Mildred's New Daughter Part 30

"Aunt Sarah was saying only this morning that it was time to be preparing invitations to the wedding and sending them out," remarked Dorothy, "and she wants you girls to make out a list of the relatives and friends of the bridegroom that are to be, who ought to receive cards, so that she can attend to the business, which is just in her line, as she can do it sitting in her chair and with very little exertion."

"It is most kind in aunt, and we will write at once for such a list,"

replied Ethel, looking highly gratified; for both she and Blanche wished to show every attention to the relatives of Percy and Stuart, but had not thus far felt that they had any right to invite them, or anyone, to the house of their uncle; and he had expressed a wish to have the ceremony performed in his own parlor.

The letters were promptly written, sent by the next train for the West, and a reply containing the requested list came by the return of mail.

It gave the names of relatives only, few besides the Keiths, Aunt Wealthy Stanhope, and such of the Dinsmores as were related to Mrs.

Marcia Keith, the maternal grandmother of Percy and Stuart, including, of course, those of New Jersey who had for years so kindly befriended Ethel, Blanche, and their younger brother and sister.

The girls had few friends or acquaintances outside of the families of their two uncles, and desiring a quiet wedding because of their recent bereavement, none others were invited.

They were very busy with their preparations, yet had time enough to take matters easily and not be so overworked as to mar their good looks or exhaust their strength. They were almost at leisure and looking rosy and happy, when their intended partners for life walked in upon them some days before the one appointed for the important ceremony.

The arrival was not unexpected, for it had been agreed upon that they should come in good season to allow time for each young couple to make their purchases of household goods and have them shipped for Pleasant Plains before the wedding.

Some two or three days were spent most enjoyably in this fascinating work of choosing the adornments of their future homes, Dorothy sometimes accompanying them, by invitation, that they might have the benefit of her excellent taste and judgment.

In the meantime letters of acceptance or declination, accompanied by gifts--princ.i.p.ally of handsome jewelry or silver ware--came pouring in from the invited relatives, causing the most pleasurable excitement Ethel and Blanche had ever known.

Dorothy heartily rejoiced with and for them, fairly going into ecstasies over a diamond pin for each, from Mr. Horace Dinsmore and his father, and lovely bracelets from Mr. Travilla and his wife, the dear Cousin Elsie of whom they had often heard Mrs. Landreth speak.

These handsome gifts were accompanied by letters expressing kindly interest and the hope of making the acquaintance of the young brides at some future day, but declining to attend the wedding, as it was not convenient for any of them to leave home just at that time.

Aunt Wealthy, too, declined for the same reason, and because of her advanced years, but sent a piece of silver ware to each of the brides and a warm, even urgent invitation for a visit to her on their homeward way.

"Dear old auntie!" exclaimed Percy on reading the letter, which Ethel had handed to him, "I think, Stuart, we should try to manage it; if our brides are willing," he added with a smiling glance at the two girls sitting near. "It will not take us very much out of our way, and would be such a gratification to her."

"With all my heart, if the ladies do not object," returned Stuart with an enquiring look at them. "I do not believe either of them would regret it, for she is, as you say, 'a dear old lady.' A very amusing one, also, at times," he added with a mirthful look.

"Oh, yes; I have heard your mother and sisters speak of her, Percy, and I should like nothing better than to pay her a little visit in her own house, and engage her to make a return, if possible," Ethel said, her eyes sparkling with pleasure at the very idea.

"I, too," exclaimed Blanche. "Oh, it would be lovely! better than going to the Eastern States, if we cannot do both."

"Oh, we can do both," said Stuart, "if we do not stay too long at any one place."

"Yes, of course, we do not expect ever to have another honeymoon,"

laughed Percy. "If n.o.body objects, I'll write at once to Aunt Wealthy that we hope and expect to accept her invitation." A moment of silence, then Blanche said:

"I think you are safe in doing so, as we have all expressed a desire to make the visit."

"Yes; then I'll write to-night," said Percy. "Oh, by the way, I received a letter from Cousin Horace Dinsmore, junior--who is about my own age--accepting an invitation I sent him the other day to be one of our groomsmen."

"I am pleased to hear it," said Ethel. "Having heard a great deal about the family I have wanted very much to see them."

"Which I intend you shall one of these days, if I have to take you all the way down there," laughed Percy.

"Possibly you maybe able to induce them to pay us a visit this coming summer or fall," said Stuart. "I own to a strong desire to see them myself; so many years having pa.s.sed since there was an exchange of visits that I have no recollection of any of the family."

"I should think not," laughed Percy; "for if I am not mistaken none of them have visited our part of the country since you were born. I was taken down there in my babyhood, but, of course, have no recollection of the circ.u.mstances, or of the relatives I saw there. But we have heard so much talk about them, and read so many of their letters, that it almost seems as if we had seen and known them."

