The Republican journal., 1874-07-23

the parlor and sit down and she will com'
in presently
Leaving his hat upon the rack in tho
hall, John did as he was bid; he sat down
upon the outer edge of the chair anl
awaited the young lady's coming, lI'
heard several suppressed giggles in the
adjoining room. and subdued suggestion
upon the part of Isreal that they had bes
not to act silly and foolish Then the dool
opened. and in sailed Miss Sophrony Ives
followed by Patience, Priscilla. Malvina
and Lucy Ives. each simultaneously smiling
/ possible They advanced one by one and
| gave John a greeting, after which they
arranged themselves in a graceful group
about him. then began the livelest con
vcrsation John had ever listened to. He
began to grow uneasy and to lose his self
possession This was rather more Miss
Ives than he had anticipated meeting,
At last 4 sudden idea occurred to him
"Girls.' he said. "do any Of YOU play
btnd 220nS bnf?''
The young ladies all suddenly giggled.
Sometimes, " said Miss Sophronv. with
4 sly glance Al her sisters.
"SuppoSe We have y game then" said
John earnestly.
Several handkerchief, were simnllanc-
ouSly produced, and beiosc John was
aware he was in midnight darkness.
But you must be blinded too. Lacy. .
said Miss Nalyina, lit always makes it
liFeller to have two. You know"
So Miss lMcy's sight was temporarily
ob>cmcd in the same manner that Johns
had been
Then the word ''rcady" was given, and
without n word Of warning Sophrony
Patience. Priscilla and Malvna noiselcSSlv
"lldcd from the room.
For awhile John and Lucy CROPPED nno-
Gently about them, each falling to find the
objects they sought: n last John spoke :
II say, where arr You all p he said
hepleS~Iy
No answer came I" hi, question from
those he was seeking
''John" said l.ncN. "l believe they re
all hiding.
JnSt n that moment the two approached
each other with their hands extended. and
they were each suddenly claSped in each
others arms This was a sensation 50
new To John that il almost deprived him
Of ariculatlon
believe they're luOlno us
She suddenly removed the bandage from
her eyes, and the next moment John felt
her dett little fingers mtying the knot in
the handkerchief that was bound about
his head
''look a here, John" she said in half
provoked sort of way, Just see what
trick they've played upon us. might
have Known what they We're mp To. Never
mind we'll have a real pleasant visit
now.
They ,at down side by side on the high
backed sofa, and Lucy talked so pleasantly
and encouragingly 10 John that he soon
felt perfectly at home lie was almost
astonished al his sen-possession. The
minutes heightened into hours, and. we'll.
he never could fully explain how il was
afterwards, but the tact was thai Lucy
promised him that she would be Mrs
John Jansen whenever he was ready to
claim her rs his own. and John Went home
that night very proud and happy, and on
the following morning he informed his
astonlshed father that any time that farm
was ready he would be ready to 90 to
housekeeping
Peter Jansen kept his word, and John
was often subsequently heard to say that
if it hadn't been ior that friendly game Of
blind mans buff he would hardly have
known how To have made a choice.