The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-09-30

ing acquaintance while waiting for the
meal. All at once, as if suddenly i'm
pressed with the idea, Mrs Symington
looked curiously in BRIDES face
" beg pardon-but are you not Miss
Lorne? l am sure you must be the young
lady my son speaks of so often"
There was something so kind and
| genial in the air that Birdie did not re-
sent it.
Your son? l certainly am Miss
Lorne; but you have the advantage of
me.n
I" am Cleve Symington's mother, dear
| There, forgive me- but you see know all
about it. am so thankful to have met
you, quite providentially."
Birdie blushed now-as much in sur
prise as anything else; and involuntarily
glanced at the plain, questionable at
| tire
"You understand? We have been as
unfortunate as yourself, Miss Lornc.
Everything is gone and Cleve goes out
actually goes out every day"
\ little exclamation of amaze met her
vague remarks, and Birdie never stopped
to wonder where everything was gone"
every day" for exercise, pleasure and to
earn his living. Only the impression re-
ccived by her was just the one Mrs. Sym
ington intended to convey.
Poor fellow. Isis he well ?"
"Oh yes, perfectly we'll, and as brave
as a lion; only-forgive me, dear-only
hopelessly cast down on your account. l
am his mother, and to you, the only girl
he ever loved, l say-he loves you with
an affection that will never abate."
Brides cheeks glowed brighter and
roster, her eyes full of happy smiles.
"And love him, dear Mrs. Symington
I did then, only somehow l couldn't
say so.'
"You do? you are sure you do? Then
tell me to tell him, won't you, or, better
yet, come home with me, and tell him
yourself? He may be in, or not, won't
say; but if he is
Birdie blushed violently, then lifted her
frank eyes. 81 will ask him if he thinks
l am worthy. Come, dear Mrs. Syming-
ton"
with happy, grateful tears in her eyes,
while Mrs. Symington brought pencil and
paper, with a curious twitch of her mouth
that meant smiles or tears-either or both.
Gle must have stayed over noon, dear,
but you just write what you please, and
leave it He will be so happy when he
gets it He'll come to see you at once, l
know. Don't forget your address"
so Birdie poured out her whole heart,
completely conquered now, and sealed the
letter to Cleve Symington. Then she kissed
the mother.
"I am so thankful we met so strangely,
and am so glad you live in this poor,
plain little place. love you better for it,
know. And when my bills are all paid
for the music l teach, al the end of the
quarter, why-why, if Cleve will want me
so soon we'll get pleasanter rooms and
we'll be so happy
"My darling, you don't regret marrying
a poor man and having to live in a suit of
rooms? Look up, Birdie, and tell me, lit
tie wife"
She looked merrily up in his eyes, the
wife of six hours, as the two sat in the
sunny little room after they had been mar
ricd, and where Birdie had lived since the
shares failed her
"Sorry? Oh, Clcve, when think how
thankful | am, and how nobly you have
endured your sudden loss of property, and
how happy we will be-why, where has
mother gomez"
Cleve laughed as he drew her head TO
his shoulders and smoothed her hair.
Il am inclined to be jealous of mother,
who, l think, has gone to the-gone back
home to prepare homely little dinner
| for U.S."
"Let us go now, dear. Don't scold be-
cause l ordered a carriage, will you
Mrs. Estler paid me in full this morn
| ing"
Cleve bit his lip to hide laugh; then
gravely escorted his bride down to the
single horse vehicle in waiting. Theman
knew his route, and dashed off rapidly,
| stopping only when he reached the curb
in front of large house. Cleve looked at
Birdie in astonishment She laughed nerv-
ously, and then began to cry.
"You are not angry, dear? didn't
know until month ago that it was all
right l only lost few thousands after all
Cleve, for your sake and mothers am so
happy"
He kissed her almost solemnly as they
sat in the little carriage.
"My own true, unselfish little dar-
lingn
They entered, found a delicious little
dinner in readiness, and no one to mar the
sweetness of the surprise.
Late in the evening, toward ten O'Clock,
Birdie rang for her wraps.
"Mother will be awaiting for US. Come,
Clevc, let's go after her and bring heI
here, home"
So they drove off through so many streets
that Birdie wondered where in the world
they were going to.
Darling" Cleve said, abruptly, :" shall
l confess Shall l tell you l have sur
prise for you equal to your own? Look
out!"
She looked out as the carriage stopped
at the Symington mansion. An awning
was stretched from the door to the car
riage-mount and a velvet carpet was
spead for her feet The joyous music OF
the band, the fitting of the elegantly.
dressed ladies past the windows-it
| rushed over her like flood. Cleve had
been masquerading for very love of her.
"You forgive me?"
He looked at her with his splendid eyes
| all alight.
"Oh, Cleve, how could help it? How
you must have loved mer'
He escorted her in proudly; and Mrs
| Symington, in velvet and diamond, met
them at the entrance.
Birdie-daughterr'
And all went merry as a marriage bell
From the report Of the American Bap'
tist Missionary Union, just issued, it ap
pears that the missions of the Union have
in all 1876 missionaries, 557 native preach
ers, 405 churches and "a, ,703 members
The receipts of the Union have more than
doubled during twenty-five years, and the
| total amount for 1S74,75 WAS x241 go