The Placer herald., 1871-12-30

leaning ON the chimney piece, asked me
laughingly when ! would come back and
prove that for myself"
81 will come," l said, quite cheerfully,
''in-let me see--in twenty years, perhaps"
"Oh nonsense, Max he cried in his
quick earnestness, laying one hand upon my
arm; "ypu will come for my weddng?"
"For your wedding ?" echoed as if the
words spoken so simply had bewildered me.
"Frank, does she really love you ?"
"Why, Max. old fellow, never saw you
30 nervous before. Are you otraid that l
am decciving myself--or that she is deceiv-
ing me? p
"No-never of that. You kaow she
loves you, Frank ?"
"Yes, Max, know it,"
''Then l will come-unless you marry
within ten years time
Franks whistle of establishment broke
into hearty laugh. ga nice little wa;ling
time you allow us, Max. We shall certainly
have time to think it we'll over"
eff you don't marry until then," ] went
on, laughing too, 81 will come If YOU do,
you must have your big brother represented,
and will come to you for holiday in ten
years time"
"Ten yearsr' mused Frank; "wbat a
weary time to look on to, unless one is al
ticipating happy future"
Day after day, until the last hour came,
had shrunk from bidding farewell to Let
tice. Then just went to her, as ! had
gone many time before, standing and chat
ting idly in the pretty room where we had
ofton been SO gay together.
eff Frank is to drive here for you in time
to catch the express, you allow us a very
short time indeed, said Mr.. OldGeld.
"And yet it is long goodbye" added
Lettice, iestingly; s'you are not coming home
for long time, are you, Max ?"
"Frank and have made an important
arrangement about that" answered, try
ing to jest too, because l fancied she would
understand what he had asked me TO do
Il am going TO stay ten years unless he
wants me. ''S
eff he does not want you, you prefer
staying out there?"
eyes. What prospect is there of any one
else wanting me p
81 suppose none," she answered, quietly,
Gas you say SO; but we shall be glad to see
you when you return. Not that you will
care for that either, for you care for nothing,
you know, except fortunizing your life. :"
Her words in their quiet, simple scorn,
stabbed me TO the heart.
"That is wide word, Lettice," | said, j.,
and word which even yet have not faith
omed. d"
"But you expect to do so in Melbourne ?"
| 81 hope so"
With an odd little laugh she changed the
subject, and very soon Frank drove up to
the gate. Mr.. Oldfeld and Amy went
out and stood by the dog cart, talking to
him, while followed more slowly Lettice
came with me, and stood minute under the
bare old lime tree, with the Winter sunshine
on her bright young face. And looking
down upon her-knew that this picture
would dwell in my heart through all my
lonely life.
Her jesing scorn was all gone now, only
her eyes were little puzzled and a LITTLE
sad
"You Will be quite happy, Max" she
said, fwish that happiness that makes others
happy too" =
| ''Tel me how, Leiice," cried. the
strong and passionate love of nv heart
trembling in my voice. :Tell me how to
win this happiness"
81 cannot" she answered softly 81 can
not teach you what you know so well"
"Lettce," l said, "my one dearest friend
this is the last moment. Give me some few
words of help to take with meas a sister
would have given them to me-"
Very softly, while her clear sweet eyes
looked bravely into mine, she whispered the
little verse which has Leen with me ever
since, and has helped me often, as her voice
could help me in those far off days.
';There is a Cross in every lot
| And an earnest need of prayer:
But lowly heart that leans on God,
Is happy everywhere"
From the gate / looked back wistfullv to
where she still stood under the Winter
branches, and she smiled one bright, quick
smile and ran in.
Then sat down beside Frank, and Amy
sprang up and gave me, with tear-fllcd eyes,
the only kiss among all my sad good-byes
Later on, in the frosty Winter morning
we two brothers who had been together all
| our lives, parted on the deck of the great
waiting vessel, with only few broken words
and one long, close, lingering hand grasp.
"The ten years are passing, and you must
keep your promise, Max, and come"
! read the words over and over again. 1t
was not yet ten, but over seven years since
had set foot in Melbourne, and in every let
ter Frank had sent me through those long
years had expected him to tell me what he
had told me at last. Yet now that it was
told, the lines seemed to swim before my
eyes, and my fingers would not write the
glad and congratulatory words | wished to
send him.
"Now that my reward is come" he wrote,
81 claim your promise. We only delay our
marriage for your arrival. Max, old fellow,