The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-10-14

~i' - ss5-,;s. ~. sssi. 'y-
clsves that che entered tho parlor t
look for some music she had left ther
and came upon them, the door beio
.jar and her light step on the soft Cal
pet uuheard.
80 then, her marriage with Fam
being settled" said the old man con
tinuing to spo.k without perceiving her
II an relieved from all perple1ity.
should have fixed to have made hin
my heir, but the dear girl for be-
mothers cake and her OVID lo,elines.
has 4 double claim on me. Now,
can, like Captain Cutie, settle it OF
them jointly" Uncle Woodleigt
laughed and rubbed bis hands in high
state Of satisfaction, while Esther stolt
out as quietly as she had come.
This decided it; she should be the
means of bringing Frank, the disinter.
ested lover Of her hopeless poverty
both wealth aud favor; and since, to
her great surprise, she vas the chosen
heiress of wealth, she would be able to
give rather than receive, as had always
been her bitter portion.
Elated with the magnanimity of her
position, all the temporary distraction
Of her mind vanished; and bcamine
with Joy she appeared at the tea-table
that evening With q gayety that delight
ed uncle Woodleigh, and almost capt..
vated Frank, who had hitherto regard
ed himself as rather a victim to his
own policy. ~. .
:. "shall I speak with you a while" !"
said the old gentleman, as they ad-
jouJned to the parlor, and Carrie be-
came absorbed in her stupid knitting.
Il was early yet in the evening". aod
neither Frank nor Tom had made their
appearance after their inevitable se-
gsrs. r
Esther was near the window, and
Mr.. Woodleigh drawing up an easy
chair in front Of her, nearly forced her
into it's recess.
$50 I shall be at a wedding before I
60 back 70 Cuba for the winter" he be-
gan abruptly. "Perhaps I shall be
able to persuade the bridal party to
visit that little town with me-"
Esther looked at him a moment in
surprise, aud then said, frankly:
"Oh, you mean Frank and me. Yes,
We are to be married, I believe, that is,
I suppose so," aud she paused thought
fully, remembering that he had shown
but little impatlence in gaining her
consent.
Uncle Woodleigh arched his eye
brows.
ooh, you suppose so,;'' he said !:
"well that is mild way Of expressing
it and is this union the choice. Of
your hearth"
Esther looked at him iuquiringly.
"Why, to be sure" she returned,
"if I had not liked Frank,
I could not have thought Of such a
thiog; aud besides, it is so entirely
suitable-his family don't object to me
1t all, though most families would, I'm
aflaid."
"Why :" asked he briefly.
ri shall be obliged to quote what
I've been in the habit Of hearing for
years, when I answer yoa. Most
young gentlemen expect something ad-
vautageous in a wife, family connec-
tions, wealth or extreme beauty. So,
a. I am merely a poor, lonely, simply
passable. good. looking girl, I am rather
he'd at my good fortune in gcttipg
an offer"
"Unph," said uncle Woodleigh, aud
that was all he said.
That night as Carrie and Esther re-
tired from the parlor together, Frank
followed thcm,- and OBTAINING Esther
till his sister had ascended the stairs
and passed out Of sight, be asked her,
smilingly:
"When Am I to hear that weigbty
decision, Essie ?"
"Now, as we'll as any other time,"
she answered II might have said yes
At once, only distrust myself at times,
because I know how impulsive I am"
"It is yes, thsn," he said, still smil-
ing, II am to look on myself as accept
cd, Am II"
She came down from the step she
had mounted before he had spoken to
her, and laying her hand on his arm,
fixed her b. full dark eyes very seriously
on hi, fae,. .
ut is I whom you will have to
aeoept-1 Who am 80 full Of faults and
imperfections, 50 way~.rd and thought
le.s, that I may serely try your kind.
ness and patience; but I have hidden
no failing from you, and you take me
for what I am, no nor. ; with my own
assurance that I shall strive sincerely
to do my faithful duty to you always"
She v.s so quietly earnest, that not
having the same spirit in his own feel
iugs, be felt it difficult to reply, and
bit his smiling lips once or twice in the
effort. J.,
"You make me very happy by your
he said, At length, ~ have