AN INTERESTING EVENT--SHADE AND SUNSHINE.
When Mr. Lawson called at "Sunnybank" on the following day he was
pained to hear that Mr. Verne had taken a bad turn. The physician
had given strict orders that none should approach him except an old
nurse who had seen much service in the family.
"It has been too much for him," murmured Phillip as he closed the
doer behind him, and again the word "to-morrow" sounded
prophetically in his ear.
But the solicitor was not allowed to indulge further in gloomy
thought. He had scarcely seated himself at his office desk when the
bright countenance of Mr. Moses Spriggins beamed upon all around.
"Good morning, Mr. Spriggins," exclaimed Mr. Lawson heartily glad to
see the face of his honest friend.
"Don't be too sure that you're glad to see me, Mr. Lawson," (Mr.
Spriggins having dropped the appellation of 'Squire) "for I've come
on a kinder disagreeable errant."
"I am sorry to hear _that_, Mr. Spriggins. But perhaps it is
not so bad as you imagine," said the solicitor very cheerily.
"It's the roughest on you, sir. I tell yer what it is, it ain't a
very disagreeable piece of bus'ness for me to git married to Melindy
Jane Thrasher when we've been a-courtin' mor'n two years--jest two
years last hayin' time, for Melindy came to our house to help the
wimmin folks and the first time I sot eyes on her I'd made up my
mind."
Mr. Spriggins was becoming very eloquent on the subject and might
have said much more (not to the point) when interrupted.
"And you have come to inform us that we must give up Melindy?"
"Yes, sir, that is the hull thing in a few words," cried Mr.
Spriggins very much elated, "Isn't it a wonderful gift you fellars
have of speakin' right to the pint. By hokey, I'd give a good deal
if I was a lawyer--an honest, fair-square one like yerself, sir."
"Thank you Mr. Spriggins," said the young man trying hard to look
serious.
"I was at yer place last evenin', sir, and as Melindy and me talked
the thing over, she said that she felt backward of tellin' you, and
says I, Melindy, I'll see Mr. Lawson meself and tell him to look
out for another girl, so as you'd not be left without help."
"And you have given us sufficient time, I hope," said Mr. Lawson,
smiling.
"We're to be spliced a fortnight from next Tuesday, sir, and if it's
not askin' too much, I'd like terrible well if yerself and Miss
Lottie could come up to Mill Crossin' to be present at the
cer'mony."
"If nothing prevents we will go," said the young man quietly.
Mr. Spriggins sat for some moments and then informing the solicitor
that he had some business at the insurance office rose to take
leave.
"I suppose you have heard of Mr. Verne's illness?" ventured Mr.
Lawson.
"Yes, sir, Melindy and meself was a-talkin' the hull thing over last
night. He is a fine gentleman, sir,--and the young lady--I'm so glad
she's back again. Ah! she's a fine girl, sir. I bet the old
gentleman will be all right now, for the sight of her face is
bettern' all the medicine in all the poth'cary consarns in St John."
What a temptation presented itself to the young man. He could easily
ask the honest-hearted fellow about his interview with Mr. Verne,
and of the effect upon him; also the nature of the conversation.
That Moses Spriggins formed a connecting link in some future
disclosure he was doubly convinced, but it must come about by an
established order of things; and the young lawyer thanked God that
he was given sufficient strength to withstand the power of the
tempter.
When Mr. Lawson went home that evening he received the full benefit
of the information imparted to Miss Lottie.
It had been arranged that the latter should assist in the selection
of the indispensable trousseau, and this was indeed a source of
delight.
Mr. Spriggins came to town many times ere he could suit himself in a
brand-new suit of clothes, also some new furniture to make things
look "kinder nobby."
Nell Spriggins had been married some weeks previous, and as she had
borne away her "fit out," there were many vacant corners in the
Spriggins homestead, which of course fell to the lot of Moses to
restore in due order.
But Mr. Spriggins was equal to the occasion.
"It ain't every day a feller gits spliced, I can tell yer, and one
orter put the best foot for'ard. Tell you what it is, mother,
Melindy and me is a-goin' to make the folks' eyes stick out when we
'pear out in the Mill Crossin' meetin' house."
The good old lady wiped her glasses and advised her son to be
moderate in his ideas, "for," said she, "I always think that a quiet
beginnin' makes the best endin'"
"Endin', did you say, mother' Wal, that's very encouragin', to be
a-talkin' about endin' when a fellar feels like livin' till he has
to be killed off," and Moses' big blue eyes glistened like two big
china marbles.
"Now, Moses, if you _are_ a-goin' to be married, you needn't be
a-losin' of every speck of sense. It's enough for a bit of a boy to
be a-makin' of sich light speeches."
