Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-07-23


posed story but all the rest of these girls and
boys =
Uncle Herbert's fine eyes sparked. 30, well,
you needn't Tell it before them, he said, Come
over to that great chair with me, where nobody
but'you and can hear
And crossing the room, he placed himself in
the above mentioned chair and perched me on
his knee. Now for it, Ellen.
'uncle Herbert, was thinking about Aunt
Adelaide. l was wishing, when you spoke to
me, that she would get married, like Aunt Mar
garet and Aunt Eveline, aud my mama.'
THAT'S my frank Ellen Well, but cannot
say that | quite agree with you in your wish.--
What should do without my good sister AIDE
laide ? What would Adcladc's father and mother
do, do You suppose
Il can't tell, sir. But why shouldn't she
marry, like the rest?
lie laughed, and then grew grave. True
enough, why shouldn't she, Ellen? But don't
talk about so dreadful thing Maybe, Aun
Adelaide will take it into her head to fly off
some day; hut we mustn't suggest such tigh
you know. 1t never would do in the world ?
Uncle Norbert, | meant to ask her. | au
glad you told me not, if you wouldn't like it,
80 am L. And he smiled.
But you wont tell grandpapa and grand
mamma, and the rest, what have said to you !?
NO, Ellen, | will not, he answered.
slid down from his knee, aud then stood
where had landed, listening to q sound without,
Now what, Ellen 2
Il hear seigh-bells Uncle HERBERT
lie listened also, with inclined head.
so do 1. Sleigh.bells are no very uncommon
thing, but confess they surprise me to night.
[ thought the road was completely blocked up.
We went together to Il window, and he drew
aside the curtaiu. The sauW bal ceased TO tall
The night was hne and clear A plain of sarlii
whiteness extended for miles away on every
hand. You could not see the drifts, but found
ering up through them, coming from the direc-
tion of the town, were visible pair of powerful
black horses, and sleigh with three or foui
persons in it. For n moment, the horses wert
reined in; then their heads were turned towards
the open gateway of the carriage drive, leading
up to the door.
'It is somebody coming here said my uncle
| letting the curtain fall and with word to tht
rest, he left the room, and crossed the hall tt
open the door. went with him.
food Of light flowed out upon the snowy
drive, revealing the horses, the sleigh, and thl
people, at once. There was u man in a shaggy
oyereoat who sprang from the sleigh and nd-
vancing towards my uncle said, in brief and
plain speech, yet with certain oourteousness o
manner that softened some little apparent testi-
ness Of feeling
'sir, we must beg pardon for this intrusion
10 60 farther up the road which is quite mpas
sable beyond this, and | am forced to entrea
your hospitality for few hours till men cal
clear way down from the Hedge
You are quite welcome, sir returned m
uncle-'you are quite welcome. Come direct
in, if you please | will send n servant to atten
to your horses. Ellen,' to me--'run and spea
to Thomas, my dear
ran, and when l came back | found thre
in fbn hnll ha tunr 1 hn
first seen, who turned out to be Mr.. Arthursor
our new neighbor Of the Hedge 10 fine estat
somewhat more than mile above the parsonage
his ward, Richard Hilton, a young and hand
some man, and-I mention her last, because
must tell how beautiful she was--a young gil
of sixteen or seventeen, standing just under Il
hall lamps so that the lamp fell full on her brig
fair curls, her white brow, and flushed cheek
and left in violent shadow the sweet, shy eye
that looked bashfully about and then dropped
the floor again. My Aunt Adelaide had cor
out, and my mother; aud they were taking @
the cumbersome cloak that enveloped her litt
figure. She was Louise Alilward, the niece
Mr.. Arthurson.
Their wrappings removed, out guests wei
introduced to the company in the parlor. W
found they had come from c. that Afternoon
with the expectation Of reaching the Hedge
eight o'clock, and had got on very well, unit
the drifts up the road impeded their furth'
progress. They weie cordially invited to tal
up their quarters at the parsonage, until Il
road was broken up. There was no prospect
their being able to push on, for two or thr'
: days.
t A slight appearance of mpahenc6, constern
! ton and amusement was visible among them
this announcement and no wonder. for Richal
Hilton and pretty Louise Milward were to ha'
$ been married, at Mr. ATthurson's house, tn
/ evening
Cannot we get on, l wonder p was Mr.. NJ
] toms serious inquiry. He seemed disappoiDte
8 Pretty Louise laughed with Clara at the della
/, Richard would have the groom up, to get /
8 opinion. Thomas wns called he listened, ca
c culated the strength Of the horses, and shook
5 head obviously, in answer to tho inquiry of N
It Hilton whether there was any possibility Of
= messenger reaching the Hedge
F 'No, sir, l dinna think yell get there
Il night was his decision.
'Wel my dear sir said Uncle Edmund laug
!, ingly, to Mr.. Arthurson- Since there is pr,
= pect of your reaching the Hedge to night, n
!, this evening was set for the marriage, why shOu
o it not take place stlg My brother lIerbc
o here will, L am sure, be only too happy to of
s, his services
d Mr.. ArthursOn turned quickly TO my Unt
Herbert Indeed = he muttered, scanning b
lie rapidly. Then-'I beg your pardon aloud
r 'then we are at the Grahame Parsonage, aft
lie all | thought as much at first
ID My Uncle Herbert bowed, and said somethi
ar confirmatory of his brothers words Mr.. Atthl
in son meditated n moment. and then referred I
I'd mattered to Richard Hilton. In moment
m were discussing it, while the lovely little brid
TO elect trembed and bushed like q rOse-leaf, o
If, seemed wavering between smiles and tears.
to You had better not postpone it, my dea
,st said our grandmother, people say there's
good in putting OF a wedding
Ter And all were on grandmother's side. All
es clared that il would be charming thing to h
ie, II wedding to vary the evenings entertainine
y, and the aunts clustered about the little Lou
ut with oil sorts of encouragement. The child
We were in a fever Of excitement. Clara HoS
te iuttered about with delight
ll, stole my Uncle Herberts hand. 'Woult
it be splendid to have u wedding, une
,er l asked, confidently 'nOw DON'T you thin
nat wouldT
ing He looked amused.
r, Il think it would be decidedly fine, my
III Ellen. Why can't you use your influence
her the lady
,ad Il don't dare. They wouldn't mind me,
the so little. But you just 60 and say somethir
Mr.. Hilton. It's all he wants, I'm sure
to Uncle Herbert laughed.
not you are q person of decided pcnetra
she Ellen, Aunt Adelaide could not have covered
eth case better herself
gle And he crossed over to Mr.. Hilton's G.
nth And while they were talking, MIR. Arthu
d q stood with his back to the fire, his arms fc
Ter. on his chest, and his eyes fixed on the fiool
Use, have not described MIR. Arthurson yet.
oul, He was rather tall aud spare-buill man,
len. a form that displayed at once strength, act
rev and grace; yes, certainly grace, for l coul,
for help admirng it. His head was massive,
iful covered with abundant, close-curled locl
her black, silien hair the forehead was broad
square, the eyes very dark, and large, with s
,rel and penetration flashing from beneath
she heavy brows the nose aud mouth expressi
p us pride, firmness, decision and energy. M
had used no delicate chisel-no exquisite ms
here In nm bour of iuspiratiOu-With r