The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-12-17
RSET, Pa WEDNESDAYS DECEMBER II. 1878.


"reminiscences and stories and jokes
succeeded one another, while he was
obliged to laugh and answer and take
hopeless notes of the iire-light CLEANS
netted in the brown curls opposite,
the downcast eyes, the snowy hands
busy with the tassels Of a coquettish
silk apron, and the tiny slipper rest
ing on the hearth rug.
Periodical glances at the clock told
Ernest that it was halfpast eight,
then that it was nine. He formed
the second desperate resolve Of the
day and began to talk of his travels
He gave long and intensely prosy
account Of his life in Paris, using all
the French lie could think Of Mr..
Wentworth had never travelled, but
evincedpoliic attention, Ernest with
unGagging zeal, went on with Ger
many and Italy His host nodded
with waning interest. Ernest was
about to attempt Russia. when
snore delighted his ears.
The youg lady nervously resumed
her e0rn-popping, vainly trying to
hide a smile The fire was dying out.
Ernest FASTENED to assist her, seized
the tongues, and raised a heavy log /;
as be raised it, a brand fell ont upon
the hearth, and broke in pieces send
ms shower Of fiery sparks over the
pretty figure on the cricket. Each
uttered a suppressed exclamation.
Miss Wentworth shook her curls has
tily, and Ernest shook the little apron
and much beruliicd skirt lie shook
it SO vigorously that q letter dropt
out Of the pocket, and lay before him
address upward; bat he did not heed
the letter, for somehow he had mista-
ken the young lady's hand for her
apron, and still held it, though the
sparks were only black specks. He
was in the midst Of an incoherent but
earnest speech, saying something
about wanting the right to protect
her from all the troubles Oflife, as he
had protected her from those flying
sparks, when the letter caught his
eye. Miss Ella Wentworth, D..
Massachusetts," in David's bandwrit-
ing, Enthusiastically. That one glance
showed him also that it was n drop-
letter, and stamped September 2Gth.
Ernest hcsitated so noticcablv in
the middle Of his speech that his list
ner glanced at him in surprise. and
caught his glance at the letter. She
picked it up hastily, with rosy blush
and an exclamation that caused the
old gentleman's drowsy eyes to open
wide.
"Ahcm | believe he observed. /
with the extra dignity sleepy persons
often assume. 'that lost what vou
were last saying-abOut the Swiss 7
patoiS, wasn't it ~
Poor Ernest, 1t was hard to 81. 4
and hear the history of the old ger
tleman's last speculation after that
and many pleading glances were sent /
toward the flushed, downcast face OPP .
posite him. At last. at eleven. he
rose hopelessly to go He fingered, /
finding continually last words to say. z
ill the utter futility of delay discour- /
aged him into seeking the door; but
iere the old gentleman, suddenly ra-
liant with new thought, detained
aim.
Dear me why, Nell, / had almost
'orgotten what we spoke ola dinner
Mr.. Walch, we want you and your
'riend Whipple at Christmas-time,
you know. You must give us a few
lays Nell here is going to be mar
led about that time, and vou must
both come to the wedding without
all dare say" he added, struck
" the blankness Of Ernest's racc,
that you've never happened to hear
If it before Well, well, good news
s always welcome, isn't it? Now /
shall depend on you for week at
and don't forget to invite
rour friend. Goodnight, and good
uck TO you, my boy = and the hearty
followed him out upon
he doorstep to give final hand
hakc. II
\ half hour later, as David was
'acing his chamber fcverishly, his
Ioor opened, and drenched and
nuddy figure presented itself, and re-
marked, Historically, as it dropped a
oaked cloak on the floor.
"Well, old fellow, we've come out
ven again. Neither Of us won the
ace, neither won the wager, and
either has won the lady =