Chapter XXXIX: A Good Omen

The six months were past.

Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.

On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.

A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME! And garlands and festoons hung suspended through every room and hall, as if clad in holiday attire, in honor of loved and long expected guests.

The great drawing-room on the left of the grand old hall is redolent with the richest perfume, and within it, pacing up and down its spacious length, clad in her rich and trailing robes, is the fair mistress of all this grandeur and magnificence—lovely Enid Chichester.

Hope and joy beam in her eyes, a flush is upon her soft cheek, which creeps higher and higher with every passing moment, while smiles part her ruby lips, showing the gleaming pearls between.

Suddenly she starts; a happy, expectant look is upon her face, as she bends eagerly forward in a listening attitude.

Yes, she is not deceived; the sound of approaching wheels, grating upon the graveled drive-way, comes in through the open hall, and with a joyous cry she bounds out to receive her friends.

Three heavy traveling carriages drew up before the hospitable door, their glowing occupants alighted and immediately all was gay confusion; handshaking until the bones ached, kissing and congratulations.

At last all was over and settled in his or her respective apartments, and the next two or three days were given up to resting, after their long and tedious journey.

Enid did the honors as mistress, as she did everything else, gracefully, and dispensed her hospitality with a lavish hand, her heart overflowing with excess of joy in the happiness she was contributing and receiving.

One morning, soon after the arrival, she arose early, and descending the grand old stairway, went, softly humming to herself, into the library, where she intended to have a quiet hour all her own, before her guests should come down to breakfast.

The morning sun streamed brightly in through the low, open window, which led out upon a balcony overlooking the park. With a sigh of pleasure Enid seated herself in an inviting arm-chair, and lay back among its cushions, with a smile of happiness upon her sweet lips, wholly forgetful of the book she held in her hand, and which she had intended reading, and wholly unconscious that a pair of fine dark eyes were tenderly regarding her from behind the heavy curtains which draped the balcony window.

Neither did she hear a step upon the soft carpet, or realize the presence of any one, until a fragrant waxen capejasmine was suddenly dropped from above into her lap.

She started then, and looked quickly up, but flushed the deepest crimson, as she met the earnest gaze of Ralph Ellerton, who was bending over the back of her chair.

“Why, good-morning, Mr. Ellerton,” she said, striving to cover her confusion by speaking lightly. “How you surprised me. I thought I was the only one stirring so early this morning.”

“Pardon me for startling you, but I have been up since sunrise,

‘Over the hills and far away.’

I have but just come in, and stepped out upon the balcony to enjoy the glorious view.”

“It is fine, isn’t it? Poor papa used to enjoy it so much,” she replied, sadly, the tears springing to her eyes; then added, “This was always his favorite resort, and he would sit for hours upon the balcony and gaze upon the scenery around.”

She picked up the flower he had thrown into her lap, inhaled its fragrance, and then fastened it upon her bosom.

He smiled slightly at the act, and she, suddenly looking up, caught his eye fixed upon her, and again the rich blood suffused her face, but she did not remove the flower.

“Enid,” said Ralph, tenderly, “may I interpret that as a good omen? May I tell you of my love after waiting so long?”

“There is no need to tell it, Ralph; I knew it long ago,” she replied, in tones as tender, and with an irresistible frankness.

“Darling, your tones tell me if your words do not, that you return it, unworthy as I am,” he said, as he passionately clasped her in his arms.

“Yes, Ralph, I do; I loved you before I left that horrid cavern, and it almost broke my heart when I thought you the husband of another. But even after I found you were free again, I would not encourage you to speak the words which I knew were on your lips, for I wished to try you first, to prove the good I felt there was in you.”

“Bless you for your frankness; but you will perhaps be surprised when I tell you that my heart forgot its allegiance to that other the moment I first beheld you.”

“Then why did you persist?” hastily interrupted Enid, raising her radiant face in surprise, then blushing scarlet again as she remembered it must wound him to be thus reminded of the past.

“It is all right, darling,” he returned, noticing her confusion, and clasping her again to him. “I wish you to know me just as I am. I persisted in the evil I had begun, merely because my will and my pride would not yield to my heart. But I cannot express the gratitude I feel for the gift of your precious love. I know——”

“Now, Ralph, you are not to talk that way any more. You have done wrong, and you own it and repent of it. It is enough. None are perfect, and I have my faults, as you will find out one of these days. I love you just as you are now, not what you may have been a long time ago, so please don’t disparage my lover to me any more,” and the bright-eyed little maiden held up two pouting lips.

