Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-17

where you picked up that ridiculous report !"
Ridiculous report that's pretty cool, upon
my honor" exclaimed Worcester.
t'Now, Mr.. Golde,' said Mary, laughing,
"don't deny the soft impeachment. I am
sure you would enjoy quiet home Of your
own much better than that noisy hotel There
is no charm against sad heart like domestic
bliss!''
There was a radiant softness in her own ten
der eyes as she spoke that penetrated me with
the sudden conviction that had been exceed
ingly foolish to remain single all these years.
"Do confess" she added, gaily
"But 1 have nothing on earth to confess. 5"
Nonsense" said Mary, holding up pret-
ty, warning finger. "What were you buying
at ID Artier' 8 this very morning"
I turned scarlet; here was that everlasting
wedding-cake again!
Fortunately my inquisition was terminated
for a moment by the entrance of Lees sister
in-law, looking lovelier than / had ever seen
her before; little pale, perhaps, however,
and her silky eyelashes heavy with what
could almost have fancied recent tears, were it
not that she seemed in extravagant gay spirits.
The soft fushes of color came and went like
pink shadows across her cheeks, and her coral
lips were dimpled with the brightest of smiles;
vet all the time / could not divest myself of
the sdd impression that she was ready to melt
into an April shower Of tears at any moment,
She lightly rendered me her congratulations
upon the approaching "happy event, holding
out small snowy hand loaded with sparkling
rings, as she did so.
'FYou speak in riddles, Miss Nettie" .
Don't pretend that you have not the key
to them," She said, little TREMENDOUSLY.
SO cannot comprehend what you mean, "
answered 1, sturdily.
She said no more, but sat quietly down,
shading her eyes with her hand, as though the
fire dazzled them. Mrs. Worcester, however,
still pursued the obnoxious topic.
-"Then how do you explain the wedding
cake at D'Artier's?"
"Is that the only testimony upon which I
am tried and convicted of willful intention
of matrimony?"
"That is all; we are ready to hear your de-
fence"
"Well, that unlucky mess of white sugar
and dyspepsia was for my brothers. wedding
ceremonies, hundred miles away. / assure
you it had not the least connection with my
matrimonial fortunes!'
Nettie looked up with a rare brillisnce un-
der her long lashes, and an almst involuntary
smile uresthing her lips, took heart of hope
and went brsvely on, cheered by sudden in
spiration.
" But will purchase bride-cake twice as
|-large, for my own wedding, if Nette will con-
sent to be the bridew
There-Ihad done it, and ia less than five
minutes was an accepted lover, looking boldly
into the wOndrous liquid depths Of those brown,
beautiful eyes.
"And new, Tracy" said Mary ,mischievous-
ly, "!'ll tell you secret; the reason Nettie
cried half the afternoon, and became so low
spirited this evening, was that"
Mary" demonstrated Nettie, with cheeks
ablaze.
THAT she heard you were buying a we'd
ding-cake !" pursued Mary, putting away the
white fingers with which Nettie vainly strove
to fetter her tell tale lips.
" I'll order another one tomorrow, said L,
meditat;vely. "Ah, I shouldn't have repined
so much at Toms commission had I known
what a sweet little wife it would win me"
"Don't Tracy :" said Nettie, hiding her face
on my shoulder.
And when Tom wrote to know why on earth
l didn't come to his hymenial ceremonies,
wrote back that | was obliged to stay to at
tend wedding of my own,
And such a wedding-c cake as graced the cen
ter of our banqueting board! It's no use try
ing to describe its frosted splendors but if any
of my readers seriously contemplate getting
married, I'll send them the recipe.