"Yes, I believe you are right," Stuart said musingly. "I shall be pleased to make the acquaintance of Horace, junior, so am very glad he is coming. It brings up the number of our groomsmen to six--Horace, Harry Eldon, Stuart Landreth, and the three cousins of the brides--George, William, and Albert."

"And we have the same number of bridesmaids," remarked Blanche; "your sister and Percy's two, his and your cousin Mary Keith, our cousin Minnie Eldon, and Dorothy. Aunt Sarah says we must have a rehearsal to-night."

"Yes," said Stuart, "and another after Horace Dinsmore gets here, as he will to-morrow, I think."

"And we expect all our party from Pleasant Plains to be here in the city by that time," added Percy; "so that we may hope to get all the intended bridesmaids and groomsmen together for that second one."

"I think they will get in to-night," said Stuart; "and it will be well if they do, as that will give them--I mean the girls, particularly--time to rest a bit before going through the ordeal."

"The rehearsal will be scarcely an ordeal, but----" It was Blanche who spoke, but she paused without finishing her sentence, and a.s.suming a comical expression of pretended fright and apprehension.

"The actual ceremony will?" queried Stuart laughingly.

"Yes; remembering that I have heard more than once that men are deceivers," she sighed. "Alas! if I should be mistaken in the one to whose keeping I commit my happiness."

"It would be dreadful," returned Stuart regarding her with admiring, laughing eyes, "and perhaps equally so should I be mistaken in the little woman to whom I commit mine. But I am not afraid."

"Nor need you be, Blanche, let me a.s.sure you," said Percy. "Try to be as reasonable and trustful as Ethel, who I feel convinced is not the least afraid of me," he added with a happy little laugh, and a glance of ardent affection at his betrothed.

"Ah, who shall say that that is not because she is a brave--if not particularly bright woman?" laughed Ethel.

"I," said Percy; "you, Miss Eldon, are the only person who will be permitted to utter such a slander concerning her in my presence."

The next few days seemed taken up by a whirl of pleasurable excitement--introductions to new friends, soon to become relatives, the reception of many beautiful presents, the rehearsals of those who were to take part in the ceremony, the tr.i.m.m.i.n.g of the house with flowers, the trying on of wedding finery, and selecting of flowers--orange blossoms--for the adornment of the brides.

There was scarcely time to think of the pain of the coming partings from brother, uncles, and other relatives; pain it would be, yet not to be compared with that of many a young bride who must leave father, mother, home, and more than one loved brother and sister.

The wedding was a p.r.o.nounced success; brides and bridesmaids looking their best--groom and groomsmen also--and each going through his or her part of the ceremony in an altogether creditable manner.

A wedding feast followed; then came the leave-takings and the scattering of the guests and the bridal party, the latter taking the cars for New York, where they spent some days in sight-seeing; from there they went on to Boston, where a week was spent visiting places in the city and its vicinity interesting from a historical point of view. Then they returned to New York, went up the Hudson on a fine steamer to West Point, where they spent a day and a night; then by boat again up to Albany, where they made but a brief halt, then took the cars for Saratoga, spent a few days there, during which they visited the battlefield--all being intensely interested in everything connected with the struggle that had made us a nation.

Their next pause was at Niagara, where they made a brief stay to see the Falls. From there they went to Lansdale, O., to pay the promised visit to Aunt Wealthy, which would be their last halt on their homeward way.

CHAPTER XXIII.

It was on a lovely June morning that our bridal party arrived in Lansdale. They were met at the depot by Aunt Wealthy's nephew Mr. Harry Duncan, and driven directly to the pretty cottage which had been for so many years the home of the dear old lady. She met them on its porch with both hands outstretched in cordial greeting to the dearly loved grandnephews, and their wives of whom this was her first sight, gave them the tenderest of greetings, then led them within doors and gave them in charge to Mrs. Duncan and Mrs. Lottie Allison, who conducted them to their respective rooms and left them there to refresh themselves by the removal of the dust of travel and a change of raiment.

An excellent dinner, served in Aunt Wealthy's dining room and partaken of by all the members of the three families, followed in due season, the dear old lady herself taking the head of the table and doing the honors as gracefully as though she had seen but half the years which had actually pa.s.sed over her head.

Ethel felt strongly drawn to her and the attraction seemed mutual.

"I am greatly obliged to you, boys," Aunt Wealthy said in her sweet, silvery tones, glancing from Ethel to Blanche and back again, "for furnishing me with two such sweet and lovable grand-nieces. I only wish I could keep you and them near me without robbing our dear ones in your native town. Now if you could persuade your parents and grandparents to leave Pleasant Plains for Lansdale and you to settle here also, it would be very delightful to your old auntie."

"It would be very delightful for us to have her near at hand," returned Percy with a smile, "but surely much easier to carry her there with us, than to bring all our numerous tribe here. What do you say to the idea of joining our party when we start for home again, Aunt Wealthy?"