CHAPTER XL. THE UNION OF HEARTS.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 151, 24 April 1886, Page 3

CHAPTER XL. THE UNION OF HEARTS.

Miss Waldemak, Rich, and his father returned to Lynnell the third day after their arrival in Now York, and they received a most cordial wolconao from ovory member of tho family. All wore glad to havo the suspense ondod, for they had experienced no sinall amount of curioaity concerning the important and mysterious business which had called Audrey bo suddonly to New York. Her story, when sho related it, croated considerable excitoment and surprise, while Rich was hoartily congratulated upon tho happiness which Margaret Fox's revelation had brought to him, and also upon his future- brilliant prospocts.J "1 have felt from the first that there was good blood in his voins. It has always seemed to mo that ho could not have sprung from any ordinary source," Mrs Campbell remarked, when talking theso things over quietly with Audrey aftorward. "That has been my own feeling, too," returned Miss Waklemar, " but it seems very wonderful to me that Arthur's boy, of all others, should have been committed to my caro." " The wholo affair, from beginning to end, is the most romantic story I ovor hoard of in roal lifo ; and," with an arch glance at Audrey, " I novor saw such a, change in vmy ono as thore has bosn in Mr Ualstoad sinco our first meeting." Audrey blushod. Sho know thore had boen n change in her also. Something of tho beauty and hopo of hor early life had returned to her, as well as to him, and had bhod a very different light upon hor future, thua loaving its impress upon their faces. Arthur Halstoad was no longor tho sad, eelf-ropro&sed man which ho had been for twenty years and more. Tho shadows of disappointment and grief had all boon swept out of his countenance, leaving it gonial and beaming as in the days of his early hopes : while- thoro had come an energy and bouyancy into his manner that had long been foroign to it. Audrey's lassitudo and paleness all lied boforo tho dawn of this new day, and she soomed to grow young with a beauty at vhich hor friends all marvelled. The score or more- of years that had elapsed bince her separation from hor lover had touched hor vory lightly, despito tho sorrow of which sha had been very conscious, and now, afc forty-two, with tho futuro still holding so much of hopo for hor, sho did not seem a day over thirty. "Mamma, I am not suro but that Miss Waklemar will make a lovelier bride than Annie," Graco Campbell remarkod only a day or two beforo tho wedding. It had boen decided that thero should be two weddings instead of ono. Audrey had told Arthur Ilalstoad that sho would become his wife whenever he pleased, and ho was unwilling to wait for tho fulfilment of his happiness a day longer than was necessary ; so it had been arranged that af tor Rich and Annie should have plighted tho vows which would make them ono, Mr Halstead and Miss Waldemar should be married, without any show or ostentation. There was no reason why they should delay ; it would save the labour and excitement of preparing for another wedding. Rich and Annie were to take a trip to tho YVhito Mountains and thence to Saratoga, whore they intended to spond a couple of weeks; so It would be a month before their return. Meanwhile Mr and Mrs Halstead senior would repair directly to New York to await the home-coming of the young couple. The evening of tho 9th arrived, and everything was in roadinoss for the all-important event of the morrow, Miss Starkey was tired, but happy, for all things had moved along as smoothly as anyone could have any right to expect, and tho homestead was in perfect ordor— &wept and garnished from attic to cellar, no pains or expense having been spared to "have things done up in shape." "Audrey, my own," ArthurHalstead said, as he parted from tho beautiful woman, who was to be his wifo on tho morrow, for the last tiino, " I can hardly realise this great happiness, but it almost makes me forget ail those lost years of my lifo." She lifted hor lovoly face to him, and it seemed as if it shone with almost holy beauty. " Do not call them c lost years,' Arthur," she said, " f or I do not bolieve they have been, oven though thoy have held so much pain for both of us. You have faithfully fulfilled tho duties which seemed to be laid upon you in such an unaccountablo way, and no one can do that without having both heart and character ennobled and purified. While surely I cannot feel that tho years were 'lost,' which have brought so much of comfort