The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-09-25

in any way"
could see the scarlet rush into his face
even before he lighted the gas. Then he
turned to me with Joyous eyes; and lean
ing on the chimney piece, asked me laugh
ingly when would come back and prove
that for myself.
81 will come" said, quite, checrfully,
"in-let me see-in twenty years, per-
haps.n
'0h, nonsense, Max" he cried, in his
quick elrnestness unconsciously laying one
hand upon my arm; "you will come for
my wedding"
|For your wedding Z" | echoed, as il
the words spoken SO simply had bewildered
me. HFrank, does she really love youP
"why, Max, old fellow, never saw you
so nervous before. Are you afraid that |
am decpiying mysel(-or that she is deceiv-
ing met"
"Ho-never afraid OF that. You knor
she loves you, Frank2"
"Yes, Max, ! know it."
"Then | will come-unless you marry
within ten years. time"
Franks whistle of astOnishment broke
into hearty laugh. "a nice little wait.
ing time you allow US, Max. We shall
certainly have had leisure to think it well
oycr.n
All you don't marry until then,n went
on, laughin, too, ~ will come. lfyou do,
you must have your big brother repre.ent-
cd and | will come to you for holiday
in ten years time.n
"Ten years - muscd Frank "what n
weary time to look on to, unless one is
anticipating happy future"
Day after day, until the last hour came,
bad | shrunk from bidding farewell to Let
ticc. Then | just went to her, rs | had
gone many and many time before, stand
ing and chatting idly in the pretty room
where we had often been so gay together,
al Frank is to drive here for you in
time to catch the express, you allow us a
very short time indeed" said Mr.. Old
field.
"And yet it is a long goodbye" added
LCtticc, 1estingly; "you are not coming
home for a long, long time, are you, Max"
Frank and have made an important
arrangement about that" ! answered, try.
Ing to Jest too, becaise | fancied she would
understand what he had asked me to do
e. am going to stay ten years unless he
wants me-"
"Gf ho does not want you, you prefer
staying out there ~
"Yes. What prospect is there Of any
one else wanting mcln
"I suppose nOne,n she answered quietly,
"as you say so; but we shall b9 glad to
see you when you return. Not that you
will care for that either, for you care for
nothing, you know, except iortunizing your
life."
Her words, in their quiet, simple scorn,
stabbed me to the heart.
"rhat is wide word, Lettice," said,
"and word which even yet have not
lathomed.n
"But you expect to do so in Melbourne7"
al hope So"
With an odd little laugh she changed
the subject and very soon Frank drove up
to the gate. MIR. 0ldheld and Amy went
out and stood beside the dogcart, 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 jcsting scorn was all gone now !;
only her eyes were little puzzled, and a
little sad 0
"You will be quite happy, Ma. she
said, "with that happiness which makes
others happy too"
"Tell me how, Lettice," cried, the
strong and passionate love of my heart
trembling in my voice. "Tell me how to
win this happiness"
81 can not she answered, softly. |
can not teach you what you know so
Wells
"Letticc," | said, "my one dearest
friend, this Is the last moment. Give me
some few words Of help to take with me
as n 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 been ever with
me since, and has helped me often, as her
voice could help me in those lar.Oil days.
There is cross in every lot,
And an earnest need Of prayer:
But lowly heart that leans on God,
Is happy everywhere.
From the gate Hooked back wistfully 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 aud gave me, with tear-illled
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.
.s
THE ten years arc passing, and you
must keep your promise, Max, and come"
read the words over and over again.
II was not yet ten, but over seven years
since | had set foot in Melbourne, and in
every letter Frank had sent me through
those long years had expected him to tell
me what he had told Inc at last. Yet, now
that Il was told, the lines seemed 10 swim
before my eyes, and my fingers would not
write the glad and congratulatory words |
wished to send him.
"Now that my reward is Gomez he
wrote, al claim your promise. We only
delay our marriage for your arrival Max,
old fellow, you would have tclt happy for
me indeed, Il you had seen how willingly
Mr. OldflCld gave my darling to me.
had been a son to him for years, he said ;
| could hardly be nearer when was his
daughters husband. And now my cup Of