The Lincoln County herald., 1871-12-14

"Ihank you, will think OF this
matter. You shall know OF my decision
before long" ...
"Amy, my child, come hero. Sit down.
| want to talk to you" said George Fos-
ter, the next morning after breakfast,
when he drew Amy into the library, and
teuderly seated her beside him. Amy,
l am going to be married, he said.
"Married2" she gasped turning very
pale
Eyes, little sister, married. Don't you
want your brother to marry? You surely
wish him the happiness Of other men
Otherwise, Amy, might grow sour,
cross and generally dissgreeable, as it is
said most Of old bachelors are"
mo, no; that could never be with
you," Amy said, in q voice which was
full of tears.
"Well, we'll, perhaps not. But one
had better be on the safe side, Amy.
You will 6x up the place, little girl, make
1t bright and pretty for my vito, will you
not?'
"Oh, ves, yes" whispered Amy, and
then sank weeping into her brothers
arms.
"There, there; see how lis Sisters
must always suffer in giving up their
brothers for others to love, think. Aud
perhaps you fear you may not be happy
with my wife, AmyY'
Only sob answered him.
REST assured, my child, | will bring
no one here who will in any way mcr
your happiness. My. wife will, | am
sure, bs acceptable to you. Only such a
one will bring here"
Amy went about making the place
beautiful. But her poor little heart was
very sad. Often she stole away, aud
wept long and bitterly. On one occa-
sion, when George returned home from
town much earlier than usual, he stepped
noiseessly into tho drawing room, und
found Amy, with her head buried in the
cushion Of the sofa, weeping as if her
heart would break.
lie let her weep IN until she grew
calmer, and when about to 60 aud talk to
her, and find out if possible, the cause of
her sorrow, he was arrested by hearing
her say
"Can she love him as l? No, no, l
an sure not, for others share her love.
She has friends, while give all to him.
No one else in this world love. Father.
mother, sister, brother, aye, more shan all
these is he to me. And only share his
love with her. After awhile it will grow
less and less, suppose"
George Foster stepped back; new
light had fallen upon him. He never
dreamed this timid gentle, quiet girl loved
him, or could love any one thus. Then
no knew what trial it would be 10 her
tho presence of any other woman pos
sessing his love.
How could he comfort hor? How
reconcile her to the woman he had se-
lected as his wfe2
lie waited on the piazza until she
came cut, q half hour after, and then,
drawing her arm through his, he walked
with her to the family graveyard, and
there, standing beside his mothers tomb,
he told why it was he had first decided to
take o wife. With great caution and
delicacy he told Of the Rector's visit.
$50 you see, my child, for your welfare
alone | determined to marry" he said.
"Your happiness was my first thought.
But, Amy, after I had picked out my
wife, and knew more Of her, l found
out how very much my own happiness
was concerned. The woman l have
grown to love is one am sure all will
love who know her. And now l feel
how terribly l should suffer if should
lose her."
Much more he SAID, until she grew
very calm and content. In his happiness
she would find hers. And SO she went
on with her work more cheerfully, max
ing things beautiful for Georges wife, as
ever doing his bidding. ...
"Trust me, and be at peace" he said.
: And so she did, and was. Much Of
Georges time was divided between the
liector's home, the widow Farfcld's and
Mrs. Archers.
Happy was little Mrs Charlton in the
0 thought Of her final success. Knowing
7 Adele, George must surely grow to love
? her. She told of her hopes TO the widow
! Fairfield, who smilngly congratulated
her friend, thinking all the time:
"Ob, if you knew how little Adele has
I reason for hopes and how often he comes
, to see me |"
, But the widow was little disconnected
the next morning, when visiting Mrs.
, Archer, to meet Mr.. Foster, aud hear
: from the exultant mother that he came
very often. Yet she could not decide
which Of her girls was the chosen one.
: Time passed on until . month had
elapsed, the maneuvering aunt, mamma
, and widow thinking that surely every
: coming Of Mr.. Foster must disclose the
t object Of his visits, when the Rector's
Q wife was very much astonished to hear
from her husband that George Foster was
to be married the next day; but to whom
8 be knew not, as the gentleman declared
bis intention Of keeping bis own counsel
, until the time Of the ceremony. So poor
Mrs. Charlton, although she could not