North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-01-02

"Oh, sir, should be so thankfulv'
allow late you are Frank! Here, give
me your overcoat--it is all powdered with
saow, and"
But Frank interrupted lis bustling,
cherry-cheeked mother, as she stood on
tip-toe to take off his outer wrappings.
"Hush mother! there is a young lady
down stairs"
"a young lady, Frank?"
ayes 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 wouldn't
refuse her corner here until she could
find something to do"
Mrs. Evans went to the door and called
cheerily out
"Come up stairs, my dear--your wei.
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. Evan humble dwelling 1t seems
just as though she had taken our dead
Blanche's place" said the cozy little widow;
and she is useful about the house. l
don't knowhow managed without her."
"Now Minnie you are not in earnest
about leaving Us tomorrow
Il must, dear Mrs. Evans. Only think
i have been here two months to-mor
row and the situation as governess is We
ry advantageous"
"Very well shall tell Frank how very
obstinate you are"
Dearest Mrs. Evans, please DON'T
Please keep my secret"
"What secret is it that is to be so re-
ligiously kept % asked Mr.. Frank Evans,
coolly walking into the midst of the dis
cussion, with his dark hair tossed about by
the wind, aud his hazel brown eyes spark
ling archIy.
"Secrvt" repeated Mrs. Evans, ener-
getically wiping her dim spectacle glasses.
why Minnie is determined to leave us
tomorrow
Minnie -
"I must, Frank. have no right further
to tresspsss on your kindness.
mo right, eh? Minnie, do yon know
that the house has been different house
since you came into it.: Do you suppose
we want to lose 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 determinedly,
"Then you must be made to stay" said
Frank. I've missed something of great
value lately and | hereby arrest you on
suspicion of the theftr'
missed someth,ngw Minnie rose, turn
ed red and white. ''Oh, Frank, you never
can suspect me!'
"But | do suspect you. In fact am
quite sure the article is in your possession" I"
"The article"
"My heart, Miss Minnie! Now look here;
] love you, Minnie Harlan, and l will be
good and true husband to you. Stay, be
my little wife ~
So Minnie Harlan, instead of going out
as governess, according to the programme
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 calmly
about his business in the wire cage, under
the circlet of gas-light.
"Evans!'
Frank, with his pen behind his ear as Of
yore, quietly obeyed the behest of the grey
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 haired gentleman here in
terposed with eager qnickness:
Where is she? am her Uncle Wal.
ter Harrington | have just returned
from Paris when her arrival reached me
| want her; she is the onl ly living relative
left mel ~
"Ah! but, sir,'' said Frank, "you can't
have her."
"Can't have her? What do you mean !!
elias anything happened I"
Yes, sir, something has happened: Miss
Harlan was married to me this morning."
Walter Harrington started.
axe llc W uCiS AZ AO0ioClfs
can't be parted from my only relative for
a mere whim
81 wonder if he calls the marriage ser
vice and wedding ring mere whims," tho't
honest Frank but he obeyed in silence.
"Minnie," said the man in faltering &C
cents "you will come to me and be the
daughter of my old age . / am rich, Min
ME. and YOU are all have in the world"
But Minnie stole her hand through her
husbands arm.
Dearest uncle, he was kind to me when
was most desolate and alone. cannot
leave my husband, uncle Walter-l love
him
"Then you must both Of you come and be
my children" said the old man, doggedly.
"And you must come now, for the great
house is lonely as q tomb"
Frank Evans is no longer an express