She received what she wished, and then Ralph asked, tenderly:

“And you will be my wife, Enid?”

“Yes, Ralph.”

“When, darling?”

“Whenever you wish.”

“God bless you, my precious one; let it be soon, then, for I need you much, and I think you know it.”

They conversed some time longer, and when the breakfast bell sounded, and their friends descended, the day was decided upon.

Ralph led his promised bride directly to his father and mother, and proclaimed the good news; and then breakfast had to be delayed, much to the annoyance of the worthy housekeeper, half an hour, for the joyful congratulations of all that happy company.

After breakfast was over, Enid, with a very mysterious air drew Dora and Vivien away to impart a very important bit of information, as she called it, to them, namely:

That she was to be married in three weeks.

“I know,” she said, as both the girls held up their hands in dismay at the limited time, “that it usually takes six months, at least, to complete the trousseau of a fashionable young lady; but I think I can do better than that; and then, poor Ralph is so sad and lonely, I am going to humor him in this. You both must be my bridesmaids; and Vivien, would you be willing to stand up with Mr. Weimher? I don’t think he would object to you,” said the sparkling girl, mischievously.

Vivien blushed and stammered, and then broke down entirely. At last she saw it was no use to try and hide it longer, and made a clean breast of it, confessing that she was engaged to that same gentleman.

“Ah! you rogue, I mistrusted you long ago,” said Dora. “You little goose, why did you try to keep it so still?”

“Because I wished the consent and congratulations of my uncles, first. Mr. Weimher spoke to them yesterday, and we were to acknowledge the engagement to-day. But you see how you have robbed me of my secret, you heartless girls!”

She laughed gayly, though the tell-tale color still remained upon her fair face.

Just then there was a rap upon the door, and a maid entered saying that Miss Dupont and Miss Moulton were requested to step into the library for a few moments.

The two girls twined their arms about each other’s waists and wonderingly obeyed the summons. In the room designated they found their lovers, who, likewise having been informed of the approaching nuptials of their hostess, now importuned their own fair brides-elect to consent to don the matrimonial bonds upon the same day, and thus make a triple wedding of the affair. Both demurred at first, but finally the ardent gentlemen overcame all obstacles, and, consenting, they immediately vanished to communicate the news to their fair hostess.

Enid was in raptures, declaring that theirs should be a wedding, such as was never heard of before in the annals of Chichester history.

Then ensued three weeks of such bustle and confusion as made worthy Mrs. Judson, the housekeeper, nearly distracted, and the servants were kept flying hither and thither from early morn till dewy eve.

* * * * *

The bridal morn broke calm, clear, and beautiful. The hour appointed for the ceremony arrived, and the three beautiful girls, clad in their white gleaming robes, with no ornaments save nature’s sweetness—pure and fragrant orange blossoms—were ready to confide themselves for life into the keeping of their hearts’ chosen ones.

Three chariots, each drawn by a noble pair of milk-white steeds, bore them from the Chichester mansion to the distant cathedral, where the bishop waited to speak the irrevocable words, and where anxious friends were waiting to witness the brilliant wedding.

Ralph and Enid led the way up the broad aisle to the foot of the sacred altar, and the words were spoken which bound them to each other for life.

Then Fredrich and Vivien pledged their vows, and likewise received the benediction of the holy man.

Last, but not least, Robert and Dora joined their hands and re-pronounced the vows uttered in childhood, and which had been so faithfully and fondly kept through sorrows and trials, and in defiance of all disappointments and opposition.

Never had the lovely girl looked more beautiful, nor her lover more strikingly noble and handsome, than at that moment when, in solemn, earnest tones, they repeated the marriage service that gave them anew to each other.

Faithful hearts they truly were, and faithful we know they will ever remain; and there in their happiness and love we will leave them, bidding them a long farewell, trusting that the lives of each and all may be a succession of blessings, so bright that they will never fade until the greater brightness and glory of heaven and eternity shall burst upon them, enveloping them in endless bliss.

[THE END.]

