The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-11-25

BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY

along In their neat phDton, surrounded
by party OF friends, and June turned
away signing. and with difficulty keeping
hack the tears. But she dared not give
expression To her thought.
!'The Buswells are nothing to you, my
child-neyer can be, said Aunt Prudence,
when they chanced to he discoursing one
day upon the manner of her coming
"They did only what was proper under
the circumstances; just what your uncle
Nathan and l would have done but they
arc frivolous, fashionable people, and the
sooner you cease TO recognise them the
better"
juno thought with q smile. Of how un'
Gle Nathan would look and feel. hugging
and kissing n blooming girl like herself.
But the only gave another sigh. thought
OF what might have been, and answered.:
"They were very kind, aunt"
"Yes, know. and your uncle and
wrote them formal letter Of thanks.
That balanced the obligation"
1t was the last time the subject was
mentioned between them, and ut length
they passed each other rs almost stran.
gcrs. Not that Eva and her brother did
SO until they found it impossible to keep
up the acquaintance They reasoned cor.
rectly. that such state Of affairs was nc.
cOrding. not 10 the wishes of June, to
whom they had taken great fancy. cs-
pecialiy Fred.
"The devil take that old ogress Of an
amt" he muttered, rs he saw June pass
ing. looking even more lovely than on the
night of their first meeting. III wish that
something might happen so that l could
gain the entrce Of the house, .-..
He wouldn't have confessed even to
himself. that he had fallen in love with
tho girl at first sight. No nothing of the
kind. He only pitied her on account OF
her close confinement, when, like other
girls of her age and beauty. she ought to
have bcen enjoying life, rs bird does
sunshine and liberty to fit among the
flowers. But try rs he would to think OF
some plan Of visiting her. he could deter
mine upon nothing, and was about To give
up in despair, when an accident came to
his relief.
In returning home one evening from a
ride. he saw u crowd gathered in fr INT OF
his door. and upon inquiry was told that
an old man had fallen from stroke.
One glance revealed to him who the man
was, and he instantly ordered him to be
carried into the house, and dispatched his
sister for Prudence Griswald and her
niece. They came. Physicians were
called, but all In vain. Nathan Griswald
never reused from his sleep-was never
moved until he was taken t. his last
resting place.
Dark days followed. The blow was a
terrible one to his sister. He had been to
her rs husband, children, brother. every
thing. All her love was centred In him.
and she was completely prostrated.
Fred Buswell pitied her sufferings, and
did all that son could have done to re-
lieve them. He attended TO all her busi-
ness, would not listen to her leaving the
house until everything had been arranged
to her satisfaction and then no and Eva
accompanied her and June to n little cot
tage he had hired, and seen furnished for
her upon the banks Of tho river where
she had been born.
"You will not leave mep" said the old
lady, whose entire character had appeared
to have changed since the death of her
brother. 81 have not long to stay on
earth. and poor June, what will become
of her when am gone ?"
She glanced up quickly, saw the eyes of
those she had mentioned meet, understood
their meaning. and was satisfied. All
through the summer months she fingered.
tended by her atfcctionate niece, AMI
when the leaves began to fade and fall she
died.
During the few weeks Of her life. Eva
Buswell took up her abode Mt the cottage,
and checred June in the dark. trying
hours. And when ut last Aunt Prudence
found that she was dying, she looked from
the grave face Of Fred Buswcll To the weep
ing June and cndeavored 10 speak. but the
palsicd tongue refused to articulate a
word. Then she took June's hand and
placed it in that of her lover, who pressed
Il to his lips, and STOPPING breathed into
ner dull ear his thanks.
81 will tendcrly cherish and care for
her while l live" he said, wiping his
eyes.
Thus they were bctrothed in the solemn
presence of death, and when the days OF
mourning were passed-when the air was
freshest and sweetest, and the flowers
brightest-in that month for which she
was named. June. she became his wife.
They lived In the old Griswald man.
sion. remodclled and reiitted to suit the
times and their taste, and the happy
young wifa does not regret that she made
the embarrassing mistake that gained her
50 good husband.