Mrs. Spriggins' remarks were brought to a close by Moses making an
exit via the back door, and when the privacy of the sheep-house had
been gained he sat down on a big log and began counting how much
money he had still on hand after his trip to town on the day
previous.
"Let's see--there's thirty-six dollars and one cent. Yes, every
cent's a cent, and twenty-one dollars Sam Wiggles owes me, and the
two loads o' hay Jim Briggs is a-takin' to town this week--that's
sure cash--well, thirty-six and twenty-one is fifty-seven, and the
hay--wal, it's all as good as seventy-five dollars."
A couple of huge hogs acting upon the aggressive in appropriating a
large share of hen feed, now interrupted the soliloquy, and after
combating the unscrupulous animals, Moses Spriggins once more seated
himself upon the log.
"Wal, seventy-five dollars won't make a bad spread, neither. I'm
terrible sorry that there's trouble in the Verneses. I'd like deuced
well to have that Miss Margit--now that's too highfalutin a name for
me--if Melindy were here she'd git it off in good style."
Silence reigned for a moment; then Moses took up the thread of
discourse. "When a fellar's gettin' spliced hisself he wants every
one else to follow. Wal, it's no use a-sayin' it, but if Mr. Lawson
and Miss Verne could have both a-come to the weddin' there's no
tellin' what might have happened. They'd git interested in the
cer'mony, and I'd bet ten to one they'd be a-proposin' before it was
over. Wal, sir, if Mr. Verne gits the leastest bit better, I'm
a-goin' after Miss Verne, sure pop."
Moses having made such resolution now carefully folded the notes in
his business-like pocket-book and set off to do the work which
awaited him.
It was, indeed, somewhat of a coincidence to know that at the same
moment when Moses Spriggins was speculating upon the prospects of
his legal friend that the latter should be also troubled about the
veritable Moses.
Lottie Lawson had gone to "Sunnybank," brimming over with the
affairs of the elated Melindy Jane.
Marguerite listened to the child's amusing description of the many
articles that were hourly displayed by the expectant bride, and when
consulted as to the choice of a wedding present, thoughtfully
proposed sending one herself.
"Oh. Miss Verne, that will be delightful," cried Lottie, clapping
her hands in childish glee. "Why, Melindy will have lots of nice
things; I know what brother Phillip is going to give--a pretty China
tea-set--and mine, a pair of napkin rings."
Marguerite smiled at the little maid's enthusiasm, and warned her
against being too communicative to Melindy Jane.
"Indeed, she will not know what they are until brother Phillip and I
go out to Mill Crossing."
Lottie took her departure and Marguerite once more sought her
father's room to take her place beside his bed.
* * * * *
"Spriggins, did you say, papa?"
"Yes, child--I want the paper."
"Which paper, papa--can I get it for you?"
In the effort to make known his wishes his memory had failed him,
and Marguerite stood utterly helpless to execute that wish.
"Something is on papa's mind--some paper. It is, indeed, of much
importance, for poor papa has been deeply agitated."
The girl had noticed that her father's eyes always rested upon her
in a mute, half-despairing appeal, yet she had not courage to
question him upon the matter.
"If I could only speak to Mr. Lawson, but there is a restraint
between us that I suppose under the circumstances is only natural. I
am the affianced wife of Hubert Tracy and Phillip Lawson is not the
man to take advantage of his influence."
A heavy sigh escaped Marguerite and instantly she raised both hands
as if to compress the aching brow and wearied brain.
In the quiet of her own chamber Marguerite Verne felt that she was
safe from human eyes. She longed to give vent to her pent up sorrow,
and sitting down upon a pretty ottoman (the work of her own
industrious hands) uttered a low and mournful wail--such only as
would express a broken heart.
"Oh Phillip Lawson, it is hard to meet you every day of my life and
to know that we are strangers indeed--yes, worse than strangers. Oh,
my sad heart. None but heaven will ever know what I have suffered
and am suffering now. Oh, Phillip! Phillip! why is your image ever
before me! Why do you approach me with your grave but kind face and
hold out your hand in tenderest sympathy! Oh, my heart, it is
maddening! Why was I born to such feeling! Why was I cursed with the
susceptibilities of a warm and loving heart! Why were not these
sympathetic chords torn rudely asunder ere they could vibrate with
such anguish! Why did not my heart turn into stone ere it took root
in such deadly bitter soil! Ah well, love is common and grief is
common--'Never morning wore to evening but some heart did break.'
And I am only a drop in the great ocean--the great sea of
struggles--heart-aches and bitter groans!"
