Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-05-28

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 ques-
ton to the best of my ability, upon two con-
ditions. The first is that the secret which !
shall unfold to you be strictly confined to youl
own bosoms.
This was said with look and tone of great
sOlemnity, and as the reader win readily i'm
agine, it produced a corresponding degree oi
curiosity and excitement in those who heard
it.
They all, individually and collectively, be-
gan Immediately to declare that they would
never breathe a syllable to any living being p
Miss WOrmwood herOically adding, "Not il
she was to be stretched upon the rack P
Which, as there was little danger of the oe-
.currence Of that rather unpleasant alternative,
seemed to be somewhat superhuouS
"My other condition" resumed Mrs Jen-
kins, is that none of you ask me another
question concerning it"
This last condition was harder to be COM
piled with; but as the widow declined to pro-
eeed without 1t, they gave their consent to
that also.
"Then ladies, said Mrs. jenkins, speaking
slowly and distinctly, "I will inform you that
the reason why I haven't married DR.. Wells,
is-because he has necer asked me ~
So completely absorbed were these ladies
in this anxiously expected revelation, that
they had not noticed that they had an addi-
ton to their number, in the form of tall, fine
looking gentleman, who had stood for few
moments on the threshold of the half opened
door, evidently uncertain as to whether he
had better advance or retreat. Neither did
the widow observe it, until at the conclusion
Of Ler sentence, she raised her eyes, and met
the gaze of the large and handsome pair that
were fixed upon her countenance, in which
there was a singular blending of mirthfulnsss
and wonder.
The consciousness that he had heard what
she had said, sent the warm blood to her
cheeks, but she did not lose, otherwise, the
quiet selE-possession that characterized her
usual manner
DR.. Wells, for it was he. had already receiv-
ed an inkling Of the rumors that were afoat
him, so he was at no loss to un-
derstaud the present state OF affairs. But
without appearing to notice the evident con-
sterna'ion of the company at his unexpected
entrance, he turned to the widow, and said
quietly, GOOD evening. Mrs. Jenkins.
rang twice at the door, but receiving no at
tentien, and hearin. the sound of voices with
in, ventured to enter unnannounced."
Then, without waiting Tor a reply, he turn
ed to the rest Of the company, and incIiniug
his head remarked, I believe that owe
an apology 20 some Of my good friends here
for alarming illness of near relative will
prove, am confident to such kind and char
table hearts a sufficient excuse"
A deep silence followed these words, which
was broken by Miss Dorthy Wormwood, who
Using from her seat, said, "That it was get
ting dark, and she guessed that she would
have to be going"
Whereupon number of others stood up
that they had no idea that it was
50 Iatsl"
So, one By one, they stole out confusion
upon their countenances, and shame and dis
eomfture. 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
that followed; besides. we are
well aware, though the most delightful thing
Imaginable to the parties themselves, that it
IS sufficiently fiat and stupid to everybody else,
especially when put upon paper. But this
we may safely say, that if the widow Jenkins
lidn't marry DR.. Wells, it ,sasn't because lie
7idat ask hrri