to rno, in watching and helping to forward tho development of such a boy as Rich has been," "No, indeed; tho influonco of your work no ono can estimate," returned Arthur, almost reverently. " And tho knowledgo," continued Audroy, with a tender smile, " when it carao to me, that Rich was your son — that, though wo had been so strangely separated I had been working lovyou all these years, was my crowning joy— my recompense — es I told you tho other day. Oh, no, they have not been ' lost years,' Arthur ; they have only been a sort of sowing and growing time, and now wo are about to roap a beautiful harvest, and shall, I believe, realise and appreciate our happiness far more than we should have done if we had had everything our own way in thoso old days." " Porhaps you are right, Audrey," Mr Halstoad said gravely, yet tho pain of the past had been so great that he could not look back upon it even now without regret. Sho glanced up at him wistfully. "I have gradually grown to feel sure," sho said, in a low, reverent tone, "that Cod's ways are always best. Somo one has said that life is something like a carpet. Gazing upon tho wrong side of it, it looks very much mixed ; there is apparently no oattorn, or plan, or harmonious blending of colour. But the other side is perfect : and so when we are permitted to gaze upon our lives from the other side, we shall seo and understand just how the pattern has been growing into beauty of design, and according to the plan of One who never makes a mistake. Arthur," she continued, gravely, "I am not going to look backward any more : all the past has been for a purpose, which will be revealed to us by and by, and we have no longer anything to do with it. Our cup has been filled to the brim now -let us keep it full as we go along and not embitter its contents by vain regrets." Arthur Halstead bent and touched her upturned brow with reverent lips, feeling almost as if she stood upon a higher plane than he, but bolieving that if perfect happiness could be attained in this world, he should experience it with Audrey Waldemar as his wife,

The tenth dawned a 'perfect September day. The weddings were to occur at two in the afternoon, in season for the bridal party to have plenty of time to catch the five o'clock express going southward. Mr Hamilton and Mrs Allen, together with a few other friends, had come on from New York the previous day, to do honour to the occasion, while Mr Hamilton had been chosen to perform the ceremonies. Annie Noble made one of the lovelist brides that " e'er the sun shone on." Miss Waldemar and Grace Campbell had planned her dress to suit themselves, after receiving a hint from Miss Starkoy regarding the matter. "I want things done right up to the mark," she had said, when the question of material and make had been under discussion. "Tain't likely that George Washington and I will evor marry off any body again, and I don't want any half-way work about this wedding. We love the child with all our hearts, and she's going to have the best there is, as long as we can give it to her. So you fix her up as pretty as you can, and don't count the cost." But Annio'a wedding-dress was comparatively simple after all, for they decided that delicate white tulle ovor white silk would be the most effective for her style of beauty and the result proved that they were right, for when sho stood arrayed in it, on her bridal day, she was s;mply perfect from the crown of her golden head to the tip of her white satin boots. Tho dress was mado en train-, and the masses of fleecy tulle floating out behind her seemed like a cloud of frost-work ; while her really elogant veil added character and richnoss to tho wholo. Her corsage was made high at the throat, whilo hor only ornaments were a simple cluster of real orange blossoms fastening her veil, and anothor upon her breast. But her beautiful hair shone like purest gold through tho mist-like voil, and her eyes vied with hcavon's own blue. Tho most delicate bloom was on hor cheok, and hor lips wero liko a thread of coral. Evoryone forgot her dress when they looked into that lovely girlish faco with tender love shining through it, and the pcrfoct happiness resting upon it. Thero were gifts of every description, howovor, which told that all this simplicity was from choice and not from lack of ornamonta. Almost evoiy thing in tho way of silver and jowels had been showered upon tho gentle girl, whom all had grown to love, and there wero two or three tables loaded with testimonials of friendship and goodwill. Miss Waldomar, the