A rustle of garments in the outer hall caused Marguerite to raise
her head and as she caught a glimpse of her sorrowful face in the
mirror opposite she felt a sudden pang and seemed to meet the mild
despairing gaze of her idolized parent.
"Dear papa, what would he think of his rebellious child?"
Immediately the girl was trying to look brave and struggling hard to
set aside all the painful thoughts.
Marguerite fortunately was endowed with much will power. She could
master her thoughts to such a degree that a quiet, calm content
would succeed, and in this condition she went to her mother's room.
Mrs. Verne was now in a semi-invalid state. She was moody and
morose, and oftentimes much depressed. It would be charitable for us
to think that this woman reflected upon her past foolishness; and be
it as it may we will give her the benefit of the doubt.
Mr. Verne saw little of his wife, but there were moments when his
thoughts went back to the child-wife of his youth, and a tear
glistened in his eye as he recalled the bright scenes of the sadly
dimmed life.
But Marguerite Verne compensated for her mother's defects. She was
truly all in all to her fond parent. Her smile was his beacon light.
Her voice was more musical than harp or psaltery, and her loving
ministration were life indeed; and as each morning and evening the
girl clasped her hands and knelt beside her father's couch reading
aloud the several beautiful prayers for the visitation of the sick,
what soul could fail to be deeply affected.
"What a picture for a Guido, a Rembrandt, or a Correggio," thought
Phillip Lawson as he stood on the threshold not daring to breathe
lest he break the solemn spell; and as he noiselessly turns away the
vision haunts him with increasing vividness. "Turn which way I will
it is always the same," he murmured, and entering Warwick's elegant
china store felt like anything but selecting a bridal present.
But the world has its claims upon us, and Phillip Lawson was shown
the many beautiful patterns of delicate china cups, plates, etc.,
and very soon selected a pretty tea-set that would make glad the
heart of the expectant bride.
The young man had crossed over to the northern side of King street,
but had not gone many steps when he heard familiar voices, looking
around he espied the piquant Lottie and her domestic making their
way into the handsome and tasteful establishment of Manchester,
Robertson & Allison. The young solicitor was amused as he thought of
the conversation which he had accidently overheard on the previous
morning.
But for the shopping excursion.
Lottie with an air of importance had given much advice to the
jubiliant Melindy but when that great emporium, so dear to many a
woman's heart, had been, reached the latter almost lost her senses.
"If Mose could just peek in wouldn't he stare?" said she, casting
her eyes on a pile of silks that had been displayed upon the
counter.
Lottie smiled, and having directed Melindy's attention to a choice
lot of dress material stepped to the other end of the ware-room to
speak to one of her acquaintances.
The shades were too dull to suit Melindy's taste. She wanted it for
a "pertikler occasion" and if she had thought in time would have
brought a "certain person" in to choose it.
The merry twinkle in the clerk's eye brought Miss Lottie to the
rescue, and after much deliberation on the part of Melindy a heavy
piece of all-wool goods of bright maroon was at length decided upon
for the best dress, while another of fancy plaid was chosen for
reception purposes.
It is needless to enter into detail of all the knick-knacks that
took Melindy's eye, but we cannot pass the millinery department,
into which the latter was ushered by the amused but undemonstrative
Lottie.
A bonnet was, of course, the desired article.
"It does look kinder nice," said Melindy surveying the pretty,
tasteful cream-colored lace with a bunch of neat French flowers in
relief, "but it looks to me as if it wasn't hardly dressy enough."
"We can easily arrange it to suit your taste," said the young lady
in attendance as she went towards the show-case and began assorting
some bright-colored roses as more acceptable.
"Wal, there's sumthin' more becomin'!" said Melindy into a high key,
"and I'm certain that 'person' would like it better."
Melindy Jane cast a significant glance at Miss Lottie who in turn
gave it to the young lady and the result was significant smiles all
around.
"Well, its nothing to be ashamed of. I s'pose we might as well tell
you that I want it for peerin' out with, and as there's alwus so
many remarks passed I'd like it to be sumthin' dressy."
"Certainly," said the young lady, and within a very short time the
cream-colored bonnet was in reality a bed of roses, highly
suggestive to Miss Lottie of the lines--
"Oh my love is like a red, red rose
That newly springs in June."
"There now," cried the delighted Melindy, looking in the mirror to
note the effect, "that's just the style that'll take Moses' eye.
Don't I wish he was here to see it."
The indispensable white gloves and white net veil and bright
ribbons, flowers, etc., were now laid aside, and with a strict
injunction "to be sure send 'em right away," Melindy Jane Thrasher
was truly the happiest customer that ever emerged from the
time-honored establishment of Manchester, Robertson & Allison.