North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-11-28

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to the conclusion that Fred was by no means
di>agrreable to her Things went on IN
! this way without definite result until Fred
received sudden summons home on &C
count of his mothers illness. When he
came back to renew his visit lie insisted
upon staying at theOakviIle Hotel rather
than wear out his Welcome at our house
and finding rsmonstrance unavailng there
he went. The landlord (honest old Downs
bury-I wonder if he yet lives) gave Fred
a. my suggestion, his best bedroom, No.
POI an particular in mentioning the
| number. " He shall have No. 90" said
Dawnsbury. Amy friends of pours, Mas
ter Augustus, shall have the best have to
give as longs I'm landlord" 1t was pleas
ant room, looking out on the distant hills
and the beautiful winding branch of the
Blackwater but what cared Fred for seen
cry? he was in the hands of the blind god,
As could not see even as far as his nose
except in the direction of Bellies cottage.
| used to 90 over to Fred's room and smoke
my cigar while he, poor wretch, expatiated
on his sufferings, doubts, and soicitudes.-
Did she love him that was the question
which disturbed every moment Of his exis-
tcnce, ard to which, with the closest resson-
ing. he conld not bring himself satisfacto-
ry reply. Sometimes he thought word
or a sign settled the point beyond a doubt
III his favor at others he fancled he read
a cnolne-s and indiffercure in her eyes. In
this condition of uncertainty he dared not
press tho question lest hssty step might
bri, g him t. grief.
A, Fred's earnest solicitation | prom
iSel to sound Belle as to her sentements,
If favorable opportunity presehted itself,
or at any rate to let her know, in an indi-
rect way, that Fred was languishing in
distress on her account, and thus give her
10 excuse for unnecessarily, prolonging
his misery 1t so happened, however, that
nv services were not called into requisi-
tinn. Belle Bronson, because of the sud-
den arrival at her house of some country
cousins, was obliged to give up her room
her mothers cottage being small one
and to occupy for single night room at
the hotel. We would cheerfully have Of
fered her guests accommodation at our
house, but We we're in the same predica-
ment. An agricultural fair in the village
ii I-~.,s>I.t manu- stronnarS into the nl,,n.
and our own guests were so numerous that
had gwen up my room to two OF them,
and had intended asking Fred Evans to
let me pass the night with him.
For this purposr | went to the hotel at a
late honr, and proceeded at once to Freds
room, but to my surprise found no one
there. | did not even notice that his
trunk was gone, or suspect the fact, which
aftcrward became apparent, that 'to obliSe
some lady guests for this night only" as
the landlord expressed it, Fred had con-
sented to give up "No 20" and occupy
small room in the rear of the building
The gas being turned up Itook a book to
await bis return, and hearing at last what
appeared to be steps approaching the
room, and supposing it to be Fred, in mo.
mentary impulse to play a joke upon him
sIipped under the bed, large and high
one, intending to initiate cat (of which
animal knew he had detestation) so
soou AS he entered the room. The door
opened, and was on the point Of indul
ing in nv vcntiiloquial faculty by giving
long drawn n,ieow, when from my hiding
ing place | beheId Belle Bronson take
quiet possession of the apartment!
NV astonishmeut was 80 great, and the
sense of modification so intense, that |
did rot, as | should have done, make my
self Immediately Known to her. Thus the
opportunity for discovery and explanation
was lost. | dared not move hair, but
hoped sincerely that some excuse might
take her out Of the room for a moment,
AID so facilitate my escape. She. howev-
er, orked the door, removed the key and,
as knew by the sound, prepared to re-
tire. Finally she knee ed down beside
the bed, ami claspi-.g her hands and bow
inc her head ESQ fearfnlly near to mine
that could hear the soft words in my We
ry earl s. G offered up her evening prayer
in manner so full of feeling, and with
such sweet accents of womanly tender
ness and devotion, that felt as if she was
an angel bending over the viIest of NOR
tails. That prayer went to my heart -
but one portion of went through it and
held it captive Never shall forget my
feelings Of surprise and my deep emotion
when | heard her utter these worls -
BLESS my dear mother, sisters, and friends;
bless all around me, and oh, God bless
him | love, Augustus Evergreen, and
shower down thy mercIes over him.
Amen Ah," Augustus" said my d.
vinity TO herself as she arose from her de
votional attitude, "if you but knew that
mentioned your very name in my prayers,
YOU would be less Indifferent to mel
If breatheG short before, after this
my breath seemed TO desert me entirely,
and | verify thought that the beating OF
my heart would betray me. Belle, pure
AS an angel to me then, and white as a
snow fake, proceeded to turn off the gas
and to get into bed. felt her soft pres
sure over nv head, and shrank closer to
! the hard floor upon which was extended
What thoughts rushed through my brain
-. a