Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-04-16

at WIN visit through time and eternity III
only 1t be the right answer at last!" he return
sd. And then he led me to a seat and some.
body lent me . vinagrette, and the people
asked what the matter was, and IL seemed so
ridiculous 10 be 70 overcome by an offer, that
didn't tell them. II had staid till the unmask-
ing, you know-well there, that's asubjunctive
case that II leave to your imagination. But
the truth wss, wanted TO get home and think.
aud did think, with q vengeance! thought
all day and all night. thought at church, at
table, sewing on buttons. l had never made
such an intellectual effort In my life"
Lucius came and went As usual, without ur-
ging 1t further, or appearing anxious about the
result Everybody seemed to be moving bo-
hind mist, through which John Jordan's face
shone out at times with an unutterabe pathos
in the questioning eyes. wondered II he
guessed at my dilemma. Al last went up to
my sister Sophronia's, at Haverhau, to finish
my thinking. When had been there three
days, up came John Jordan In his own carri-
age. Well, when Sophronia's husband came
home to dinner, while he was carving, said
he
srhat's great failure down at your place,
Jordan. Now had an idea that the Glovers
were made Of money
what do you mean !? said Sophy. .rhe
Glovers failed! Why they gave a ma squerade
party only the other day.
That seems to be the cue of people who are
tottering financially; they're determined to
make fgure,if only for the last time, laughed
Sophys husband.
They're pretty badly cut up by it, said John.
.Lucius looks ten years Older
'Lucius?' repeated Sophy's husband. He
used to be spark of your SISTERS, Sophy; didn't
he? But he's NO longer match, eh?'
Sopby shot quick look at me; John turned
his head away; Sophy's husband regarded his
plate. But as for me had done It'll thinking;
lal Ia hat
day and tell Lucius would marry him for bet
, ter or for worse! had given Lucius encour-
/ agemsnt, and If l refused him, he and all the
= world would think it was on account of the
failure, and, of all things can't bear to be sus
pected of meanness.
; To be sure was going to lose the very things
, for which had led him on; but deserved to; II
that was any comfort. Sophronia said every
, think she could think Of to make me stay aud
3, vowed it was out of the question. John said
If l was set upon it and nothing could persuade
: me, he would harness mp and take me home
;. 1t was tritie ungenerous, perhaps, to oblige
b one lover to carry me TO his rival; but ddn'
1 think of that, was 50 absorbed by my owl
sacrifices.
0 1t had been drilling tor about an hour wher
We started, but John had a covered sleigh ant
$ fast horse. You know how short Decembe
4 afternoons are, SO 1t was dark as q pocket be
fore We got into Haverham's woods, and i. hat
8 left oil drilling and smart rain storm had Sc
in, and no make believe, and Johns lanter
t gave as much light as a glow-worm. The raj
o road hadn't crept up as far as Haverham CeRtr
j. at that time, but 1t crossed the road half wa
W through Haverham woods, where you fine. NJ
70 hint of its approach, till it was thunderln
d down upon you, because the woods shut in tn
l prospect, and tue wind IN the pines deatene
you.
III Well, the horse went stumbling on throug
la q Of f,aat nd ha oil
| song ( the bells and the storm roaring throug
sy the woods must have rendered 1t impossible /
" hear anything; for while was wondering VII
e. would buy the old Glover mansirn, and II job
guessed why was hurrying home, aud whs
no should be married in, all at one there was
he fash and noise as If battery had been di
charged across our path, mingled with shou
rs and pandemonium of bewildered faces --aI
he then, oblivion.
They got us hons somehow; didn't kno
X anything about it, We had both been save
bys miracle, but the poor horse paid the del
Ily of nature.
I've learned u write, and sew with nv lei
pc hand since then, and l'm so used to my broke
nose that wonder sometimes why strange
id look 30 hard at ME; for you see, IN no long
tor q beauty. very different kind of sacrih
Ter had been required Of me from that which
ad had reckonsd upon. believed that all whc
all was necessary now was TO send Lucous woi
,nt tnat Couuu not lTlnk OF imposing Sucu Wr6
as myself upon him till death should part
ia But Christmas eve, as lay on the hair clot
1 lounge In the back parlor-for, in spite Of II
cir bandages and weakness, | would be in 4
by thick of the family gathering-iust before I
md lamps were lighted, John Jordan came
err and bent over me with a bouquet OF te
90 | roses.
X" AS kind as ever l murmured, putting Il
lite my right arm instinctiyey and hiding my tel
against the sofa-cushion,
ese I'm glad it was the right hand, said
lily; sitting down on hassock, because the we
RS. ding is lett; and slipped upon it the b
vas gest diamond ever saw. Look, it's like p
md rihed tear-a tear of joy.
5 ii 1T was my mothers, he continued. w
of you wear it, and answer the question | ask
you last month at the masquerade, sweet"
kod 'The question you asked me p / cried.
su- thought thought it was only Lucius,' 1 CT
lied fessed, hiding my face behind the tea-roses.
dir sand how, may ask, were you going to
ght swer Lucius =
Il was going to answer 'No.' Who wo
to want q wife like--like ine9
uld And | will not take sNo.' for an answ
was said he and the church bells rang in
,hn happiest Christmas eve Of somebody's life.