The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-04-30

one. hate 1n1Ormcu me tudJ bue VIA
thing was tricky, for when out of sight
of uncle and The farm she could go like
sixty" -
lowing to your wand" laughed
Bella. . ....
Doubtless" said I, while Kate gave
me pinch and kiss. n..
How quiet that Saturday evening
came down upon us. H
The doors were thrown wide open
and the house was filed with the sweet
clover-scented air. l.H OH H.7-
The girls had gone down to the brook.
and in the twilight stiffness and hush,
caught its faint gurgling, like the
sound of some half-forgotten melody.
looked down upon myself the
girls had persuaded me to &C try on my
new dress" it was their gift and FASH
ioning, so of course I could not refuse,
though it seemed that the coming Sab
bath would have done as we'll.
"Jennie," said uncle, "you look as
you did when you first came to us, only
the pain has gone out of your face. I
believe it has done you good living
here with u.s." .t a- ..H.
Kate came up with hop and skip
she looked at me keenly. "Of what
are you thinking, Jennie, dear? How
becoming your blue ribbons are! If
you had only worn blue that day in.
stead of pink! What treacherous
friend that woman was And to think
she took him away from you! Do you
forgive her, Jennie ?" r.r. .-. -
"I have tried to, Kate, but how can
1? Twas his wealth and position she
wanted, while I-oh! 1 loved him so
much.
Kate had drawn me out into the
! starry night. "Look out, dear, or
you'll be SHINING again" Bella came
up upon the walk and together we saun-
tered down to the gate. r ,...
Had I done well, to speak of these
things to the girls 49,. ... ..
Wouldn't they misunderstood me,
after all Had [ done more harm than
good, and shouldn't I have all the old
battles to fight over again with myself
and my ideas of right?
"I WONDER" said Kate, " if the best
things in my life are the best in other
! peoples lives.
"Of course, it should be doing ones
duty, everybody understands that, after
which we may be eclectic, ] suppose. l
was going to ask Jennie-but here
comes some one up the hill-do you
think we are to have caller? Has the
fame of our wonderful powers gone
forth to the world of Chesterham
Didn't / tell you, Bella, everything
wore an expectant look here tonight ?"
The girls stepped back, and itseemed
to me was left alone in the universe
with that approaching figure.
"Can you tell me where can find
Jennie Randall ?" .
I know not if 7 answered. I don't
think there was time, before I was
close folded in those strong arms and
bearded lips took possession of mine.
When l found breath and thought
for speech, tried to free myself as 1
whispered : "But your wife have
no right to your caresses. She stole
them from me-"
"Hush," said he; "she is resting
under the sod, and I bear from her to
you the confession she gave me. She
sinned, and she repented. Let us for
give her as we hope to be forgiven"
How long we stayed there, cannot
tell, but when we entered the house,
uncle and aunt had gone to their room.
The candles fickered on the mantel,
and as the girls came forward to meet
me [ came down from the seventh
heaven to the realities of life.
/ stumbled over the introduction, but
was put still more aback by seeing them
acknowledge it by embraces which
seemed ardent for strangers.
When we were once more alone, 1
said, by way of explanation "The
girls have read some of the past chap
ters in my life, and must have guessed
who my visitor is, or they never would
have given you such reception. L am
sure, however, they never heard your
name until this evening""
He brought the candles and looked
me over. L dreaded to have him see
how old and careworn had become,
but he assured me the only sign gave
of my added years was in the failure of
my sight; that must be growing dim,
or I wouldn't call him, with his gray
hairs, "handsomer than ever"
In the morning-oh, that glorious
Sabbath morningl How the sunshine
filed my room when 1 awoke Did /
kneel to pray? I'm not sure. We offer
prayer when we have something to ask
for.
My heart was full, wanting nothing.
Every breath must have been praise,
for in that hour l forgot the past, and
had no thought of the future. The
present held all perfection to me.
wondered at myself as L looked in
the glass. Surely" said /, "it is the
glory from my soul, touching up all my
countenance, for this is not the face I
have looked at all these years"
I went into the parlor, but l doubted
my own senses at the tableaux beheld.
There was George Vanhess, in uncle's s
arm chair beside him stood Bella,
with one arm round his neck and the
other hand perfectly at home among
those whiskers, which should have
claimed as my especial property. Kate
was perched upon his lap, and was
talking in very rapid and animated
manner. ..- -...
They all enjoyed my surprise, and
George said, as he shook them off
"Queer training, Jennie, you must
have given these girls, to have them so
pronounced in their admiration OF
me-" .' -
looked from one to another; what
does it mean ?" sG Hl U.I -h.-
"Just this" said Kate, "that have
stretched my wand over you all. Will
the audience be seated while l ex-
plain? .I.g J.--..l "a l.--
"In the first place, Jennie, behold
in your old-time lover and afianced
husband-I hope am not anticipating