The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1866-10-25

through violet eyes obscured in tears. =
4" Oh, sir, l should be so thankful"
How late you are, Frank Here give
me your overcoat-it is all powdered with
snow, and"
But Frank interrupted his bustling,
cherry checked mother, as she stood on
tip-toe to take off his outer wrappings.
Hush, mother. there is a young Ia
dy down stairs"
a young lady, Frank"
Yes, mother; expressed on from Iowa
to old Harrington, the rich merchant
He sailed for Europe this morning, and
she is entirely alone. Mother, she looks
like poor Blanche, and l knew you would
Mt refuse her corner here until she could
find something to do.'
Mrs. Evans went to the door and called
cherrily out.
Come up stairs, my dear-you're well
come as flowers in May! Frank you did
quite right; you always do"
The days and weeks passed on, and still
Minnie Harlan remained an inmate of
Mrs. Evans humble dwelling. cit seems
just as though she had taken our dead
Blanche's place." said the cozy little wild
ow; and she. is so useful about the
house. L don't know how 1 managed
without her."
Now Minnie you are not in earnest
about leaving US tomorrow
I" I must, dear Mrs. Evans. Only think
i have been here two months to NOR
row; and the situation as governess is ve-
ry advantageous"
Very well, / shall tell Frank how We
~ obstinate you are"
Dearest Mrs. Evans, please don't!-
Please keep my secret"
What secret is it that is to be so reli-
giously keptY asked Mr.. Frank Evans,
coolly walking into the midst of the dis
cussion with his dark hair tossed about
by the wind, and his hazel brown eyes
sparkling archly.
{" Secretw repeated Mrs. Evans, ener-
getically wiping her dim spectacle glasses.
Why, Minnie is determined to leave US
tomorrow"
{" Minniew
"I must, Frank, I have no right fur
ther to trespass on your kindness.
< No right, Ell? Minnie do you know
that the house has been different house
since you come into it? Do you suppose
we want to loose our little sunbeam %
Minnie smiled sadly, but her hand felt
very cold and passive in Franks warm
grasp
" You'll stay Minnie?"
"No." She shook her head determin-
edly. :,
"Then you must be made to stay" said
Frank. "Pve missed something of great
value lately and 1 hereby arrest you on
suspicion of the theft!"
:" Missed somethingw Minnie rose and
turned red and white. cob, Frank, you
can never suspect mel"
i" But | do suspect you. In fact, | am
quite sure that the article is in your pos
session."
"The articlew
"My heart, Miss Minnie! Now look
here; / love you, Minnie Harlan, and l
will be good and true husband to you.
Stay and be my little wife!'
So Minnie Harlan, instead of going out
as a goyerness, according to the pro-
gramme, married the dark-haired clerk in
Ellison's Express Office.
They were very quietly married, early
in the morning, and Frank took Minnie
home to his mother, and then went calm
ly about his business in the wire cage,
under the circlet Of as-lights.
Evans"
Yes, SIR"
Frank, with his pen behind his ear as
in yore, quietly obeyed the behest of the
gray headed official.
Do you remember the young woman
who was expressed on from Millington,
iowa, two months since %
Yes, sir-I remember her"
A tall, silver headed gentlemen here
interposed with eager quickness:s
Where is she? / am her uncle, Wal
ter Harrington. I have just returned
from Paris when the news of her arrival
reached mel / want her; she is the only
living relative left me !"
"Ah! but, sir" said Frank, "you
can't have her."
Cant have her? What do you mean
Has anything happened?"
4" Yes, sir, something has happened =
Miss Harlan was married to me this morn
ing"
Walter Harrington started.
"Take me to her." he said hoarsely.-
" cant be parted from my only relative
for q mere whim"
" / wonder if he calls the marriage SER
vice and wedding ring mere whims. I"
thought honest Frank but he obeyed in
silence.
4" Minnie" said the old man, in falter-
ing accents, " you will come to me and be
the daughter of my old age? | am rich,
Minnie, and you are all l have in the
world"
But Minnie stole her hand through her
husbands arm.