Beadle's Dime Novels No. 35: East and West — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

80 THE BEAUTY OF WILLARD’S MILL. picture, as Charles Lord. Poor Nat! he knew his deficien- cies, and took care not to display them. He looked well, and danced well, and was useful in waiting upon the guests; and thus he fulfilled his part. Minnie was nearly as wild with admiration for the bride as the groom himself. And truly she justified some extravagance of praise, by a beauty which asserted itself just as proudly in spotless muslin robes, as it would have done in satin and diamonds. Minnie, similarly attired, officiated as bride-maid; offering a lovely contrast to her cousin :—and so Charles Lord whispered her, as he led her to her place beside the bride. The solemn “ Whom God hath joined together, let not man put asunder,” was followed by a buzz of admiration ; and then by a soft clamor of congratulations, in which Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stewart were wished all imaginary blessings. Then followed the band—the same which had serenaded Minnie, the recollection of which made Constance smile—play- ing a march to the wedding-supper. From the destruction which thereupon followed to many good and beautiful things, it would appear that people who go to wedding-balls, have good appetites. The bride and the bride-maid were toasted over and over again; and then the dancing began. As Minnie and Charles Lord had been practicing together for a day or two, she did not shrink from her conspicuous duties as much as she feared she should. No other dances than cotillions, and a simple polka were attempted—in which she acquitted herself with grace and ease ; and her delight at the music, though she concealed it, was as intoxicating as ever. A refreshment-table being all the time kept spread, the dancing and the demolishment of good things were kept up until the small hours of morning; when the neighbors dis- persed with three cheers for the bride, and threg times three for their entertainers—and the family and guests were per- mitted to retire for a brief repose. The suit of Harry Stewart, after the fire escape, as might be supposed, was not very difficult of prosecution. When Con- stance forgave him, she did so fully, and with no “ mental reservations ;” and he, not wishing to rum any more risks, comiliclooks.com