Year: 1873

them. lhey asked me 10 Jolu Iue paiIy ou',
of course, that was impossible. Twas obliged
to remain with aunt Patsy, and on this occa-
sion, the path of duty was, by far, the most
pleasant to me.


We had very quiet wedding-only the
immediate friends of the family being present.
Nellie was not much changed by the respon-
sibilities of her new position, and she kept the
same happy smile on her face to the last.
When she went to take leave Of aunt Patsy
and receive her blessing, the old lady was al
most overcome by her emotion.


"Ah child, how I shall miss your bright
sunny face" said she, with the tears stream
ing down her cheeks.


"But, aunty, you know am not going to
be away all my life. am coming home ev'
cry six months Harry says that l may"


"And if you don't look out, Harry will say
that you may not. know all about young
husbands, though I never had either old or
young myself They don't believe in their
wives going back to their old homes. l shall
never see you again, child"


II shall think you do not like Harry, if
you speak in this way, aunty. You don't
think he is the stranger who is to bring ruin
and disgrace on the family, do you ?"


"Hush! child you must not jest about that.
God forbid that your husband should verify
the old prophecy. He is fine young man,
and like him very much and you may take
my word for it, he's going to make you be-
have yourself. But I see be is waiting-so
tell me goodbye"


The house was desolate, and lonely beyond
expression, after they all left. I tried to be
very busy, and in that way keep down troubled
and anxious thoughts. John was only to be
absent few days, and intended returning for
Mary in a month or two. Her health had
not been good, and we believed the change
would benefit her. rather enjoyed the idea
of having John all to myself fagain, and I have
often thought since, fit had not been for
those weeks of quiet interchange Of confidence
and sympathy, that he could not have come
to me as he did afterward.


On his return home, he mentioned large
dinner which had been given the bride by Mr..
Richard Howard.


"Mary did not seem to care about going at
6rst," he said "but was very glad after
wards that she did 60. You have no idea,
Matte, how lovely she looked that day."


II can we'll imagine it, John. I have al
ways thought her very pretty; but was she
looking stronger and better when you left ?"


eyes; that is, she had more color, though
I didn't think she was quite as bright and
cheerful as she was at home"


"You know it is the first time she has been
separated from you since her marriage Per-
haps it was that thought which made her ap-
pear more quiet"


"It may have been. l wish she was with
us again. ...


In my heart, echoed that sentiment most
fervently, but I said nothing. 1t was not
want of trust in Mary, so far as her affection
for John was concerned I knew that she
loved him devotedly now, but it was plain
that Richard Howard had acquired some
mysterious influence over her, and that he in
tended to use that influence to the detriment
of Mary's happiness, was equally evident.


was seated one evening, reading aloud, to
aunt Patsy, when servant announced Miss
Nancy Turner. I put down my book with a
sigh, for I knew before that interview was
over, I was to hear all the gossip Of the neigh
borhood, embellished by the not very amiable
remarks of this talkative spinster. However,
with the fervent hope thatshe would leave the
household of Elmwood alone, and con6ne
herself to her particular friends, proceeded
to meet my visitor. Her first words we're


"Well Matte, suppose yours will be the
next wedding at Elmwood. But, pray child,
don't have it secret one; every one is talk
ing about the sly way in which you good
people manage such things"


II am sorry every one has not more
pro6tablesubject of conversation, Miss Nancy.
can assure you it is matter of perfect in
difference to us what is said about the we'd
dings in this family. We generally arrange
them to suit ourselves, and, so far, l Aatter
myself, have succeeded admirably


"I'm glad you are satisfied. None so blind
as those who won't see,' you know; but l
should think Johns wife might tell differ
ent story"


could not help smiling when heard this.
It seemed SO absurd that John and Mary
should not be happy-loving each other, as l
knew they did. Before could say anything,
Miss Nancy having observed the expression Of
my countenance, said


"You would not smile in that way, Matte,
if YOU had heard all that Ihave heard about
her."


Gas it would be impossible for any one to
make me believe that Mary is not happy as
Johns wife, I prefer not hearing anything
more" 1 then added, by way Of changing
the subject, "Have you seen Henrietta Lewis
lately?"


eyes, have just come from therein fact,
it was Henrietta who told me all l have
heard"


The idea occurred to me, if the information
came from that source, perhaps it would be
best for me to hear it. After knowing Miss
Nancy's authority, there seemed greater
probability of putting an end to the gossip. I
said


"What is it you have heard, Miss Nancy?
1t seems to annoy you so much, that it will
afford me pleasure to convince you it is false"


"I don't see how you can do that, Matte,