Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-11-29

i Having given vent 10 this burst of elOquence,
the amiable spiuster settled back into her chair
and subsided into a solemn silence. whose dig
nifty struggled unsuecessuflly with the impa-
tisnce distinctly visible in every glance of the
keen, restless eye, and in each line Of the sharp,
angular face.
Mrs Jenkins continued: "Tn order that /
may relieve the disinterested, and highly com
mendabe anxiety which has so distracted your
minds for some weeks past and silence the
many rumors to which it has given rise. have
concluded to answer that Important question
to the best OF my ability, upon two conditions
T The first one is, that the secret, which | shall
unfold TO you, be strictly confined TO your own
bosoms!"
This was said with look and tone of great
soemnity, and as the reader will readily i'm
agine, it produced a CORES Ponding increase of
curiosity and excitement in those who heard
it.
They all, individually, and collectively, be-
gan Immediately 10 declare, g that they would
never breathe syllable of tito any living be-
ing :" Miss Wormwood herocally adding,
&" No, not if she was 10 be stretched on the
rack y Which, as there was little danger OF
the occurrence of that rather unpleasant al
formative, seemed TO be somewhat super
fluous.
"My other condition" resumed Mrs. Jen-I
kens, lis, that none of you ask me another ques
lion concerning it,"
This last condition was harder to be COM
Piled with; but as the widow declined to pro
ceed without it. they gaYe their assent to that
also.
Then, ladies'" said Mrs. Jenllens, speaking
slowly and distinctly, u viii inform you that
the reason why havnt Warr;ed DR.. Wells, is
because he has nerer ASKED me!'
So completely absorbed were these ladies in
this anxiously expected revelation, that they
had not observed that they had an addition TO
their number, in the form Of a tall, fine look
ing gentleman, who had stood for the last few
minutes, upon the threshold of the half open
door; evidently uncertain as to whether he
had better advance or retreat, Neither did
the widow observe it, until, at the conclusion |
of her sentence, she raised her eyes, and met
the gaze of the dark and handsome pair that
were fixed upon her eountenance, in which |
there was a singular blending OF mirthlulness
and wonder.
The Consciousness that be had heard what
size said, sent the warm blood TO her checks, |
but she did not loose, otherwise, the quiet |
selfpossesson that characterized her usual
manner.
Dr. Wells, for it was he. had already receiv-
Cd an inkling of the rumors that were afloat |
concerning him, SO he was at no loss to under |
stand the present state of affairs But wlth~
out appearing to notice the evident consterna-
. ,F t,o lie Il
trance. he turn d to the widow, and said quiet |
ly, "Good evening, Mrs. Jenkins, / rang twice
at the door. but receiving no attention, and /
hearing the sound Of voices within, ventured |
to enter unanhOunccd
Then, without waiting for reply he turned |
TO the rest of the company, and iuclining his
head, remarked, Il believe that owe an apo!-
ogy TO some of my COOL friends present for my
abrupt departure. But the sudden and alarm
ing illness of u near relative will prove, l am
confident, 10 such kind and charitable hearts, /
sufficient excuse"
A deep silence folIqyed these words, which
was broken by Miss Dorothy Wormwood who |
rising from her seat, sad that it was growing I
dark, and she guessed that sae would have 10
be going"
W hViVul''ii d hulIiCefH ol otitTS stdTltu up |
declaring that they chad no idea that it was 50
later
So, one by one, they stole out, confusion up |
on their couutenances, and shame and discern |
fture in their hearts leaving the Doctor and
the widow to themselves.
Now, We would not have the reader suppose,
for one moment, that we would be guilty OF |
such breach Of confidence as to relate the
conversation that followed besides we are well /
aware, though the most delightful thing imag-
Unable to the parties themselves, that it is in
sufferably fiat and stupid to everybody else,
especially whep put upon papcs- But this we
may safely say, that if the Ivid, jenkins
didn't marry Dir, Wells, it wasn't because he
didn't ask herI