Sarah's First Start in Life Part 3

"Oh no; but tell me more about her. Has she any sisters?"

"No, not one, nor half a one; but she has lots and lots of brothers, and she often tells me she is right glad there are no more girls in the family, as they are none too well off as it is. Of course, her eldest brother earns a power of money, as his master just thinks a heap of him; but there, he's engaged, so what's the use of him? He saves and stints just because he wants to marry soon."

Sarah was now all excitement, and could hardly command her voice to ask this wonderful brother's name, however, Peggy volunteered it by saying--

"Maggie has just met d.i.c.k in Belfast--in fact, they were there the same day that we were. Maggie wrote to tell me yesterday. I'm right sorry I missed her, but her train went just before ours."

Peggy noticed (for who so sharp as Peggy?) Sarah's restlessness and her flushed face, and wanted to know what was the reason.

"Well," said Sarah, "I am the girl d.i.c.k's engaged to, and I have made a horrible mistake."

Peggy naturally wanted to know what the mistake was; but Sarah would not tell her, as she now felt she had been very silly, and she did not want to be laughed at.

Sarah now thought the best thing she could do was to write to d.i.c.k and tell him why she had behaved in such an extraordinary way at Belfast. He was very glad to get this letter, as he had been thinking a great deal about her, trying to understand how he had offended her. He wrote off at once and asked if she could possibly get another outing, in order to arrange about their wedding, as he had now saved quite enough and would not wait any longer.

Sarah had to be patient till Mrs. Sinclair came back, and when her mistress heard why the day was wanted she gladly gave the required permission. Sarah wrote to her former mistress telling her that her marriage would soon take place, and she would have to leave her present situation. Lady James answered her letter most kindly, and said that she and Sir Alfred were thinking of returning to their Scotch home, and offered her the place of lodge-keeper and d.i.c.k that of butler.

Sarah was perfectly delighted, and not less so when she found in the envelope a present of ten pounds, with which to buy herself some nice wedding clothes. She then went up to Mrs. Sinclair and told her about the offer Lady James had made them, and gave a month's notice, which she said she was really sorry to be obliged to do, but as d.i.c.k had done the same to his master, she hoped Mrs. Sinclair would not blame her. She then went to Belfast and told d.i.c.k about all the plans suggested. He was quite delighted, and as he had already given his master a month's notice, felt no compunction in leaving.

d.i.c.k made her promise to marry him in a month, and they then went to see his sister, Maggie, who was to be bridesmaid, and wear the wonderful dress.

The month soon pa.s.sed, and with Peggie's help, Sarah was able to make three new dresses, and various other things. Mr. Brown was very pleased to hear of his daughter's marriage, and was only sorry he was unable to be there himself, but he sent her six plated spoons and forks, and a small locket which her mother had left to her.

The servants were all sorry to lose Sarah, they gave her a silver tea-pot as a wedding gift, and saw her off at the station.

d.i.c.k and Sarah met at the door of St. Anne's church on this auspicious day. She was dressed in a blue alpaca gown, trimmed with white lace, and a hat to match. After the service was over, Mr. and Mrs. Bream went away in a brougham d.i.c.k had ordered for the occasion, and they had their wedding breakfast in the same hotel where Sarah had spent part of that eventful day, when she and her fellow-servants had come to Belfast for their holiday.

They both had a very happy time and went straight across to England, where they were to spend a few days with Sarah's father and his wife, till Lady James arrived from abroad.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown met them at the door of her old home, her father having taken a holiday for the occasion. During the following week, d.i.c.k and Sarah were mostly out of the house, visiting the Crystal Palace, and many other places which Sarah had never been able to see. When the week was over, they went together to see Lady James, and finding that she wished them to begin work at once, they packed up their belongings and set off for Scotland, where we will now leave them with many good wishes for a long and happy life.

THE END.