Year: 1872

never guess though your astonlshment canhet
be as great as mine was 1t is Mr.. Van
Vechten, the same man I thought she hated.
1t seems it was love at sight on both sides,
and Conway only hated herself for losing her
heart in spite of her determination not to
Weld. She can console herself by thinking
that it took a steady siege to win her hand
after her heart was gone. He visited here
constantly in the spring and thought it was
relief to Conway when he went home.
That he wrote to her regularly-in spite of
her sience-I never dreamed; and Eugene
had so little curiosity as to never look at the
post-mark of letter when he brought it home;
so you may imagine our surprise when Mr..
Van Vechten came back few weeks ago, and
made Conway formal offer. She tried to
refuse him but he persevered in his suit, and
now she acknowledges it would kill her to
give him up. She made one stipulation-that
Mr.. Van Vechten should either live here or
in Charleston, and he has decided to 60 into
business here. Of course am delighted"


Conway herself wrote


"Georgia has told you all about me, and 1
know you will be astonished after the many
times have declared would rather die than
marry Northerner. But mothers saying is
true, ave never know what we shall do until
we are tried"


"Only think Mr.. Van Vechten fell in love
with me for Grace, and should be tempted
to say am glad she is to be married as soon
as we are, did I not know that even her
charms cannot win him from me now. We
shall be there about week before the day
T., L., F,,r la Of, nd hall
beg your and fathers permission for ours to
come off at the same time, quietly and with
out any great preparations. Mr.. Van Vech-
ten has written to father and given him infor.
nation, which was entirely new to me till
Eugene told me of it tonight. 1 thought
him almost poor man, and was dreaming Of
Glove in cottage )" and though not sorry it
will turn out palace, I could bear anything,
any lot, so Mr.. Van Vechten shared it with
ME"


Mrs. Elliott could hardly believe it was
Conway who wrote thus, till she called to
mind her deep nature and frmness when she
had resolved on any course. Love had con-
quered pride and prejudice. The struggle
had lasted through the summer, but the vic
tory was decisive.


Russell, about this time, wrote to his father
for advice. Eugene had made him an excel
lent offer, and his employers in Charleston
wished him to remain there


After letters pro and con, MIR. Elliott
agreed with Russell that Eugene's offer was
the best, and letters of acceptance were writ
ten.


One week at home would be all he could
give, and Mrs. Elliott's tears fell in spite of
every effort at control, that two more of her
children would be so far from her; yet for
Georgia's sake she was glad.


She never told Grace how she suffered in
town, and then while Grace was there, for
her tender care during her headaches, lest it
should grieveher and now thatshe must learn
to bear the pain and never have her near, it
added to her sufferings; but when Grace
spoke of it and feared she ought not to marry
and leave her, Mrs. Elliott hid her own feel
ings, and would not listen to anything which
could cast a shadow over the plans and hopes
of her darling.


Mr.. Elliott remembered having been pleased
with Mr.. Van Vechten when he met him in
the spring, and he obtained more fattering
credentials of his position, fortune and family
than he had expected.


That disastrous year, as so many found
1867, was certainly an unfavorable one to Mr..
Elliott; and it may be that seeing how unfor-
tunate he was, and what gloomy prospect
was before him, made him give his consent to
the marriage of his two daughters more readi-
ly than they had anticipated.


Jack had done better with his small farm
and few workmen than Mr. Elliott with his
great plantation and hundreds Of hands; for
he had made expenses and something to live
on another year, which was more than his
uncle had.


Conway came home radiantly beautiful in
the great affection which seemed to pervade
every emotion of her soul. She was trans
formed and every virtue, good quality and
grace of mind or manner, had received new
strength and beauty. She was no lovesick
girl-but strong, noble, loving woman.


Mrs. Elliott saw that all which had been
lacking to make Conway as perfect as Grace
was now found and as the days wore on, she
could but acknowledge Mr.. Van Vechten
was worthy of the peerless being he was so
proud of winning.


Georgia could not be home to the weddings.
Her baby, boy, was too young for her to
take such journey; but she was there in
spirit, and knew two lovelier brides would
never be married in her uncle's chapel again.


Conway took precedence on account of age,
and was married first; but it would be diff
cult to say who took rank in happiness.


Mr.. Ellison was the officiating clergyman,
and one of the fondest wishes of his heart was
realized when he had finished the solemn
ceremony which made Grace the wife Of his
well-beloved Jack.


There was no party-justa family dinner
after the double wedding. The word is used
understandingly, and not in the local sense
which confines it to wedding festivities, and
Conway set off on grand tour, spending some
weeks in Washington, and several with her hus-
bands relatives, before going to New Orleans
to preside over an elegant mansion, furnished
with every luxury wealth and taste could
purchase.


Grace went at once to Jacks humble home,
and began at once routine of daily duties,
relieved from homeliness by the light of love; !;
and so happy and blest was she in her busy,
useful life, that not even Mr.. Elliott ever