Beadle's Dime Novels No. 126: Old Jupe — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A BURPRISE. 17 it. It seems that Nettie had met him twice or thrice at bulls, and when told that he was to be a guest at the wedding, she immediately declared that she liked Mr. Parcell immensely and was going to have him for “best man.” Luke objected to this, as there was more than one friend of his own to whom he would have given the preference ; but Nettie was obstinate ; and as she had been so good and gentle of late, the young couple did not like to arouse her temper; so she had her own way, and Parcell stood as groomsman. This, ag we have said, was the only cloud upon the heaven of their happiness; after the wedding they went east on a brief journey, and returning to St. Louis were pained and astonished beyond words, to meet another couple on their bridal-tour—that couple Annette and Mr. Parcell. They were stopping at the best hotel ; he wore a diamond ring, and gave her money to buy expensive clothes. “T told you,” she said, with a strange smile in her black eyes, “that I would not long remain behind you, Mary. Why don’t you congratulate us? I think you very impolite.” ‘“‘ Give us time,” said Luke, making an effort to hide his chagrin; “we are taken by surprise, you see.” “T don’t doubt it,” she answered, with an unpleasant laugh. “You'd better spend the winter at home, Molly; father and mother will be so lonely. Good-by, my dears; we are bownd for New Orleans, and shall not be back until next spring.” ‘Mr. Parcell was very courteous; he said “how do you do,” and “ good-by,” as if he was a brother indeed; the two couples parted, and met no more fora length of time. Ex- cept a brief note twice during the winter, her relatives heard nothing from Annette. Luke Bryant and his happy wife spent a few weeks in St. Louis; then, as Mary had to be left alone when he was on the river, they concluded to gratify both her wish and that of her parents, by making it their home with them for the Winter. Navigation closed early that season, a sudden terni of bitter cold weather freezing up the streams just before Christmas, so that Luke had the holidays to spend with his bride. Bright days were those! Life appeared one long promise of bliss to the young couple—sleigh-rides, suppers, dances, visits, with cozy, quiet evenings at home, made .more comillcbooks.com