St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-10-21

to see the geese and ducks at their
aquatic exercises, all with an air of
such utter lstlessness. that Mrs. Rand
was very much troubled. At length,
she had to return to the house, to at
tend to some preparations for the other
guest, whom she was now hourly eX-
pecting. 3d..
Ella, glad to be alone, sauntercd
here and there at will, caring for moth.
ing, and then turned to the house, de-
votedly hoping that something had
occurred to prevent the exemplary
Mr.. Harrsons arrival. But, as she
entered the wide hall she heard her
aunts CHEEKY voice in the parlor, and
that lady at the same instant appeared:
"Come, my dear said she, taking
the young girls hand, and leading her
to the parlor, 81 was just going in
search Of you-hcy-day, what's all
this p
For, without waiting to be present
ed, Mr.. Harrison rushed to meet Ella,
and she, with little scream of de-
light, nestled very costly in his arms.
The old lady peered sharply through
her spectaclcs at the pair, who, for the
moment, were too much absorbed i'll
each other to heed her astonishmcnt.
Then explanations were quickly given,
and, it appeared that Elias lover,
Frank Ardiey, was favorte from
childhood with Mrs Rand, who al
ways called him his middle name, and
to whom he had now come to impart
the story of his unhappy love, and to
seek in her quiet old home comfort for
his wounded spirit, and truly he had
found it.
But Ella, when the bcwi!dcring rap
ture of the unexpected meeting was
over, began to talk, teartully, yet de-
cidedIy, of returning home without
delay. She knew for what purpose
she had been sent from homc-knew
that under present circumstances her
father would not allow her to remain
an hour under her aunt's r0of-so she
must not stay.
Frank, looking very blank at this
announcement, declared he would
leave on the instant, rather than occa-
sion her departure.
But Mrs. Rand vetoed both motions,
ELIAS father had written to her, ask
ing her to take charge OF his daugh-
ter for the summer, and she intended
to do it, 50 Miss Ella need not think
of running away from hcr-a pretty
thing, truly And as for Harrison,
his home was always with her when
he could spare the time to come 50
there they were, and there they must
remain. And if her brother Horace
had picked up the wicked notion that
nothing was Of value but wealth and
grandeur it was high time for him to
drop it again. He thinks his daugh-
ter too good for Harrison Ardley, in
deed She could tell him her Harri-
son was match for the proudest lady
in the world !"
Without doubt Ella StanwoOd fully
concurred in this opinion, and the re-
suit of the old lady's representations
was, that the young people submitted
with wonderful docility to her deci-
sion, and said no more about leaving
And now what happy hours they
spent together, quite fulfilling Mrs.
Rand's prediction. Ella forgot her
purpose Of disliking and avoiding Mr.
Harrison-forgot that she had ever
thought the old homestead gloomy,
and its mistress prosy and garrulous.
The latter was now the best, dearest
aunt in the world, and her home the
most delightful spot. And Mrs Rand
had no cause for farther lamentations
over the young girls paleness and
want of spirits the roses had re-
tarned TO her cheeks, and her gayety
and sportivencss amused and delight
ed her warm-hearted aunt,
THE dear young thing !" she
would say to herself, as she saw the
lovers SO happy in each other, she
is Just the wife for Harrison Ardley
and his wife shall be, all her fathers
preiudiccs to the contrary, notwith-
standing"
So the summer glided by, and from
time to time Mrs. Rand sent good re-
ports to the parents respecting their
daughter, which reconcIled them to
her absence, and caused Mr.. Stan
wood to pride himself greatly on the
wisdom of the course he had pursued.
CHAPTER H.
Early in September came long
letter To Mr. Stanwood from his sister.
1t Informed him that mutual attach
mcnt existed between his daughter
and young gentleman, whom the
writer had known from his infancy,
and whom even she considered worthy
to be the husband OF her lovely niece,
ain short they are meant for each
other" the letter went on, and am
quite certain their union will be a hap
py one You see ! am counting On
your consent, as matter OF course,
for know if you searched the States
all through, you could not find more
uneXceptionablc match for Ella. My
adopted son, Harrison, is very fine
young man III every respect, talented,
AN important qualification with us
New Englanders, you know and he
comes of an old family, too, being re-
lated to the Harrisons of ---- county.
have long intended to make him my
heir though, for that matter he has
wealth enough of his own, still have
taken fancy to leave what property
possess to one who will make good
use of it, and it rejoices me to think,
that with your consent, my two ia.
vorites--for Ella has become very,
very dear to me-will share my world
ly goods" Mrs. Rand closed her let.
ter Of three pages, by requesting that
the marriage might take place at her
house, and that the parents would de
: signate IA suitable day for the ceremo
ny, and come to assist thereat.
Mr.. Stanwood unused long time
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