Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-12-22

laid upon my shoulder. turned my head
and Bangs was standing beside me.
Take laudanum-it's the easiest way. y
He laughed and went on. ! entered the
gate and walked up into the house. Nc
one was in the drawing room, and passed
Oft into the library, where | found Mr.
Leighton
Ida has gone out, has she not?" asked
No, she is in the drawing room," he re-
piled.
| went back. The gas had not been lit
and it was quite dark, but on the lounge
saw Miss Leighton. How it relieved me.
81 thought you had gone out" said /
taking seat beside her.
No. Sister went out with Mr.. Davis
riding"
But havn't you been out?'
81, - thought saw you"
''Who is Mr. Davis ?' l asked.
He is an old friend of ours. He came
from New York to-day"
"Only friend ?"
81 believe he and sister are engaged tc
be married"
lleve that | had not seen Ida in the carriage
pu. IL VI. bdNIs was enSdSeu 10 Cally,
had nothing to fear.
The moonlight was lust stealing into tn,
room. That and Ida's bright eyes wa
light enough; / needed no other 1 hardly
dared to speak, fearing that it would break
the spell, and the dear one would vanish
like the angels in our dreams. To-nigh
decides my fate. I bent over her. | tool
her hand. 1t lay passively in mine. | fell
Ia braa -alo
Dearest" | whispered.
strangely. / felt the blood tingle in my
finger ends, and shoot from my heart to the
tip of my toes. knew then that sheloved
me. / stole one arm around her waist.
'It is needless to tell my love, dearest
you know it already"
"Oh, Edward this is too much happines,
for me !"
=, She flung herself upon my breast, crying
like child.
/ kissed her brow; | wiped the tears from
her eyes | slipped the sweet dew from hel
soft lips.
When willyou be mine?" 1 asked, when
she had become calm.
when you will, darling"
will your father consent?"
doubt it not. He will do nothing that
would not tend to our happiness
But am poor.
Il know it, but father already regards
you as kindly as if you were his SON. Let
us go to him now; he is in the library
alone
We got up and went hand in hand to the
library. Mr.. Leighton had gone out. 1t
was dark, all but where the moonlight shone
through the windows, and lay in silyery
sheets upon the carpet.
I'VE will wait here till he comes in, "
said my charmer.
Then we sat down on the sofa, and her
soft cheek was pressed against mine. al
most dreaded the coming of Mr. Leighton,
| was so very happy. | thought to myself,
what will Bangs say when | tell him all
Then heard footsteps in the hall, and the
voice of Mr.. Leighton. There was some
one with him.
'Sister and Mr.. Davis have returned. y
Yes. | hope they will not come in, y
and | advanced to meet him, leaving Idt
sitting on the sofa
The gas was lighted
'Mr. leighton said I, "perhaps 70,
have anticipated the request am about t,
make.
"Well, well, / don't know-what is it?'
he asked, looking somewhat surprised.
You must be aware that my freauen
visits to your house were for some purpose. ,
.'To tell the truth, hadn't thought any
thing about it"
''What never suspected my intentions?
"No."
'He looked at the sofa, then at me, while
a look of surprise came over his face.
II think | begin to understand what it il
all about now. But, then, who would have
thought it?"
WAS it strange ~
"Why, good gracious boy, she's Ole
enough to be your mother!
What could he mean? | look at him in,
gurngly. 1t was only for second, for Mr.
Davis came in at that moment, and Mr.
Leighton turned to him.
'What do you think is up? Sally is GO
ing to be married, Frank. Wen have two
weddings instead of one. y
Sally to be married ?" cried some one
whose voice ] knew then too well.
| turned round quickly. Sally was sitting
upon the sofa, blushing like a tiger liley-
Horrors! ] turned again to see Ida stand
ing beside Mr.. Davis, almost ready to burst
with suppressed laughter.
"Why, what's the matter with you, my
Doy you look palei salu WI. leighton.
"Nothing, sir" ! managed to articulate.
Eyes there is Bring some water, Ida,
quick, he's going to faint !"
They laid me upon the sofa, for was too
weak to stand.
Leave the room, all of you he is mine
mine only |" cried Sally, bending down
and putting that lovely mouth to my lips.
That revived me- sprang up. The
window was open, and without stopping to
say, Good night" | sprang through it,
and did not stop till | found myself at Bangs
door.
whats the matter now?' cried Bangs,
as I rushed into the room where he was
sitting. 'Where your hat p
1--WE left that at leighton
"Your hat and your heart, | suppose, are
laying at the lovely Ida's feet. "
''No; worse than that.
"Worse?"
'Yes. l have been counting in the dark,
and have offered myself to-to-Sally.
so We gods, that is rich!"
Bangs threw himself upon the floor and
rolled and laughed until thought he would
die in convulsions / left him in that state
and hurried home to pack my trunks.
At twelve O'Clock that night | took 9
private conveyance and left the town never
to return.
saw Ida's marriage in the paper soor
after; but Sally doubtless mourns for hel
lover as for one dead.