other bride, was olegant in a delicate mauvc-colourcd satin, trimmed with point lace ; a set of diamonds fit for a queen, and which emitted flashes of light with her every motion. In her hands fcho carried a small bouquet of feathery clcmatip, and, with that subdued glory of happiness on her faco, really made as lovely, if not a lovelier bride than sweet Annie Noblo, as Grace Campbell had predicted. Grace herself also demands a word of notice, for sho had never looked so handsome although her dress of heavy, cream-coloured silk was mado porfoctly plain ; her only ornament a mass of cardinal flowers in her belt. Mr Hamilton's eyes followed her every movement, There was something about her which seemed to inspire him with a feeling almost of reverence. "She is more than beautiful; if ever a face could take on the loveliness of a purified soul, hers has dono so during this la«t voar," ho said to himself, as he watched her, so forgetful of self, so thoroughly in sympathy witli the happiness of her friends. She was surprised at herself, for thoro was not a thrill of her old passion for Rich left to cause her a pang on this, his wedding-day. It had beon but a dolusion, and her untutoredhcart had rebelled like achild, simply becauso it could not havo what it had craved. Still her suffering, for the time, had been deep and real,and had thus served to purify and ennoblo hor nature. "I can seo now that it would not have been best," she thought, as she looked upon the young couplo while thoy plighted their vows. (< Annie will make him a devoted wife, and maka his home the dearest spot on earth ; but" — andawistfullookcameintoher brilliant eyes. — " I believe I have grown to crave something move than the simple routino of a quiot home life. I think I am capable of performing all necessary duties of roaching out after others— of bringing happiness to other hearts and homes also." The words wore spoken which made Annio Noble and Richmond Waldemar Halstead husband and wife ; and then his fathor led Audrey quietly forward to their side, where a few simply spoken sentences united the hearts Avhich for long years had been so true to oach other. Then there followed the usual congratulations and good wishes, after which there caiwo tho wedding feast, which, prepared under the supervision of Miss Starkey, would have dono honour to a New York caterer himself. Just before tho newly-wedded couples were to start upon their trip, " Uncle Goorge " drow Annie and her husband aside and put a folded paper into the young bride's hands. "This fine-looking, high-headed chap of yours," he began with a sly wink at Rich, "would make me do it; so I guess I've fixed it all squaro, and tho wholo thing is yours to do wbab you'vo a mind to with." "Well, but what is it, Uncle George?" Annio asked, as sho unfolded the legal-look-ing document, and was appalled at its length and technicalities. " It's nothing but a deed of that houeo in Now York j and I only hope you'll onjoy living in it as much as I've onjoyed helping fix it up for you," returned Mr Starkey, regarding the fair little wife with a fond expression. 11 How good you and Aunt Martha have been to me," Annie said, tears springing to her eyes, while sho slipped her small white hand affectionately over his arms. "Well, I guess wp've taken about aa much comfort out of it as anybody, and," nudging Rich, "1 reckon you don't feel sorry now that we fixed that place up shipshape, do you ?" "No, indeed, Mr Starkey, although at the time I feared, you were proposing a more extravagant style than I could afford to support," Rich replied heartily ; and it may be stated here that he too had received documents that morning from his father, investing him with his mother's fortuno to the amount of soventy-five thousand dollars. After this there came the farowells, and Rich and his bride departod on their tour, accompanied by Arthur Halstead and his wifo as far as Bangor, where they separated ; tho young couple to go to tho White Mountains, while the latter returned directly to New York, * # * * -X -X * Three months later found our friends all back and nicely settled in New York, Annie and Rich in their boautiful home, which had been handsomely and elegantly furnished while they were away ; even to the little 'glass house,' which had been filled with the choicest flowers which Uncle George could find in the city. He and Miss Starkoy had come to spend the winter with thoir nioce, acd seomod to enjoy tho prospect of another season of city excitement and privileges, mingled with suburban quiet.

As soon as they went back Mr Starkey had consulted with Mr Mason, and beforo Rich returned a fine stable was in process of completion; Mr Remington himsolc] having planned the structure in order that it might correspond with the house. Ami now there were a span of fine horses housed within it, and in the carriage-house adjoining a handsome coupe", the gift of Mr Hal stead senior. Thatgentlernanandhiswifewer Dccupying handsome apartments on Fifth Avenue, no! far from the Campbells, preferring to board for the winter, as they were contemplating a trip abroad the following summer. Meantime Mrs Campbell was herself absorbed in the excitement of wedding preparations ; for Roger Hamilton had persuaded Grace that she alone could make him happy for life ; and she, feeling that no greater honour or joy could bo hers than to be the wife of such a man, and that as such the broader field of action which she craved would be opened to her, had not demurred when an eorly day was named for their marriage. One morning,- about Christmas time, Miss Starkey came into Annie's private fittingroom and handed her a paper. •' I'd like to havo you read that as carofully as you've a mind to, and then tell me what you think of it," she said, briefly : then, drawing out her knitting, sat down to wait until she had complied with hor request. The document proved to bo Miss Starkey's last will and testament, in which she bequeathed tho bulk of her property to her "beloved nieco, Annio Halstead," and a legacy of ten thousand dollars to Grace Campbell, "to be used as her heart and judgment should dictate." Annie was deeply moved upon reading this, and sat quietly wiping tho tears from her cheeks, unable to speak for some moments. " It's well to bo prepared for emergencies, though I intend to hold on to life just as long as the good Lord'll lot mo stay," remarked Miss Starkey, as Annio refolded the paper, "and so I thought I'd tend to this -natter while I felt pretty well. Of courso, if it do8cn't suit you, child, it can be changed ; and I know, too, that Grace'll have enough of her own by and by ; but I thought 'twould sortof show my appreciation of her kindness to me last year, if I gave her a little of something to use especially on her errands of mercy." "I think it is lovely of you, Aunt Martha," Annie reaponded heartily, " and I know she will think so, too. How beautiful it must be to have such a long life as you' have had, and to do so much goodas you have done !" " Well, I've only been the Lord's steward ; I don't supposo I've done as well as I might ; but I have tried to do some good for Him in the world. There tvas a time," continued the woman, a shadow falling over her face, " when I felt as if I was rather badly used ; but," with a fond glance at Annie, " He's making it up to me now." Annie went over to her and laid the paper in her lap, bending to kiss her affectionately as she did ao, " You don't begrudge that ten thousand, then ?" Miss Starkey said, bestowing a searching glance upon tho sweet, flushed face. " No, indeed, auntio, and should not if it was double the amount." " Urn — I thought you wouldn't ; but concluded I'd bettor bo sure about it, rather than to have any feeling about it after I'm gone ; besides, I imagine George Washington is going to do the handsome thing by you, and there won't bo any danger of your ever coming to want ; while we both feel sure you'll do your share for the Lord's poor out of it." " When ho comos to make up his jewels, what a precious ono you will be, Aunt Martha," murmured Annie sottly. "Humph !" rather a rough kind of jowel, I reckon. If you'd said that to Miss Waldemar— no Mrs Halstead— it would have sounded all right ; but, with a wistful look in her mild grey eyes, "perhaps the Lord'll polish me JofT a trifle, and I shan't seem quite so outlandish there as I've been horo all my life ; anyhow, I can leave it with Him " ■X * * TV tt- * » And thus wo leavo our friends, happy after their morning of gloom and clouds, in an afternoon and ovoning of calm content and beauty. _ Audrey Waldemar belieYod she had already received her recompense for her oarly trials ; but by and by, in the eternal future, when, "on the other side," she is able, to seo and realise how the influenco of her patient waiting, of sorrows meekly borne, of duties well performed, and of the life which she had guided into such nobility and honour, was to widen, and touch, and elevate the life and character of others, think you sho will not feel that she had not reaped a titho— though at presontit soomed so rich a harvest— of what was waiting and accumulating for hor in tho beautiful beyond? [the end.]