The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-12-18
BIDDEF0RD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING
icate lace, presiding at the silver ten urn.-
Except, perhaps-but that Is neither here

lcate lace, presiding at the silver ten urn.-
Except, perhaps-but that Is neither here
nor there.
Twas little disappointed, on entering,
not to sec Leos sister.in.law, trim little
beauty, with brown, ripping hair, and vel.
vety, somewhere between hazel and black,
eyes, but | ibid not like to ask any questions,
and consequently remained in ignorance un-
til Mary casually remarked
"Nettie is very low spirited this evening.
Perhaps she will come down stairs by and
by"
How longed to ask what the matter was.
Perhaps she had received i'll news; perhaps
she was not we'll. would have given my
two ears to have known, but didn't dare to
inquire. g..
$50 you're going to DO married. oh, Tracy,
my boy said Leo, as VIC sat in front Of tho
bright FIRE. "Well, you can't do better. At
best. a bachelor is q nero fraction Of soci.
ety.
Istartcd up, annoyed beyond oil ondur-
ance.
"For mercy's sake, my dear Leo, do tell
me where you picked up that most ridcu-
lous report?"
"Ridiculous report! that's pretty cool,
upon my honor" exclaimed Worcester.
"Now. Mr.. Golde," said Mary, laughing,
"don't deny tho soft impeachment. am
sure you would enjoy quiet homo of your
own better than that noisy hotel. There is
no charm against q sad heart like that of do.
mestic bliss"
There was q radiant softness in her own
tender eyes, rs she spoke, that penetrated me
with the sudden conviction that had been
exceedingly foolish to remain single all these
years.
"Do confess" she added, gaily.
"But have nothing on earth to confess"
"Nonsensc," s.id Mary, holding up u
warning finger. "What wcrc you buying
this very morning at D'Articr's?"
turned scarlet; here was that everlasting
wedding cake again!
Fortunately, my inquisition was terminal
cd for a moment by tho entrance of Leo's
sister. in.law, looking lovclier than had ever
seen her before u little palo, perhaps. how
ever, and her eyelashes heavy with what |
could almost have fancicd tho traces of 70.
cent tears, wero il not that she seemed in OK.
travagant gay spirits. The soft fushcs Of
color came and went like pink shadows across
her checks, and her coral lips were dimplcd
with the brightest Of smiles, yet all the time
I could not divest myself Of the old impres.
sion that she was ready to melt into On
April shower Of tears at any moment.
She lightly rendered me her congratula-
tions upon the approaching happy event,
holding out small, snowy hand, loaded
with sparkling rings, rs she did 80.
"YOu speak in riddles. Miss Ncttic."
"Don't pretend that you have not tho key
to thcm,'' she said, little tremulously.
81 cannot comprehend what you mean,"
answered I, sturdily. -,
She said no more, but sat quietly down,
and shaded her eyes with her hand, as though
the fire dazzled them. Mrs. Worcester,
however. still pursued the obnoxious topic.
"Then how do you explain tho wedding
cake at D'Artier'sY"
"Is that the only testimony upon which l
am tried and convicted of wiful intention
of matrimony?"
"That is all. We are readyto hear your
defence"
"Well, that unlucky mass 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 rare brilliance
under her long lashes, and an almost invol
untary smile wrcathing her lips. took
heart Of hopo and went bravely on, cheercd
by sudden inspiration.
"But | will purchase bride cake twice
as large, for my own wedding, If Nettie will
consent to be tho brlde!"
Thore-I had done it, and in less than five
minutes was an accepted lover, looking bold
ly into the wondrous liquid depths Of those
brown, beautiful eyes. A new sensation,
very!
1And now. Tracy" said Mary, quite mis-
"I'll tell you secret the reason
Nettie cried half the afternoon, and became
30 low spirited this evening, was that"
."Mary!" demonstrated Nettic, with checks
ablaze.
That she heard you were buying wed.
ding cakc!' pursued Mary, putting away
the white fingers with which Nottie vainly
strovo to letter her telltalc lips.
I'm order another Tomorrow said !,
'Ah shouldn't have re.
pined so much ut Toms commission had |
known what swoct little wife it would
bring no.
Don't, Tracy said Ncttc, hiding her
face on my shoulder.
Tom wrote to know why on earth | didn't
come to his hymcnial ceremonies. | wrote
back that was obliged to stay to attend
wedding of my own.
And such wedding cako as graccd tho
ccntrc Of our banqucting board It's no
use trying to describe its frosted splendors,
but if' any of my readers seriously contcm-
plate getting married, I'll send them the re-
ceipt.
How FARM LaBoRERs LIVE IN ESGLASD.-l
Tho Agricultural Gazette (England) reports
upon the condition of tho agricultural labor
ors in Norfolk County. Two closely printed
nre filed with statements like these: