Smyrna times., 1869-09-29
the dreary years of his absence. But the feel
ing didn't last long

ing didn't last long.
FIt's natural enough L sure" reasoned
with myself, and only what l ought to ex- {
pect. She is as pretty as picture and now,
if Roy will only fall in love with her, can be
just as happy in their happiness as if there had
come to me the blessing of good man love.
So L persuaded myself; yet it was little
hard to feel myself shut outfrom all the beauty
and sweetness of a woman's natural lot. |
think [ never felt the bitterness of being an
old maid quite so acutely as did that night,
when Roydon had gone to the village inn, and
Edith lay sleeping on the pillow at my side,
| and the scent of the honeysuckles came watt
| ing in at every stir of the dewy night breeze
Well, he. came often to our house, and |
used to make all sorts of excuses to leave him
with Edith, while went up stairs to sit by my
self, and weave little threads of romance in and |
out of the meshes of my fancy knitting. How
happy she would be with him And how
much | should enjoy, ortry to enjoy, going to |
the old Grey homestead to see its dimpled mis- |
tress sitting under the balsam trees where l |
| had played as a child
| One day Roydon Grey came to me-for |
young Burnham had called, and was chatting
with Edith, and dare say Roy thought [
looked lonesome with my work in the paror.
"Penny," " said he, what do you think
am going to do?"
A dim idea that he was going to make me his
conGdante fitted across my mind.
II don't know" said smiling. "What is
it Roy?"
I'm going to refurnsh the old house. 1t
looks dim and dusky and old fashioned now,
and want it to be fresh and sunny and win
! some. Will you help me with your advice and
counsel?"
: Of course promised and for the next two
or three weeks we were as busy as bees.
} 1--WE mustn't let her know what we are
!; about ne said that night, with motion Of
, his head towards Edith
, "Oh, nc, to be sure not !" | answered, ut
would spoil the surprise"
, How pretty we did make the old place
Every room was like a casket, and ready to
receive jewel; the bright carpets glowed all
e over the floor; the windows were draped with
D softest and freshest muslin; while every vase
e and book case was arranged as l knew Edith
d would best like it.
# "Roy," said l, guardedly, the afternoon
that our work of transformation was complete
e and we stood congratulating one another on oul
e successful endeavorS-for up to this time haC
IF been very discreet, and asked no questions
"when will the queen of this enchanted realm
Id take possession of her fairy bowers? In othe
,e words and could not help laughing at hi
puzzled look" aohen shall you be married 2
le $50 you have guessed it, you demure littl
It creature -
""Yes, l have guessed it."
n "Well, what do you think would be an aus
d. picious time p
Let me see; this is July. Why don't 20
e- say the first of August2'
If The first of August be it then," he assem-
ad ed. " You are sure there is everything her
~ you can possibly think of?''
RS, Sc Yes, everything"
", Because" he went on, "when you com
th here to live"
RS, Gam Ito live here2" asked "But, Ro
e's perhaps she wouldn't like it,
ed '' Sheg Who is sheP'' he inquired.
"Why, Edith, to be sure ~
ent "What has Edith got to say, l should like
the knowP''' cried Roydon, laughing. My da
ling little Penny, if you are satisfied, the re
Gu what it pleases. Since you have promised
be my wife"
1 "fP' The little breakfast-room seemed
swim around me. "Stop, Roydon, for mi
ere ute, please II don't quite understand"
ave You said yourself the first of August.
But | thought it was Edith u
lit Edith, indeed a mere child-a scho'
irty girl, whose whole heart, moreover, is wrapp
up in Harry Burnhaml Why, Penny, whe
Roy have your eyes been ?'
, no Where indeed Could have been SO bli
lout all this tme-so resolutely, incorrigibly bin
but do you love me, Penny2 Don't look
Il other way will be answered u
had did love him. had loved him long 9
anne tenderly and told him so, not without blu
PEN ings and misgivings, however.
oed. "Oh, Pennyl' he whispered, holding /
ot to close to his heart 'if you knew the years
car years have been looking forward to this time
hap So was married-quiety, of course,
rela- with no bridesmaid but Edith but think
snug sun never shone on happier bride. An
ok live in the old place, end Edith is there W
lons- me but next week we are to have anot
and wedding, and my blue-eyed blossom goes Fl
It me me to Harry Burnham's care
poor, But, as said before, it all seems lik
:. dream and as | sit alone in my beautiful no
s the | almost fancy myself solitary old maid ag
slim, until Roydon's footstep In the hall anu
sun voice calling Tor his dear htte WlIe' rS
hite, me to a sense of my new life and my new
ID to piness. ,.,..,i 80.
beau And dare say l shall get used TO it a
awhile
days, ---.n