Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-09
THREE YEARS INA HOUSE OF RE-
FORMATION.
BY MRS. SARAH n. DURGo.
CoNTINUED.

ooNTISUED.
They had finished their shopping and
were ready to start for home. Ada walked
briskly ca and foun nd Wild Fowsr in the care
of the Dor. He led him up 20 . step to aid !
her in sa,ning her saddle. Ada put her
hand in her poke, aud took out half dollar,
handing 10 TO the boy and said, "there take
that Charcoal, and ran of and buy Q pocket
hand kerchief for yourself aud see that you
use it. Ny pony don'I like to be put under
guard ofa boy with an unclean countensncs."
She rode of atA brisk cantsr, and as she
passed the cottage of Miss Mills, she saw
her among the vines trailing them 10 a
trellis. Ada rode mp to the gate and Miss
Mills came forward 70 open IL. She declined
the invitation 10 stay and dine, but promised
50 spend the next day with her which
promise she kept. She spen, very pleas
ant day there, aud exsoied q promise from
Unole John 10 call and see her home. He
went much earlier than was expected, and
after Q few inmates Conversation respecting
the sickness and death of her mother, he
enquired if she we're not very lonely. She
looked calmly at him, aud replied, "you
have been our friend in sickness and death.
You know something OF the sutferings Of
dear mother. You know also Of her tri
umph over death and the grave. You had
the best possible opportunity to Judge OF
my affection for my poor, suffering mother,
and TO say that l am lonely does not half
cypress my feelings. Bat with the help OF
our Heavenly Father, will not sit down
and repins. Her suferings we're more ter
rible 10 me than the calm repose of death.
There Is now no company for me in the
house, except JAkey and Disah, and they
are old and dull. Bat they are faithful
servants, and | will never break up their
home.n Uncle John looked embarrassed,
and after pause Of fsW minutes replied,
"yOur remarks are very just, but have
made up my mind to-to-to get, ito get
married. said Ada, jumping into the mid
die Of the room "Yes, Ada, that is it, and
what Was about to say TO you, is have
determined to offer you my house and home,
my heart and hand for good or for al, for
time aud eternity, and il God shall add his
blessing, | hope We may be happy il you
shall give your consent You are aware
that once loved With all the fervency Of
nv Young affections. You will not expect
nv first love, but trust you will find in me
q devoted husband should my proposition
meet your approval. / leave the subject
with you for your consideration, and shall
await your reply with some impotence
Miss Mills looked perplexed. II was to her
like q clap OF thundsr from q cloudless sky.
lie had been TO them faithful pastor. He
had visited her mother in her last sickness,
and prayed freq asniy aud pstheEicAlly with
her he WAS present when she had been
borne 70 the gate Of death and given in
charge Of the angels. he had wepi with
4 = - far no
consolation OF the gospel to sustain her in
the hour Of dsSolAtion and sorr w. She
knew she was grateful for kindness and
sympathy Of this she had no doobt, but
could that respeci,-Almost re yerence-ever
become . tsnderer or holier fselingP She
was puzzled at the thought aud determined
20 look into the score, reoesses Of her heart,
and strive TO Judge wisely. Tea vas an
uouuced aud Uncle John took his seat ct
the table 10 q sort Of rsverie. Ada was in a
humouour mood After silence of few
minutes, Ada looked at Uncle John, then at
Miss Mills and said, "now won't i, be rich
TO see you two billing and oooing like two
tgrtle doves, when you ought to know your
own preferences and express them right out
sluSreiJ?' "You are quite right, Ada, re-
Piled Miss Mills, and have no hesitation
10 saying that my respect is greater for your
Uuols than any other, and | see no obstacle
IN the way Of our union "Good, good !
dear Miss Mills said Ada al love you
for your noble sentiment Unole John
came on, mAnfully 10 his proposition, and
you have responds1 in 4 sensible way. !
love you both You aoi wisely" So
soon a. tea was over, Ada kissed them and
went out the gate to 20 home. They both
urged her TO stop longer. She replied, 81
an too happy TO stop here.
want 20 20 up TO see the sun
set on The hills, aud then 1t Is
not quite right TO have . chit Of . girl like
me listening 10 your love making Il would
spoil me and away she ran. So soon as
she arrived home, she went TO Grandma s
room add putung her arms around her
neck aud kissing her, said. You know
the men say a woman cannot keep secret
and l think there may be some truth IN IT,
and am su-s there is some uutrnih IN II
TOO. There are some secrets that should
not be keps, and have one here, tpointiaR
20 her head that will not keep, because II
VIII mako you happy 10 know what II Is; u
will make your dear, kind heart leap Tor
10y. so here you have il. Uncle John u
going TO get married" ado you think 80 2
enuulrsd the old lady. eyes | know il,
know IL, said Ada, dancing around 'h'
room. 81 heard the PROPOSE and the &C
csptance. You will not say told you, bu
be is 40 happy he cannot keep u to himself
aud will be sure to tell you tomorrow
"And pray, Ada" enquned GrsndmA, -
whom ia be engaged p "Miss Mills, aud
she not q dear, good woman ?" "lndee
she is, and your Uncle has chosen Wisely
and you have made me happy by tellin
me- Ads took up the family Bible
read the evening lesson TO Grandma, an
wAa seated on q stool nj her feet readinI
when . gentle rap on the door was heAr'
Grandma babe the visitor come in, an
Unole John entered, taking . seat an
said TO Ada nov proceed With your reAt
ing.r When she had finished, she sal
"uuole John will you pray with Grandm
to-nisht?n he went close to her chair an
offered o most fervent prayer IN which
prayed that q blessing might attend II
step he vas about 10 take, and that 1t migt
be AAnoti6ed 10 the temporal and spiritu
good Of all concerned. When he had close
his prayer he said 81 suppose dear mo,he
Ada has told you that am engaged
Miss Mills Before Grandma could repl
Ads Jumped into his lap, and said. ~
/ did tell Grandmn, aud you ought not !
trust me with . secret that will NAL
Grandma happy. Ifyou do ! will out vii
il, for every ray Of sunshine that l shed
her dear heart reflects itself back TO me
hundred fold" "You are quite RICH. Ada
replied Uncle John, land now mother ms
i crave your blessing and appreciation
"You nave both my son" replied Grandm
'And more. think you are doing no
what you ought to have done years az
The solitary life you have led, has near
turned you into u misanthrope, and inssei
Of seeing the world il its beauty you hA'
seen only clouds and darkness. You ha'
chosen wisely and have no doubt you "
both be very happy" Uncle John h'
lust informed his brother and wife Of
engagement, and they urged him to lose I
time In the contamination Of the nuptiAl
He informed them that the only dels