Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-11-01

Troubled them; but they were as far
from understanding It as they could
well be.
Everybody is up early today said
Mary. THE whole house is on the
move, Oh, dear, 1 begin to feel quito
nervous. Is there anything we can ID,
dearest? Perhaps you would like 10
try your dress on again." coaxingly,
Olivia shook her head with another
forced smile.
Il think not, Mary dear. I'm afraid
we are all rather tired Of trying on the
wedding garment
"Oh, no, indeed we're mott" they *
claimed in chorus. I'VE like It, You
cant tell how lovely you look in it,
IOliva. | should like all the world see
you, said Annie with a pensiye sigh.
II wish / were man and Mr. Brad,
stone"
~ wish you were!" said Olivia alb.
sently,
The girls laughed.
What "A strange speech for a bride.
elect, Oily. But, oh, | wanted to ask
you Is it true that Mr. Faradeane Is not
coming to the wedding? We only
heard it from Aunt Amelia last night
She came into our room to look at our
dresses"
olivia was arranging some flowers
which Bessie had brought up in her
hand when she came to prepare the
BATH and the two girls could not see
her face or the swift and sudden quiver
of her lips
mo, he is not coming He Is on
gagged today" she said.
How yexlng!" exclaimed Mary. 81.
should have particularly liked him to
have seen you It's very disagreeabla
Of him not to have put off his engage.
mcnt; and It's not like him to be dis
agreeable, is It, dear"
mo, said Olivia, in a dry voice.
Perhaps If you asked him" began
Mary thoughtfuly.
Olivia turned upon her with fash /"
her lovely eyes and the look of one tor.
| tured beyond endurance.
How can You suggest such thing"
she began; then, at the sight Of the
dismay on their faces, her voice soften.
ed and she forced a laugh "You silly
girls, you think everybody must think
your goose is swan as YOU do:
What does Mr.. Faradeane care about
weddings? All men hate them, and
very sensbly too"
"Oh, Olly! And Is he such great
friend Of yours?" said Mary meekly.
is he?' said Olivia. with a laugh
that sounded strangely in the girls
ears We'll, all the more reason that
| we should spare him the inflictlon."
She drew long breath and turned to
the window. Let us go downstairs
| into the garden; 1t seems hot and
sitting this morning" and she pushed
the hair from her forehead with an
| impatient gesture.
They wont downstairs, the two girls
feeling somehow chilled and per.
picked, and found the house, as Mary
had said, all alive. His lordship the
bishop was in the garden dscoursing
on roses to the squire, who looked
grave and preocCupied, for he was
thinking that in few hours his choic.
est rose would be taken from him
Aunt Amelia in morning robe OF
brilliant hue and Partisan fashion,
was hopping about among the flower
beds, bestowing shippers and smiles
upon all and sundry; and the stir and
hustle Of an unusual excitement SEEM
ed to peryade the air.
Olivia went up to her father and
kissed him with the tenderness which
seemed 10 have deepened since her
sacrifice, and, with his arm around
| her waist they were leading the way
to breakfast, when footman in the
Brdstone livery rode up, and, touch
ing his hat, delivered n box to Olivia.
Mary ana Annie uttered an exclama-
ton
"oh, do open IT, It's only tied with
string"
ALLOW me, said the bishop benign
ly, aud removing the lid he disclosed
three bouquets,
One, the largest was composed OF
rare white blossoms. and had gold
bracelet round the stem, with OLIVIA"
inlatd in pearls There were similar
bracelets for the two girls, who fell TO
eNclaiming rapturously:
oh, they are too lovely aren't they.
dear? How kind OF MIR. Bradston y.
And all alike, too!' and they ran from
one to the other to show their treas.
lures.
Extremely Handsome" said the
bishop, smiling Really, so generous
Ia bridegroom deserves to be happy"
Olivia said nothing for moment;
then, rs il suddenly romembering
said:
81 am glad YOU like them" and as
| Bessie passed near she called her aud