“A GODDESS IN EXILE; OR, THE SPANISH PLOTTERS,” by PHILIP S. WARNE, will be published in the next number (81) of THE SELECT SERIES.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

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=No. 1—Another Man’s Wife=, by Bertha M. Clay 50 =No. 2—The Belle of the Season=, by Mrs. Harriet Lewis 50 =No. 3—Doctor Jack=, by St. George Rathborne 50 =No. 4—Kathleen Douglas=, by Julia Truitt Bishop 50 =No. 5—Her Royal Lover=, by Ary Ecilaw 50 =No. 6—Jose=, by Otto Ruppius 50 =No. 7—His Word of Honor=, by E. Werner 50 =No. 8—A Parisian Romance=, by A. D. Hall 50 =No. 9—A Woman’s Temptation=, by Bertha M. Clay 50 =No. 10—Stella Rosevelt=, by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon 50 =No. 11—Beyond Pardon=, by Bertha M. Clay 50 =No. 12—Lost A Pearle=, by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon 50 =No. 13—The Partners=, by Alphonse Daudet 50 =No. 14—Sardou’s Cleopatra=, by A. D. Hall 50 =No. 15—The Lone Ranch=, by Capt. Mayne Reid 50 =No. 16—Put Asunder=, by Bertha M. Clay 50

=THE PRIMROSE SERIES= combines the highest art of bookmaking with the best fiction that can be obtained. For sale by all Booksellers and Newsdealers; or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price, by

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POPULAR AMERICAN COPYRIGHT STORIES.

No. 81—A GODDESS IN EXILE, by Philip S. Warne 25 No. 80—THRICE WEDDED, BUT ONLY ONCE A WIFE, by Mrs. Sheldon 25 No. 79—THE GAY CAPTAIN, by Mrs. M. V. Victor 25 No. 78—VASHTI’S FATE; or, PURIFIED BY FIRE, by Helen Corwin Pierce 25 No. 77—THE THREE BLOWS, by Karl Drury 25 No. 76—A PROUD DISHONOR, by Genie Holtzmeyer 25 No. 75—THE WIDOWED BRIDE, by Lucy Randall Comfort 25 No. 74—THE GRINDER PAPERS, by Mary Kyle Dallas 25 No. 73—BORN TO COMMAND, by Hero Strong 25 No. 72—A MODERN MIRACLE, by James Franklin Fitts 25 No. 71—THE SWEET SISTERS OF INCHVARRA, by Annie Ashmore 25 No. 70—HIS OTHER WIFE, by Rose Ashleigh 25 No. 69—A SILVER BRAND, by Charles T. Manners 25 No. 68—ROSLYN’S TRUST, by Lucy C. Lillie 25 No. 67—WILLFUL WINNIE, by Harriet Sherburne 25 No. 66—ADAM KENT’S CHOICE, by Humphrey Elliott 25 No. 65—LAURA BRAYTON, by Julia Edwards 25 No. 64—YOUNG MRS. CHARNLEIGH, by T. W. Hanshew 25 No. 63—BORN TO BETRAY, by Mrs. M. V. Victor 25 No. 62—A STRANGE PILGRIMAGE, by Mrs. J. H. Walworth 25 No. 61—THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE, by Hon. Evelyn Ashby 25 No. 60—WON ON THE HOMESTRETCH, by Mrs. M. C. Williams 25 No. 59—WHOSE WIFE IS SHE? by Annie Lisle 25 No. 58—KILDHURM’S OAK, by Julian Hawthorne 25 No. 57—STEPPING-STONES, by Marion Harland 25 No. 56—THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT, by Mary A. Denison 25 No. 55—ROXY HASTINGS, by P. Hamilton Myers 25 No. 54—THE FACE OF ROSENFEL, by C. H. Montague 25 No. 53—THAT GIRL OF JOHNSON’S, by Jean Kate Ludlum 25 No. 52—TRUE TO HERSELF, by Mrs. J. H. Walworth 25 No. 51—A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN’S SIN, by Hero Strong 25 No. 50—MARRIED IN MASK, by Mansfield Tracy Walworth 25 No. 49—GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY, by Mrs. M. V. Victor 25 No. 48—THE MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE, by A. M. Douglas 25 No. 47—SADIA THE ROSEBUD, by Julia Edwards 25 No. 46—A MOMENT OF MADNESS, by Charles J. Bellamy 25 No. 45—WEAKER THAN A WOMAN, by Charlotte M. Brame 25 No. 44—A TRUE ARISTOCRAT, by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon 25 No. 43—TRIXY, by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon 25 No. 42—A DEBT OF VENGEANCE, by Mrs. E. Burke Collins 25 No. 41—BEAUTIFUL RIENZI, by Annie Ashmore 25 No. 40—AT A GIRL’S MERCY, by Jean Kate Ludlum 25 No. 39—MARJORIE DEANE, by Bertha M. Clay 25 No. 38—BEAUTIFUL, BUT POOR, by Julia Edwards 25 No. 37—IN LOVE’S CRUCIBLE, by Bertha M. Clay 25 No. 36—THE GIPSY’S DAUGHTER, by Bertha M. Clay 25 No. 35—CECILE’S MARRIAGE, by Lucy Randall Comfort 25

These popular books are large type editions, well printed, well bound, and in handsome covers. For sale by all Booksellers and Newsdealers; or sent, _postage free_, on receipt of price, 25 cents each, by the publishers,

STREET & SMITH.
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THE COUNTY FAIR.

By NEIL BURGESS.

Written from the celebrated play now running its second continuous season in New York, and booked to run a third season in the same theater.

The scenes are among the New Hampshire hills, and picture the bright side of country life. The story is full of amusing events and happy incidents, something after the style of our “Old Homestead,” which is having such an enormous sale.

“=THE COUNTY FAIR=” will be one of the great hits of the season, and should you fail to secure a copy you will miss a literary treat. It is a spirited romance of town and country, and a faithful reproduction of the drama, with the same unique characters, the same graphic scenes, but with the narrative more artistically rounded, and completed than was possible in the brief limits of a dramatic representation. This touching story effectively demonstrates that it is possible to produce a novel which is at once wholesome and interesting in every part, without the introduction of an impure thought or suggestion. Read the following

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS:

Mr. Neil Burgess has rewritten his play, “The County Fair,” in story
form. It rounds out a narrative which is comparatively but sketched in
the play. It only needs the first sentence to set going the memory and
imagination of those who have seen the latter and whet the appetite
for the rest of this lively conception of a live dramatist.—_Brooklyn
Daily Eagle._

As “The County Fair” threatens to remain in New York for a long time
the general public out of town may be glad to learn that the
playwright has put the piece into print in the form of a story. A tale
based upon a play may sometimes lack certain literary qualities, but
it never is the sort of thing over which any one can fall asleep.
Fortunately, “The County Fair” on the stage and in print is by the
same author, so there can be no reason for fearing that the book
misses any of the points of the drama which has been so successful—_N.
Y. Herald._

The idea of turning successful plays into novels seems to be getting
popular. The latest book of this description is a story reproducing
the action and incidents of Neil Burgess’ play, “The County Fair.” The
tale, which is a romance based on scenes of home life and domestic
joys and sorrows, follows closely the lines of the drama in story and
plot.—_Chicago Daily News._

Mr. Burgess’ amusing play, “The County Fair,” has been received with
such favor that he has worked it over and expanded it into a novel of
more than 200 pages. It will be enjoyed even by those who have never
heard the play and still more by those who have.—_Cincinnati
Times-Star._

This touching story effectively demonstrates that it is possible to
produce a novel which is at once wholesome and interesting in every
part, without the introduction of an impure thought or
suggestion.—_Albany Press._

Street & Smith have issued “The County Fair.” This is a faithful
reproduction of the drama of that name and is an affecting and vivid
story of domestic life, joy and sorrow, and rural scenes.—_San
Francisco Call._

This romance is written from the play of this name and is full of
touching incidents.—_Evansville Journal._

It is founded on the popular play of the same name, in which Neil
Burgess, who is also the author of the story, has achieved the
dramatic success of the season.—_Fall River Herald._

=The County Fair= is No. 33 of “The Select Series,” for sale by all Newsdealers, or will be sent, on receipt of price, 25 cents, to any address, postpaid, by =STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 25–31 Rose st., New York.=

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

1. Moved advertisements from the front of the book to after the ad section at the end. 2. Silently corrected obvious typographical errors and variations in spelling. 3. Retained archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed. 4. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.