The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-09-15


little of her, and was not at all attracted
by her. She, on her part, was by no
means charmed with her friends brother,
She thought him rather dull and unin-
teresting young man, too self absorbed
and inGolent to be agreeable, and, after
the first day or two, took little notice of
him in any way.
One evening-it was Sunday, and so
the family were alonc-Mr. and Mrs
Hardy sat reading by the parlOr fire; Julia
and her friend, on sofa in the corner,
were talking in low tones; while Lau-
renee, in a small, unlighted room, was sit
ting by the window dreamily watching
the stars. Old Mr.. Hardy laid aside his
book and turned to Miss Morris
ada, my love, are you not intend
ing to give US our Sunday evening
musicf"
Certainly, my dear sir, If you wish it.
am glad you do, for | always play to
papa on Sunday evenings, and it seems
like home"
She rose and went to the piano. Lsu-
renee, who had not lost his passion for
music, listened curiOusly. He had not
seen enough of the guest to be aware that
she played. But he soon saw that her
quiet, devotional airs she played were
well chosen. 1t was very pleasant, peace
ful music and Laurence, sitting there I'M
seen, listened with kind of enjoyment
that WAS new to him. Al the end of half
an hour Miss Morris rose from the instru-
ment.
"Pray, do not 60 yet, my dear child"
said the old gentleman. "Sing me some
thing first"
She reseated herself, and her fingers
wandered lightly over the keys for mo
ment, rs if of their own accord At length
they struck the notes of p familiar tune,
and in ga instant she began to sing:
"Time grows OF old with length of years. etc.
at the third line she was joined by a
fine, full tenor, coming from the dimly-
lighted room behind her. She started at
the sound, and turned to listen, but she
sang on. About the middle of the third
verse Laurence Hardy emerged from the
shelter of the inner room, and stood lean
ing against the doorway, still carrying his
part Of the tune, and looking attentiyely
at Miss Morris, who, with her head turned
over her shoulder, was looking at him.
The song came 10 a dead stop as the two
singers, as if by q common impulse, came
hastily forward. They met halfway, the
gentleman clasping warmly the extended
hand of the lady. Both spoke at once.
And was it really your" she added
while he exclaimed, Three times and out !
l knew it could not fail"
The rest is quickly told. When two
young people pass at one step from in
difference to intimacy, it does not take
them long to become lovers. The course
of their true-lOve ran as smooth as heart
could desire, and their wedding took place
in the following June. When it was
over, the happy pair departed on their
bridal tour to-where, think you? MOI
to Paris, St. Petersburg, nor even to
Newport or Long Branch No. Those
two romantic simpletOns started for Yer
mont, and one Saturday afternoon, just rs
the sun was setting, they drove quietly
| into the little village of Benton, where
Bunce's Tavern received them under
its hospitaDle shelter
The next morning was sweet, dewy
and fresh az that other June morning oul
| young friends remembered SO well. Moth
| ing about the place was changed. The
same, or what seemed the same, mild
faced cows came, with their tinkling bells
under the windows; the same hens
cackled in the farm yard, and the same
birds sang in the orchard. The little
cracked bell rang for service from the
queer tower of the old church, and the
same people went by in, l verify believe
the selfsame Sunday clothes TO meeting
Our travellers went to meeting too; i
was what they had come for. Deacon
Goldthwaite, with many mods, showed
them 10 the Bunce pew-only now they
sat, not in opposite corners, but closely
side by side. The only change they saw
WAS the happy one Of their relation t
each other.
The preacher dToned out the lesson o
the morning, and announced the hymn
Deacon Goldthwaite pitched the tune,
and once more, standing side by side an(
holding the sane book, Laurence anC
Ada joined their voices with the rest o
the congregation. OF all tunes in tn,
world, il was Hebron" that they sang
The words were not MontgOmery's, blu
the more familiar ones of DR.. Watts; ant
any one who had been looking at our tw,
friends might have seen the brown eye
and the gray seek each other quickly, an,
with very peculiar expression, at th
singing Of the first line
| Thus far the Lord hath led me on"
| - IY1SDer's V,flIY