Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-04-13
Misfe1IaueaMs.
Toms April Fool Trick.
ny NATIE
BY MATTE,

Sis. when is the 6rst of April ? asked
Tom White looking up from the game
be was playing.
Next Saturday, believe answered
Emma.
Saturday +? Good ! 1 bet I'll have some
fun = and tossing his game aside, went
whistllDg out of the room.
Emma quietly arose and picked the
pieces up. placed them in their box. then
closed the door which Tom had lef,
open.
That horrid boy EN-, why don't you
ca Il him back and make him do these
things himself?' asked her sister who sat
watching her.
oh, boys will be boys you know
besides, he didn't give me a chance, an
swered Emma.
You are jns. like mother remarked
Cornelia. always bumonng and excusing
Tom he knows he can't expect it from
me. IT'S good thing for his comfort
that you are the Oldest, and it seems to
me you have grown older since mother
has been gone
Emma smiled.
Maybe you would. too, Ccrnie, if you
had the care have now
i dare say. You are dear little sis
ter, and will have good husband some
day, even if it isn't Richard Wilson, Esq.
The bushes which this name called up,
proved tina. Miss Emma was not insensi-
BILE to its power.
Richard Wilson was o young man
whom they had known all their lives.
and who, few mouths before had said
some very tender things to Emma, which
frightened that young lady very much.
aud she begged him never to repeat them
for she never, never could think of mar.
rying him.
why net. Emma 2 ask the disconso-
late Dick. I'm sure you must have mis-
taken your own feelings-if you will par
don me for saying it. Is it not so?'
Blu. Emma tea. fully shook her little
head
Do you love any one else ?
oh. mono! Dick. l like you better
than any gentleman l know, but | do not
love you enough to be your wife.
The innocent face was very rosy as it
stanfmered forth its verdict
Dick was in despair. He was almost
sure that Emma loved him, out he didn't
dare tell her SO. or it might make the
matter worse. Rapidly ho recalled the
past, their constant meetings, the joy in
Emma's face whenever be appeared, her
apparent confidence in him, and pleasure
10 his society. Now the words he had
said distressed her so exceedingly, what
could account for it T? She must have loved
another. unknown even to herself.
.Emm a'-he began, once more.
oh, please, Richard, she interrupted.
and the tears which had been silently
gathering. rolled down her cheeks.
There, there, darling-I won't annoy
you
And, hesi:ating an instant, he stopped
over and kissed her forehead, and was
gone.
Emma sunk sobbing on the sofa, and
burrying her face in its cushion. gave
way to the nervo usness which this little
episode had called forth.
An episode-and one not to be forgot
ten by either Dick or Emma. They
we're destined to see each other almost
daily. and be denied the pleasant com
partnership they had enjoyed as long as
they could remember.
OF course, the other members Of TIE
family could not Help seeing this changed
state of affairs, aud Mrs. White at,emp-
ted to solve it.
Gradually she learned the truth from
Emma, and sorry was she to hear it.
Dick had always been such favorite
with them. that bis growing attachment
to Emma had been very gratifying to her
parents, and they did not doubt but that
she returned his affection.
Here was strange turn of affairs
. My daughter. said Mrs. White, ARE
you sure you do not or cannot return
Richards love p
'Oh. yes. yes, mother I do love him,
but not enough to marry him. I want
to stay with you and father always, and
have everything go on in the old way.
wish Dick had never spoken. and then
nothing would have happened now every
body is unhappy over it!'
The poor girl burst into tears, and her
tender mother sold no more, but soothed
her head sympathinfngly.
Never miad, my dear may be you
will Sud acme one yet yod'oan Ike better,
and hope Dick win live to get s'good
affesiienate wife.
These words causea fresh torrent Of
teaSt. How oeatd her mother speak &C
i;ghsly 7sShs knew, il she didn't have
Dick. thst be would newer hava pnl ont