The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-27

she did not seem TO hear me-nor LaunceJon
either, for that matter. His earnestness had
soitened down; he sat, very thouRhtful over
against the window where Lizzie had taken her
sewing. What pretty picture she made
Come here, my little girl,n saidj 81 should
not like thee, to 60. the way of the world; and
yet should be satisfied to give thee away some
day, quietly, in white muslin gown and straw
bonnet, to some honest man who loved thee
and was loved so well, that Lizzie would never
dream of marrying any ether, but would have
been quite content If need be, TO live an old
maid for his sake to the end of her days. That's
what / call love-eh, my girl ?n
Lizzie drooped her head, blushing deeply. OF
course; girls always do.
Launceston said, in a tone so low that quite
started. "rhen you do believe in true love, after
all Z"
"It would be i'll for me, or for any human be
ing, If did not And believe in ii the more
earnestly because OF its numberless counterieits.
Nay"-and now, when, after this gay marriage
morning, the evening was sinking grey and dull
my mind inclined pensiyely, even tenderly, to
the sister who had gone, the other two sisters
who we're shortly going away, from my hearth
Tor ever-"nay, as since IN the falsest cree0s
there turks, / hope modcum of absolute
truth, / would fain trust that in the poorest
travesty or masquerade of love, one might find
a fragment of the sterling commodity. STILL my
Lizzie GEAR, when all our brides are gone, let us
congratulate ourselves that for long time we
shall have no more engagements
"You object to engagementsN said Lizzie,
speaking timidly and downfaced-as / rather
ike to see young girl speak on this subject
'Why, how should you like it yourself, my lit
tie maid? To be loved, wooed, and welded in
public, for the benefit of an amused circle OF
friends, neighbors, and connections. To have
ones actions noticed ones affairs canvassed,
ones feelings weighed and measured; to be con-
graduated, condoed, and tested with. Horrible |
literally horrible. My wonder is that any true
lovers can ever stand it."
"Perhaps you are right" said Launceston, We.
hemently. ''NO man ought 70 place the girl he
he ought to leave her free-altogether free-and
offer her nothing until he can offer her his hand
at once and with no delay.p
"Bless my soul, Launceston, what are you in
such excitement aboutg Has anybody been
offering himself to your sister? Because, you
mitook me. Ask her, or Lizzie or any good
woman, il they would feel fattered by gentle
mans acting in the way you suggest AS ii
bis hand-with the ring in it-were anything
to them, and himself and his true love nothing
at all ]"
Launceston laughed uneasily. "well, but
what did you mean? "A friend OF mine would
like to know your opinion on this matter"
my opinion is SIMPLY an opinion. Every
man ls the best Judge of his own affairs, espe
cially love affairs. AS the Eastern proverb
says:-Let not the lions decide for the tigers.
But think did love a woman-and it pleases
me TO know was but speaking out her mind,
who years ago lived aud died, in her fond sim
pliclty wiser than any of these-did love q
woman, would like to tell her So just to her
to rest on; to receive the help and consolation
of hers l would like her to feel that through
all chances and changes she and l were one;
one, neither for foolish childs play nor headlong
passion, but for mutual strength and support;
holding ourselves responsible both to Heaven
and each other Tor our life and our love. One
indissolubly, whether we were ever married OF
not, one in this world, and, we pray, one in the
world everlasting
Was 1 dreaming? Did I actually see my
friend Launceston take. untorbidden, my
youngest sisters hand, and hold it-frmly, ten
derly, fast Did 1 hear, with my own natural
ears, Lizzie's softi little sob not of grief Ger
taiply, as she slipped out OF the room, as swift
and silent as moonbeam?
Eth what? Good heavens! Was there evel
any creature so blind as a middle-aged elder
brother.
Well, ] told Launceston, it was half my
own fault, and must bear it stoicallY. Perhaps
on the whole, things might have been worse, fol
| he is a noble fellow, and no wonder the chile
| loves him. They cannot be married Just yet
meanwhile, Lizzie and | kept The matter be
| tween ourselves. They are very happy-God
| bless them and so am /.
P. .S.-Mr. Archer reappeared yesterday look
| ing quite well and comfortable. l see clearly
| that one day not distant l shall be left lament
| ing-the solitary resduum of a Family in Love