[Homestead on the Hillside by Mary Jane Holmes]@TWC D-Link bookHomestead on the Hillside CHAPTER IX 3/3
On her way home she three times heard of the wedding, and of Ada's real name and former position in life, and each time her wrath waxed warmer and warmer.
Fortunate was it for Berintha and grandma that neither made her appearance until tea-time, for Lucy was in just the state when an explosive storm would surely have followed any remark addressed to her! The next day was the Sabbath, and as Lucy entered the church, the first object which met her eye was St.Leon, seated in the sewing woman's pew, and Ada _tolerably_ though not _very_ near him! "How disgusting!" she hissed between her teeth, as she entered her own richly-cushioned seat, and opened her velvet-bound prayer book. Precious little of the sermon heard she that day, for, turn which way she would, she still saw in fancy the sweet young face of her rival; and it took but a slight stretch of imagination to bring to view a costly house in the far-off "Sunny South," a troop of servants, a handsome, noble husband, and the hated Ada the happy mistress of them all! Before church was out Lucy was really sick, and when at home in her room she did not refuse the bowl of herb tea which Berintha kindly brought her, saying "it had cured her when she felt just so." The morning of the wedding came, and though Lucy had determined not to be present, yet as the hour approached she felt how utterly impossible it would be for her to stay away; and when at half-past eight the doors were opened she was among the first who entered the church, which in a short time was filled.
Nine rang from the old clock in the belfry, and then up the broad aisle came the bridal party, consisting of Mr.and Mrs.Graham, Charlie and Anna, Mrs.Harcourt, or Mrs. Linwood as we must now call her, St.Leon and Ada. "Was there ever a more beautiful bride ?" whispered Bessie Lee; but Lucy made no answer, and as soon as the ceremony was concluded she hurried home, feeling almost in need of some more catnip tea! In the eleven o'clock train St.Leon with his bride and her mother started for New Haven, where they spent a delightful week, and then returned to S----.
A few days were passed at the house of Mr.Graham, and then they departed for their southern home.
As we shall not again have occasion to speak of them in this story we will here say that the following summer they came North, together with Jenny and Cousin Frank, the latter of whom was so much pleased with the rosy cheeks, laughing eyes, and playful manners of Bessie Lee that when he returned home he coaxed her to accompany him; and again was there a wedding in St.Luke's, and again did Miss Carson make the bridal outfit, wishing that all New Orleans gentlemen would come to S---- for their wives..
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