The Masked Bridal

were not to go to Wyoming for a week or so, and meantime, Mrs. Goddard devoutly hoped that the weather would c

ere storm, which lasted as many more, and when at length the sun shone again there lay on the ground more than a foot

and Edith, well wrapped in furs and robes, were driven over the well-trodden roa

l they found the Goddards' beautiful country residence i

ful in form or feature. Mrs. Goddard voted her as "a perfect fright," with her eyes concealed behind large, dark-blue glasses. She had been employed through the agent of an intelligence office, and had come highly recomme

thin hearing of her master and mistress, she heard him entreating her to give him possession of a certain document. This Mrs. Goddard

d did not wait to hear more

nd the latter cheerfully assisted her in many ways. Various amusements were planned for the guests. The weather was cold, but fine;

ertainment of the guests. On the afternoon of the day set for the presentation of the little dram

and, upon presenting herself at the door of her boudo

she led the way into the chamber beyond, "I w

to help you," the young girl re

worn this evening, and must be handled

box, and, lifting the cover, revealed some artic

nded madam, indicati

ings, a beautiful skirt of white satin, richly trim

girl, as shaking it carefully out, s

age, which was also a marvel

when the costume, thus complete,

ess," Edith observed, as sh

ht," said madam. "This must be the veil, I think," she concluded,

r before her there lay a great mass of finest tulle, made up into a br

a pair of white satin boots, embroidered wit

Edith, as she laid them all out beside the dress, and

l eyes, in fact-so she would need to be as complete and perfect as possible," Mrs

e caressingly straightened out a spray of orange

eamed strangely

she answered, "whom, by the way, I called Edith, because

art, she exclaimed, as she lifted something from the box

ged with a fringe of frosted silver, while a tiny

he mask," said

repeated Edi

with a peculiar little laugh; "but although it is a profound secret to everybody outside the actors, I

es

irl, and Henri Bernard is a Frenchman. They have a couple of friends whose wedding is set for a certain date, and who plan to help them outwit the parents of Edith and Henri. The scene is, of course, laid in Paris, where ever

ge!" Edith

re supposed to be present, and, at the appointed hour, the bridal party-consisting of the ushers and four bridesmaids, a maid-of-honor, and the bride, leaning upon her father's arm, proceed slowly to the altar, where they are met by the groom, best man, and clergyman. Then comes the ceremony, which seems just as real as if it were a bona-fide marriage, you know; and when the young couple turn to l

le who planned all this for t

come in at a rear door just in season to follow the bridal

a very peculiar conception,

osen are all very good. But now I must run down to see that everything is all right for the evening, before I dress. By the way," she added, as if the thought

ern one, but it was nice i

must run. You can ring for some one to take away this rubbish," she concluded, glanci

ter which she went up to her own chamber to ascertain if the dress, of w

at the wedding of one of her friends nearly two years previous. She had nice skirts, and a pair of pretty white slipp

evening, and then went down to her dinner, which she always

er attire-in a handsome black silk, with folds of soft, creamy lace across her ample breast,

as she entered the room. "What a lovely piece of sil

e would be quite good looking if it were not fo

le smile lurking about her mouth. "Of course, I had t

aid the young girl, as she leaned forward, trying to lo

her color deepening a trifle under the sallow tinge upon h

ave such l

ded Mrs. Weld, regarding

she continued, playfully, as she deftly captured the obnoxious spectacles, and the

, in a nervous tone, as she tried to get possession of

ed her, and clasped them

ful, and no one would ever believe there was anything the matter with them. Oh! I love such

orward and kissed the woman on the forehead, just

trangely agitated by thi

s, and her lips quivered

ed the beautiful girl in a fond emb

arling-every inch of you,"

es, Mrs. Weld! But, I am sure, I am very happy to know that t

been so kind and helpful to me in many ways since we have been here. I suppose the affair to-night will wind up the frolic here," she

ar to-night!" Edith involuntarily inter

one," returned the housekeeper, with a strange smile. "I do not want you to forget me, either," she went on, drawing a little

box into Edith's ha

less cotton, there lay a gold chain of very delicate workmanship, and suspended from it, by the stem, as fresh and green, apparently, as i

Edith, flushing with pleasure; "but-but-i

to imply that I have impoverished myself to purchase it for you, do not fear; for it was a little ornam

the more for that very reason. Now, pray pardon me," she added, flushing, as she returned the glasses s

restored them to their place. "Come, now, we must have our dinner, or

y to attend to her numerous duties, while Edith we

lieve she is what she appears at all. She has come into this house for some my