The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-09-05

torn into shreds, and held to the draught
of the stove, to be whirled in and disap-
pear At last, with gesture Of impa-
thence, she said /; can't write anything to
suit me. What would you say, Alice -
II must first know what you are trying
to write about, said, smiling at the per-
picked face.
"Why, am trying to write some April
fool letters it will be such fun she said,
laughing. 81 have four to write and the
other girls are writing some too; but l
can't get mine right"
"And no WONDER" said mother, "for
neither your subject nor object is right,
but very wrong. Now take your mothers
advice, my child, and put your writing
away and devote your time to some no.
bier purpose"
"Well, guess I will, mother, for letter
writing don't seem to be my forte any
way" and with . sigh of contentment she
pushed the writing materials from her in
a confused mass, end began attentively
studying the fire. At last, looking up
suddenly, she said:
Alice, did you eyer jilt Frank Ashby 2"
"What ever put that into your head?"
[ said, trying to speak without betray ing
any emotion.
ooh, Gus Shaw told me to-day. you iilt-
ed him for Henry Werner, and that was
the reason he went away. She said you
thought it best to be off with the old love
before you was on with the new" But
Henry Werner went away too, and [ am
glad Of 1t, for he never paid me that phil
opena he owed me, the mean thing"
"Lu," said mother gently, 81 am sorry
to hear you apply such terms to any one.
Always endeavor to speak as kindly as
possible Of the absent. And now, daugh-
ter. bring in the lamp"
And evidently forgetting her questions
had not been answered, she lief: the room,
to do our mothers bidding.
Sitting in the fre-lit room, and think
ing of the idle words that Lu had told me,
I caught the echo of a football on the walk
| needed no tone of voice, or presence, to
tell me who it was. My heart throbbed
wildly, and grasping mother by the hand,
I cried go Quickly, mother, before LII
brings in the lamp! -
She gave my hand a loving pressure,
which told ne she understood my feel
ings, and hastily left the room. 1t seemed
but minute ere she returned, saying:
"Alice, where are you. Here is Frank,
come to see us. [ will find you chair,
Frank, Lu will be in with the lamp in a
minute" she said, speaking rapidly, to
give me time TO recover my composure.
| felt his hand tremble as | took it in
mine, but his voice had the old ring
as he said:
"Alice, am very glad to see you; or
shall De-" he added, with a laugh, when
the light comes"
Lu entering at that moment, felt his
eyes search my face. Then turning to my
mother, he said:
81 find time has made many changes in
my absence, Mrs Wilbur. Here Is Lu,
whom left pet and plaything, grown
so l should not have known her, but for
her resemblance to Alice. But she recog-
nized me in moment, which shaws | am
not entirely forgotten"
We were passing the evening pleasant
~, recalling old "reminiscences ana asking
and answering questions, when Eddie
Ra'ston knocked at the door and said
"Please Mrs. Wilbur, mother thinks sis
ter Effie is worse, and wants to know il
you will please to come over a minute"
eyes, Eddie, tell your mother l will
come, she said, rising
LET me go mother: you are not able
[ said, earnestly.
NO." she said, gently but firmly; "get
me my oYershoes and double shawl. and
shall take no harm. Frank, hope yor
will remain till I return; [ shall not bt
long" ".I
"Thank you Mrs. Wilbur" he said
opening the door for her. IL shall be a
happy to stay as you are pleased to have
me-"
There was an embarrassing silence fo
few moments after my mothers depart
urc, and then we drifted into converse
| ton on different topics,I leading the way
at random to avoid any pause that nigh
ensue At length rising and taking m
hand in his, he said with evident emotion
"Alice, I can endure this suspense d
longer; are you free and why did you no
answer my letter."
The worst was over, and gatheriD
strength from his embarrassment, frank
Nv told him ALL
"Frank," / said, "I should have al
swered your last letter, had | know
where to address you, but when week
passed, and could gain no clue, waite
| in the hope that you would retarn HON
and would tell you how had misjudge
y you, and ask your forgiveness"
) at is granted on one condition, Alic
: but it has been weary waiting. TIE
me. Alice, all you would have said Ia
you written me that letter." he proceede
think my reply was satisfactory, +
the time seemed very short until moth
8turned, when Frank asked her for y
s. md, and a place in her heart as one
I children, a r.,,-.ff : ,5..tas is. y
ne You can have both Frank" she a
,we. 80 - ,ra ~ T.,