household were on his side; even the judge was not opposed to him. He had been seriously disturbed by AliceS apparent caprice in seeming to prefer Paget, and had feared the scan- dal of quarrel, or perhaps; duel. be- tween the suitOrs, and safe marriage would spare him much anxiety. Rich ard would be, not only kind husband, butt faithful protector of his girls interests, if he himself were removed, and he felt how helpless his daughters were, and untitted to cope with guile or fraud.
 Meanwhile the girls looked forward gayly, to the negroes dance. Alice tune, and Betty overlooked Dinah's by special request of Sam, who warily desired his Sweetheart not to be too cOnSpiciouS, when Saul was to be pres ent.
 "Yit l wants her to look fine, too, Miss Betty, and like bride, please. ''
 Betty showed white veil and a wreath of flowers, not to be worn un- til after Saul had chosen; and Dinah and Sam smiled with perfect content. Strange to say, Saul behaved exact- bic, tall, erect, with floating pink mus lin dress and the discarded earrings glittering on her head and neck (where 1 they formed a necklace of pendants), 1 hanging from ears and even nose, he | uttered a delighted "ugh!' and sprang into the ring of dancers, claiming her | as partner. So soon as ''the white folks'' appeared as spectators (the family, the old minister and his fam fly and Richard)CSaul's eyes shone. Richard had Alice on his arm-he was then successful-and Saul claimed his promise.
 "Marster, wants my woman now"
 This was the first time he had ever acknowledged Richard, and he turned to Alice to beg her influence with her maid. She said kindly:-
 VI see you are going to say, yes' this time, Cumbie."
 "Yes, Miss Alice-if you'll marry Mars Richard next month, and come to his home, I Il say yes now"
 Richard looked eagerly at Alice. 'I'll try to make you happy all the lays of your life, dearest.''
 Alice turned to her father. "Papa, 'ou don't want to give me up, so 'OOn?"
 But the judge smiled. "You owe Richard some recompenSe, daughter.
 Please, Miss Alice," urged Cumbie.
 So Alice, wooed in this surprising md public fashion, gave her hand to A shout of joy arose from III the Cabell and the Wynstone ne- 'rOeS.
 "I believe my services are required" aid the old minister, and drew out lis book. ''I was told to bring this"
 Saul, previously instructed by Sam, ed Cumbie forward, and answered as old. Scarcely was this ended, when am himself, who had slipped away, with Dinah on-his hand, in veil and towers, and the econd marriage ceremony took place. In the meanwhile Alice had run way, and Richard only found her at aSt by auntieS side.
 "I was afraid they were going to larry me off, too, as we'll as engaging le to you-against my will" but a cry lovely smile softened the last 'OrdS.
 "Oh, no,' said Richard, 'I am will lg to wait,-No, Pm not willing, but
 will wait-till next month, Alice. ouldn't we be married on New-year s ay?"