Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1872-12-18
and kin when Aunt Esther died, hut

l was not nearly so dolefully as I
ought to have been. had very little
money. but I had youth aud hope,
and there was-thc doctor. Kate
Purdy had been helping me to set
the house in order after the dreadful
hustle that follows the vanishing of q
familiar face.
AT nightfall she had left ME alone
for an hour or two; it was then, as
Kate and had tacitly supposed,
reading it one another's eyes, that
my doctor" came to see me.
"Im afraid you're going to be very
lonely here" he said, after the first
greetings were over.
but l shall not be here: am
going TO live with the Purdys.'
Are You quite sure tler want
you:'
They say So"
"Doubtle.s they feel in that way
now, but their hearts are warmed by
the sight of your affection. You had
far better come home to me.
lie held out his arms with ges
ture that bcied the calmness Of hi.
word, but would not see it.
How can l be sure that you want
mc"'
''Do l not say it,"
"1e es, and so do the Purdys. l,
may be that Your heart is warmed by
my loneliness"
What is the use of fencing, whcl
love you and YOU love me:"
GLOW do you know that?'
because you have been so careful
not to show even decent regard fol
he. If you had not loved me, yol
would have been more cordial.
90! wiser than Solomon" | said
but saw his arms again put out to III
at that moment, and forgot wha
O'Clock it was until Hates opcnin;
the hall door made me draw AVA,
from my DOCTOR"
Kate made lively talk for few
minutes, but had little response frsr
her audience.
"My dear turtle doves" she said n
last, laying one hand OIL mine an
looking hard at my friend, 81 see ho,
it is with you. You have reached
point where two are company, an
three are crowd"
NO, we have passed it," said tn
doctor.
"And Esther is going to MARI
you:'
"You have said it,"
"Then wish you joy with all IN
heart. BY the way, did you brin
the engagement ring with ysu?"
"Of course not"
"You need not look SO iratc. Som
men are So certain of their happines
that they buy the ring beforehand
Why don't YOU use this one tina
c&me to Esther out of the gate post:
said Kate, drawing from her tingc
The sapphire ring which she wore.
sit would be n bad omcn,' l sale
shrinking away from it; land suppos
some one should clam it after allp
81 did not think Of that. but 20
. could have another made like i
Nothing could be better for all el
gagcment ring"
IF DR.. Gilmore likes il, Il am sure
have no objection" said at last, fU
there was tinge of romance i
giving the ring a happy ending afte
being spurned by its first owner.
DIR. Gilmore did like, and put it 0
my finger before Kate went of, wit
some good advice about not sittiu
up late, which met the fate of mo.
advice. l crept into her bed in Il
: I've sma' hours ayont the twal," all
she woke instantly.
This is II good example to set b.
fore young and innocent maides,
she remarked.
"Oh, Kate" l said in the usu;
gushing fashion, II am SO happy
, cant believe it."
| "Oh, well, can. Nobody com'
to bed at this time % night unle
something awful has happcncd.'
81 wonder he did not fall in 10,
with you, Kate"
80 do I, but some men have 1
, taste, YOU know. They arc to |
pitied, not blamed. Besides, as
have said before, he is too aged f,
, me. He'll be centurion whe
you're in your prime"
Kate refused to taIk all night, as
would gladly have had her, and
did catch an hour or two Of slee
full of happy dreams.
was nearly alone in the W world al
there was no earthly reason for Il
, laying the marriage except for We
ding garments.