The Republican journal., 1873-03-20

flowers intended for his own holiday Of
fering 10 Miss Julia Maybe
"Who is that damsel with the camelia?'
he inquired of his cousin, as they stood
chatting together after the first greetings
had been exchanged.
"That is my dearest friend, Ellie Brand
and she is lust as good as she is pretty
answered Madeline, warmly.
| elf | did not know my cousins geese
are all swans, my heart might be in some
danger, from that description" laughed
| Tom
81 wish thought it was soft enough to
be in any such danger" retorted Maddv,
''it would be the luckiest thing in the
world for you, But come and be intro
duccd to my paragon"
''Your friend shows excellent taste in
her ornaments" he remarked, as they
made their way toward her. "Nothng
could be more beautiful or more becom-
inc than these flowers
\ ''She has no dear cousin Tom to pro-
| vide her with bouquets" replied Maddv,
smiling up at him gratefully, "but she
| was so fortunate as to have valentine
this afternoon !" which words Ellie over
| hearing, as Madeline intended she should.
| ,
rs he made his bow, it was the first time
he had ever seen a porcelaintvpe which
| did not tlatter its subjects
| Ellie thought Mr.. Fletcher the hand
soonest and most agreeable man she had
ever met, and in the enjoyment of his
| society the hours seemed literally to tlv
away What that gentleman thought OF
| Ellie, his cousin, bv the briskest fire of
cross-questions, was unable to ascertain
| ll4 would not even admit that she was
| pretty, coolly inquiring after one of Made
| lines rapsodies. it she did not really think
| Miss Brands eyes had a slight cast. One
\ thing is certain he left the house at late
houl that night, an amused smile PLAYING
about his lips and very wilted se-bud
| in his hand, which circumstances seemed
to polnt to the fact of his having begged
and obtained the gift of one of his own
| flowers
| The lost picture was duly advertised,
but nothing was ever heard of it; and al
| though Mr. Fletcher came almost daily to
see his cousin and her friend, he did not
mention it. His visits, meantime, had be-
come very pleasant to Ellie. She did not
like to think how pleasant, for She had no
reason 10 imagine that Maddy's cousin had
ever thought of her except as Maddy'S
friend. Even Madly herself, anxious as
she had been about the meeting, could
but confess herself disappointed with the
! result, rs cousin Tom, though he came
constantly to the house, did so no more
than was usual when in town, and seem
ed quite as well satisfied to find her alone.
or even her mother, as when Ellie was
present. IN reality, however, this was
only in appearance, for cousin Tom was
more interested in the modest little maiden
than he was first willing to admit The
perfect simplicity and truth of her charac-
Ter displayed themselves in every change
OF her expressive face, and now he began
to think it would be by no means an easy
matter for him TO resign the long CHERISH
| ed picture, as he had always intended to
10 at her departure Already her visit
had been poronged n fortnight beyond its
first limit, and now the last day had come.
Ellie Brand was sitting alone in the little
morning-roo thinking of the happy visit
now spent-a visit so much happier than
at the time She had imagined possible.
She thought. too, of the long, lonely
Journey on the morrow, and the life Of
| toll and anxiety before her, and no won
der that the contrast between the comfort
She was leaving and the drudgerv to
which she was going forced itself upon
her. But more powerful than all were
the thoughts of Maddy's cousin Tom, who
for few weeks had made her life so
bright and to whom, after tomorrow she
would be only u passing memory.
~ am ashamed of you, Ellie Brand y
She thought at last, cts too ungrateful.
With so many kind friends, and the dear
est mother and sister in the would, it is
very wrong in you to be moping and fret
ting for q man whose very name you had
not heard two months ago"
Nevertheless the tears were standing in
her eyes, when the door opened, and the
object of her mcditations stood before her
"Maddv and Mrs. Fletcher are both
out she began, when she paused in as
tonlshmcnt, her eyes rivpted upon the
long lost picture, which he held in his
hand.
Eyes, Miss Brand, this is a case of con-
science" he began, seating himself at her
sidr. II am the guilty person who has
had this picture in possession lor so long
Il time, and have become so much at
tached To it, that | am reluctant TO part
with it. 1on and my flowers" At this
point Ellie flushed scarlet Cannot |
persuade You that this would be fair ex-
change J"
This picture is not mine ii is Maddy's,"
she replied, in a low voice, with her eyes
fixed upon the fire.
"Thcn, dear Ellie" said Tom, drawing
nearrr and taking her unrcsisting hand
"will You not give me the sweet little
original in exchange fora wedding
ring ?'
Half an hour later, when Maddy came
il from her shopping excursion, Ellie was
nowhere to be seen, and cousin Tom, with
grave face, requested five minutes private
conversation.
" You see, Madeline" he continued
when they were alone, II feel that it is
high time | was married, and--well, the
fact is, have been engaged for some time
past
'It is lucky | never put any notions in
to Ellie's head" thought his COUSIN with
some asperty. 'Wen, | congratulate
you at least on your good sense and
energy. | know you ought to be married,
but | always thought you would be too
lazy to do any eourting."
~ our good opinion was not wholly
nndeserved," he replied, stroking his
moustache, ''tor, the truth is, this matter
was rather thrust upon me in the first
place. You see the young lady sent me
her picture before ever saw her,
" wonder at you, Tom" cried his
cousin, Indignantly; Il would not have
believed you could enter into so foolish a
trick"
The worst of it is that now she de-
clares the picture is yours. and insists up
on my begging it from you" he continu-
ed, smiling mischievously, and holding
the disputed likeness before her face.
"Why didn't you tell me you had it ?
And the valentine, too Oh, tell me,
Tom, who was it for ?" and Maddy looked
up coaXingly.
$50 long as Ellie hasn't asked me that
question, You need not think l will crafty
your curiosity, Miss Eve" replied her
cousin; "and now tell me, what do you
think of the engagement ?"
Maddy gave him an enthusiastic hug.
"Oh, Tom, you are perfectly lovely !"
was her somewhat irrelevant reply.