The Republican journal., 1875-05-27

people made the most of it. Dave called
at our house, but was stiff and ceremoni-
Gus, and asked specially for Aunt Plenty.
| remembered how in summer his CON
slant plea had been, .'let's scoot. Ernie,
where Aunt Plenty can't see us.'' He
seemed to want her to see us now. At
last Dave went back, and we grew more
quiet in Hampton. The weather grew
very severe, and we had some furious
storms, furious even for Hampton. Aunt
Ilenty had a rheumatic fever. and then
there was Davie Altogether it was the
hardest winter had ever known Auntie
sad | was run down, and needed a tonic.
and began TO talk of the relative merits of
calisaya and wild cherry May came at
last 1t seemed to me that was never so
glad to see signs Of spring as | was that
year. | was glad even of house cleaning
ior that was a sign that summer was near
and soon Dave would come Again went
to scrnbbing and rubbing, and again
Went to the keeping-room chamber to
take up that much abused and beaten car
pet. took out the tacks, and as rolled
it up | caught sight of an envelope, no !
u letter, sealed and directed to me in
Dawes own, dear writing. read it over
once, twice, in a sort of daze, then look
ed at the date "Sept. g." almost nine
months ago! | sat down on the roll of
carpet, and cried like a baby on my calico
apron. No wonder, here was Il letter
from Davie, my own dear Davie, full of
love for unhappy little me. ''Ernie dear
SO the little letter read, II wanted to ak
YOU question, may ask it now? Darling,
can YOU ever love me we'll enough to be
my little wife ?" low had answered
him what could he think OF me ! Just
then, in came Aunt Plenty with, 'David
Earle IS coming home Tonight, you know
the Seniors have Il recess before COM
mencement." 1t had been raining all day,
but the sun broke out lust then and shone
IN through the low west window, and a
robin on the tall lilac bush outside, chirped
and trllleda little song half sad, half glad,
but in my heart the song was all glad |
said to Aunt Plenty as quietly as possible,
'Auntie do you remember bringing ne
letter when | was putting down this car
pet last fall? ?' Aunt looked blank she
wiped her glasses, and tried to think,
while told her where and how | found
the letter. Suddenly, it all came to her
with flash. She had brought the letter
up to me while was down stairs tussino
with Meta over those patterns and had
put it beside my hammer on the floor /
had smoothed the carpet ont when came
back and tackled il down over the letter
had wanted so very much. But Dave was
coming that night, and | would not let
pride spoil my happiness, SO | dispatched
Il little note, donned his favorite cherry
ribbons, and waited. had taken out his
picture, which had been banished in that
drearv winter, and again the handsome,
boyish face smiled down on me from its iyy-
wreath. On the piano ''Doon the Burn
was installed in its old place lIarb a
dear familiar step in the entry the door
swung open. and in walked David look
ing rather doubtful of his reception.
spoke quickly lest my courage fail, "Davie
this letter was lost. and never saw it till
to-day, will YOU take an answer now ?n
He appeared to think that was the an
SWer, ior he took me in his arms and
hugged me till | thought he would stran-
Gle me, the dear old bear, kEZ.