Year: 1875

will find it rather lonely and dull"


Then I commenced to ask him thousand
and one questions, and his answers made me
satisfied and happy, and no fear of loneliness
or dullness with him found place in my
mind.


That evening passed-the. next day came
and went-and the sun arose upon my bridal
morn.


We had hurried, early breakfast, of which
no one partook. There was to be company
breakfast when the ceremony was over, which
I had presentiment would greatly resemble
funeral feast, and my own share in which l
was resolved to make as slight as possible. l
had wanted to be married in travelling dress,
and take leave Immediately, but this my
godmother 80 stoutly opposed that l was
fain to abandon the scheme. Two brides
maids should and must have, and she was
not going to see me looking old-womanish and
dismal in gray poplin gown and straw bon
net, by the side of their white musins and
fine furbelows and founces. So my dress was
white silk, quite simply made, with a, long
plain veil of tulle and an orange wreath
and thought as looked at myself in the
mirror, when my toilette was completed, that
l had never seen 80 complete picture of
frightened ghost as my reflection presented to
my gaze. In truth, now that the final mo.
ment was at hand, I felt dismal enough, and
my tears were dangerously near-a condition
which excited aunt Mabeps extreme solici-
tude and apprehension, lest I might mar the
comfort of our guests and disturb the ceremo-
nv by an untimely burst of emotion.


"Rosamond, child, you really must not cry"
she said entreatingly, as she put the finishing
touches to my dress. "It would put your
papa in dreadful state, and I don't know
what we should all do"


mo, WON'T cry, aunt Mabel" answer
ed, reluctantly; and in my effort to carry out
this determination, fixed my features in a
rigid form, which was anything but becoming
to them, and kept them so during the ordeal
which ensued. They say all brides look pref
ty; but I am sure l was an exception to the
rule.


Well it was over at last, breakfast and all
and Mrs. Arthur Wardlaw, arrayed in the
gray poplin and straw bonnet aforesaid, came
down stairs, with red eyes, to bid her relatives
and friends good-by. The worst parting
that with my father-was reserved for the
final one and my heart seemed to come into
my throat and stiAe me, as / approached him
where he stood, little removed from every.
body else, at one end of the room. wanted
to pull him out into the hall, anywhere, so |
could have him a moment to myself; but he
stood quietly there, and drawing me close to
him, looked calmly and steadily into my en-
treating eyes. His lips were white, but they
did not tremble, as he uttered his farewell
words.


"God bless you, Rosy my best wishes 60
with you, and with your husband. Good-by,
and write to me very soon."


"Papap 1 murmured, clinging to him,
"Oh papa, tell me, once more, that you love
me-that am your own Rosy, still"


He faltered for moment, then; but soon
overcame the passing weakness.


"You know that l love you always" he re-
piled, gently. "Itis growing late, you must
not stay any longer, now. Good'by-my little
one~


The last words escaped him, as if involun-
tarily, and were uttered with sudden quiv-
ering tenderness that went to my heart. He
put my hand in my husbands. did not
witness the parting between them, for l was
blinded by my tears but it must have been
very brief, for almost at the same moment, l
was led off to the carriage, which stood wait
ing for US. The order to start was given.
Scipio cracked his whip, and the carriage
rolled smoothly off over the gravel road, a
little black boy running before US to open the
gates. We passed the latter, and the happy
home of my girlhood was left behind, to be
seen by Rosamond Lambert no more.


My husband acted wisely He forbore to
interrupt my natural grief, but let it for q
time have its vent, knowing that its full out
pouring would ease my heart more efectually
than any consolation he could offer. And so
it was. After little while my tears exhausted
themselves, and was able to listen with re-
turning calmness to the brief words of afec-
ton with which he sought to soothe and divert
my mind, saying just enough, from time to
time, to direct my thoughts to the future, so
full of interest to me, or to call my attention
to surrounding objects as we travelled along !;
and by the time we reached the railroad
station I was almost myself again and able to
put up my blue veil without fear of attracting
notice. Here had to say another goodbye,
to the sable Scipio, who had "toted" me as
baby, and given me my first lessons in riding
on horseback, and who was very anxious to
be informed by "the doctor" when l was COM
ing back again.


doctor, please bring Miss Rosamond soon
to pay we all visit; de ole place will be too
lonesome when she gone"


II promise to let her come just as often as
she wants" was the reply; "and dare say
your master will let you visit Carolina one of
these days, if be finds that you are pining at:
ter Matilda"


Hereupon Matilda giggled, and Scpio dis
played his ivory teeth in IN delighted smile,
for courtship had long been going on be-
tween the sable pair, which would probably
result in stylish wedding some day, provi-
ded Tidy could be induced to relinquish her
fondness for having FIVE or six beaux at a
time, and would consent to return home with
out me to live A serio-comic leave-taking
between them ensued, which was cut short by
the shrek of the approaching locomotive:
The train stopped, we took our places, and
with whiz and roar we were of, Matilda
waving her white handkerchief from the win
dow as long as the station was in sight.


The evening shadows were gathering as we
reached our stopping place, where Arthur,s
carriage was waiting to receive US. An hours
drive brought US to the close of our journey.
looked eagerly out. A dark, indistinct build
ing, with ghts shining from the front
windows, rose up before me. The front
door, dis splaying lighted hall, stood open,
and negroes were moving about among the
trees with pine.torcbes, which shed 6tful
glare upon the dusky scene


"WeIcome to Sleepy Hollow, Rosamond,"
said DR.. Wardaw, as he assisted me to alight