The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-07-26

persons we have here every day-quite
the lady, sir and she's up stairs with
my wife, l really hadn't the face to ask
her to come down here
And the clerk gave his head a little
jerk towards the assemblage that lined
the walls. Walk up stairs, sir, if you
please-first door to the right
And Mr.. Carl Wicklow walked up
stairs accordingly, and tapped at the
indicated door.
Come in.'
There was something in the soft ring
of the clear voice that made Carl's heart
throb alittle strangely. Heopened the
door and went in.
Itwas a small, low-ceiled room, with
red curtains and glaring red carpet
and stiff plaster-of- paris ornaments on
the wooden mantel-a vulgar looking,
dreary little room, without one home
association within its four blank walls,
And beside the ash-choked fire, with
her fair head inclined thoughtfully
downward, sat solitary woman dress
ed in deep black, relieved only by the
FURNISHED gold of one stray curl that
had escaped from its net and lay over
her shoulder.
She arose as he entered, and Carl
Wicklow stood face to face with his
first love and his last-Lucy Taylor.
She had been very pale at first; but
as she met his earnest, astonished gaze,
the crimson rushed over her whole face
in bright billow of carmine, and then
she bent her head.
'Lucyn
You are astOnished, Mr. Wicklow
scarcely more so, however, than | am.
Did you require the services of a chill
dren'S nurse? You see it was necessary
for me to earn my own living; my ed
ucation was hardly thorough enough to
enable me to take situation as govern
ess, and [ am not sufficiently healthy
to sew steadily, / will do my best if you
will kindly employ me-
In all the bloom and freshness of her
earliest youth Lucy had never looked so
lovely in Carl Wicklow's eyes asshe did
at this moment, with her pretty head
dropping, like lily crushed down by
summer showers, and meek patience
in her eyes. He stood there gravely
watching her with a strong purpose
slowly maturing in his mind.
Most people fancy am not strong
enough she said in subdued accents;
but indeed / am; and if your wife
i have no wife, Lucy.
She blushed like whole flower gar
den of roses.
Il beg your pardon-you are widow
er?
Nor that either, Lucy. wasspeak-
ing only of my sisters children
DO you think / should suit her?'
Il think you won't suit her. No
A chill shadow of disappointment
came on the meek, pale face. Carl
Wicklow took Lucy's hand in his.
My dearest, l think you are deter
mined not to understand me. Mary
Ryan down stairs will do very well for
my sisters children, for want to en-
gage y0u for lifen
'Carlv
'Yes-you may look astonished, but
Pm in earnest! Isn't it as easy to take
care of one crusty old bachelor as half
a-dozen children p
The arch shadow Of one of the old
smiles began to dimple Lucy's lips
her hand trembled little in Carl's.
4 thought you had forgotten me long
ago, CARL
Did you? Come
'Where?'
TO be marriedr
And Carl Wicklow-who never did
things like any body else went to the
nearest church and married Lucy Tay-
lorr
We'll, Carl, what luck?' demanded
Mrs. Theodore Wicklow, as her broth
er-in-law came in at night.
First rate! I've found you nurse
maid. She's down stairs in the hall
with bundle as big as herself and two
band-boxes-Mary Ryan by name
Didn't you find the young person
from the country
'Yes-I found her, but the truth is,
I've married her, and she's now at the
i C-HOtelp
Mrs. Theodore Wicklow opened her
black eyes prodigiously wide, and Carl
told the whole story.
You'll call on her, won't you dear p
yes of course, Mr.. Carl. How odd
you are.'
Am I? Well, perhaps so. One thing,
however, Pm certain Of-and that is
that Pm very happyn
A STRANGE CAsE.-In Clinton, Hi
nOiC q VOunU woman over two wears