Year: 1879

dings were not very common In Glendon.
The bride was known by every one in
the village; and all who are acquainted
with country life know that such an
event could not occur without exciting
the greatest possible interest. The young
folks would have liked nothing better
than to have made general holiday of
the occasion; but their elders judged
that although Miss MARITIME was a great
favorite, she was scarcely of such impor-
tance as to warrant them in closing their
shops. 1t was true that they had once
done so; bnt that was when the Earl's
daughter was married, and no one could
help admitting that between an Earl's
daughter and one of the successful bull
ders there was considerable distance.
But although the day was not kept as
general holiday, there was not much
work done, for the moment when it was
known that Miss MARITIME, dressed in her
bridal attire of white silk and orange
blossoms, was waiting for the carriage,
down to the time when Mrs. Leighton,
in sober travelling-dress. had taken
her seat on the train, nothing seemed to
be thought of or talked of but the we'd
ding.


The lady herself rather enjoyed this
popularity. Every woman is queen
once in her life, namely, on her marriage
day, and Ada MARITIME had not had so
many opportunities of shining previously
to this, having always resided in the
village of Glendon, where the habits of
the people were simple. But now, in
her own mind, though she said nothing
about it, she had resolved that she
would not live so humdrum and plain a
life as she had done while at home. She
had not been quite pleased with her
father. He was, she felt sure, very sue
cessful in business, but he would not al
low his family to live up to their means,
but made them appear quite unpretend-
ing people. Ada did not intend that it
should be so in her married life, and a
hint or two that she had dropped had in
formed the bridegroom of her wishes,
and was the source of no little anxiety
to him.


He married so soon because he loved
intensely the girl to whom he was en-
gagged. He was a long time winning her
for he began early and he had been for
more than five years faithful to his first
love. They were engaged between two
and three years, which Ada thought was
long enough. If Charles Leighton could
have had quite his own way he would
have waited year longer, for his bust
ness, though gradually growing. was not
at present such as would warrant any
great outlay; but Ada took occasion one
evening to tell him in general though
significant way what she thought of long
engagements, and to say that she would
not herself be disposed to submit to
one.


After that it seemed to the young man
that he could not be so ungallant as to
let any considerable time pass without
asking her to ''name the day." And
though when he did so he hesitated and


talked of postponement. he felt that he
could do no other than persuade her t.
consent to an early union. After littl.
pressing she agreed, and Charlie, really
happy at the prospect, set about to make
arrangements for housekeeping. HI
hoped that the new expenses would no
be very great. He thought he coulc
, easily drop hint to Ada when sh,
was once his wife, to the effect tina
there was need for little econom,
|


and care. and then he thought the,
e would not do badly. He was sure tina
, she loved him enough not to mind al
. occasional doing without things that sh


might have liked and as for himself h
' would be very careful not to spend
r penny more than he could possibly help
j Then he had no fear of the future. |
= God gave him health and strength b
4 would work hard, and he felt sure that i
e the end he would prosper.


Naturally enough the wedding-da
G was very happy one to him, and whe
}, at the breakfast table kind friends spok
y highly of him and his bride, he felt tina
there was never a mere fortunate ma
). in the world than he. He was not sorr
e however, for men do not make a fus


when at last the breakfast was over, an
q Ada came down in her travelling dres
= with very red eyes it is true, for sh
). felt leaving her home exceedingly, b,
1t with sweet clinging movement of tt
is hands towards him that made his heaI
y leap for joy.


Take good care of her, Charlie, sal
" ~ the brides father, "she is giving U
le everything for you. Be very tender ar
ot | good To her in return"


le 81 will. God helping me-" said Cha
y lie, solemnly. as he put his arm arour
her.


:" So they went away. and enough o
to shoes were thrown after the carriage
70 delight poor mother with large faI