Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-05-20

much notice Of In those other years-the
picture has beansvery dear to me latter
ly," she parenthetically added, with a
| just perceptible tremor in her voice
when suddenly was impressed with
the idea that I was to meet some one at
the station. The notion occurred to me
at once rs so ridiculous that laughed
outright But it wouldn't be laughed
down, and finally l started, and-here l
am" ,e
/ then told her how l had just returned
from Europe, and was on my way to find
my mother and sister, when was almost
impelled from the cars.
"And you were going right by without
stopping to see usy"
hesitated, not knowing the nature of
the ground l was treading on, and not
caring to make misstep
+" Fred and would both have been so
disappointed if you had"
| "Ah is Fred here?" asked, making
an effort to appear at ease, though sue.
ceeding badly, ] am afraid.
"Why, of course. He is here ell the
| time, now, except tor few months in the
| winter"
My heart leaped into my throat in very
agony, and for a moment | dared not
| trust myself to speak We had in the
| meantime been walking slowly down in.
to the valley, and suddenly door of
house close by the wayside swung open,
and flood of light rested upon my COM
panion. All, the caprices of fashion!
How its edicts drift around in circles
| and turn up Unexpectedly! OF course
the ruff was not so pronounce, nor the roll
| ing folds to the dress, gathering in
| mass back of the neck, so angular and so
stiff as represented in the Elizabethan
portrait; but there she was in the dress,
with notifications, in which she had
made the final assault upon my heart and
won it" unknowingly, heedlessly,' /
said to myself.
Didn't you know ofFred's marriage?"
she asked, after the awkward pause in
which my mind had been so busy
mot to certainty ] conjectured as
much. You are very happy, sup
pose"
Eyes, as the world goes, Fred is the
dearest and best fellow in the world.
How long since you have seen himg 1t
is long time, isn't it?'
"Three years. He was seated where
l met you just now the night of my re-
turn home, and after you went over the
mountains so much after the French
leave manner"
"Oh, was such silly chit then"
And think you have grown wiser
now?"
Maybe not. Nor happier; this world
is for growth, not happiness after all
Growth is the object, happiness the re-
suit; not the reverse, as people generally
suppose"
land Fred has grown in art as well
as in domestic way?'
"Oh, yes. He is quite the rage in GER
tam circles. But you know all about
that, probably"
mo. l have been so immersed in
business in Europe that have absolute
ly not heard of or from him since--let
me see: no, not since he wrote, just after
my return from here, to tell me of his
engagement with you"
Observation-Disclosures draw
ing sharp breath at the enunciation of
each word. Gle was never engaged to
mel Did he write SO to your"
He implied as much Ii remember
rightly, however, there was a chance for
a contrary result"
He fancied at one time he was in love
with me, and l don't know but con-
sidered himself engaged. but it only
lasted few weeks. He went to Europe,
he said, to die of broken heart; but
came back last fall and married my
cousin, and"
-are-not-married"
did not hear her reply, only saw her
shake her head in the rapidly gathering
dusk, and clasped my arm around her as
had done three summers before. But
she did not withdraw from my embrace
this time, in ever so gentle manner; and
when | asked her if she would be my
lily-o f-thevalley the answer she gave
shone over my soul as the departing sun
light had over the anchor shaped cloud,
and the reflected radiance illuminated
my whole being .-Appletons Journal