They did not know yet that the father was going to fetch a wife with him, as that part was kept a secret, yet all the people about knew that Paul was coming home with a wife and that he had found his father, who they all supposed dead.
All was made ready at the farm house for the wedding. Just as the sun was going down New Year’s evening the two couples came. Many kind greetings, were exchanged between the parties, and Paul’s father was kindly received by all.
Soon the minister came, and Paul and Nettie were made one, and the minister was closing the book when Paul, senior, said, “One more couple is waiting to be united.”
All eyes were turned to see who they could be, when he went to Mrs. Spaulding and extending his arm they went before the minister and were united. Only one person there had an idea who the second couple could be, and that was John Hilton. He recognized Paul Burton, senior, but did not mention it, as he did not wish his sister to know his thoughts. Happy were all the friends on that New Year’s day.
The next morning the newly married couples went over to their home, where Paul Burton, junior, called his servants together and told them they had a new mistress, and he wished them to obey her and also his father’s wife. They all seemed delighted.
Paul, senior, stayed until spring, then he took his wife over to England to live there on the estate left him by his father.
Some ten years later we enter the home of Paul Burton, Jr. Two little curly-headed boys are playing on the floor, and the mother, a frail, sickly little being, was sitting in the arm chair where Paul’s mother used to sit. Traces of tears were on her pale cheeks, when a familiar voice said, “Cousin Nettie, why have you been weeping?”
“Oh, Warren, I suppose our house is to be sold if we can not raise the balance of the mortgage. The mortgagee is a cold stern man, and will not give Paul one day’s time on it, or part of it even. There is only five hundred back. I don’t see how we can get it in five days. Oh, if I could only sell my manuscripts and raise that amount, what a happy surprise I could give my noble husband,” said Nettie, lowering her head on her hands and weeping violently.
“Nettie, let me see the manuscripts and perhaps I can dispose of them for you,” said her cousin.