The Republican journal., 1875-03-04

develop, and he sometimes talked about
packing up his duds" and going to sea-
for Ned had a way Of talking whatever
came into his mind-he began to receive
better clothes, and occasionally little pres
ents, and spare half-days, till his lot really
in comparison became quite enviabe
Lu had always been kind to him, out OF
the kindness of her heart, and many a
favor had she taken pains to bestow upon
him, because she pitied his forlorn condi-
ton. Generally at the table she could
manage to procure for him nicer piece
t of meat or some little delicacy which had
never been intended for him, and this she
delighted to do, even though he soon
l came to look upon such favors as a mat
ter of course, and to scold and groWl if
they were not bestowed
Yet, after all. Ned did not mean to be
ungratetul, and as he could think of no
other way of repaying LUIS kindness, he
had grown up into a conviction that he
must marry her at some time in the un-
known future. Dreadful as such thought
must have been to her, could she have
brought herself for a single moment to its
realization, and annoying as was Ned's
constant reference to the purpose Of his
heart, it had become his mental meat and
drink-the inspiration of his lite. No
more he talked of the sea; no more of
shouldering his Turk" Even his nature
bowed to the sway Of love, and in the
presence of La only was he happy or con-
tented.
Naturally enough the Lelet soon gained
ground that Ned did not speak unadvis-
edly, and that some arrangements had
been made by which Lu was actually to
become his wife. Naturally enough, the
girls uncle and aunt came in for more Of
blame than they deserved
''It's Just like them,n said one boarder
to another, standing at a little distance
and looking upon Lu, busy behind the
counter, while Ned, near by. was feasting
his weird eyes upon her; LUIS indspen-
sable to them, and Ned is treasure, in
his way. Get the two married and they
are bound to stay, as long as they can rem
der any seryicen
81 hope you are wrong" the other re-
turned, "for don't like to think anybody
can be that mean. 1t would be down
right shame to marry such good, faith
full, kind-hearted thing as Lu to that born
idiot. I'd kich the man who'd do such u
| thing, if there were no other way to pun
ish him
1t was Homer Halkness who SAID this,
and shortly atterward he passed through
the salesroom, which was deserted save
| by Ned. Mr.. darkness was young busi-
ness man of the city, very comfortably
situated in life, and having for several
years taken his meals there, he was on
| quite friendly terms with the feeble mind
ed youth"
Ned" he asked. bending over the coun-
ter half contidentially, "you are going to
invite me to the wedding, | suppose" ?"
"What-me and La ?n
Yes"
Yes. going to invite all the boarders.N
the tool said in a very busness-like man
| ner.
'When will it probably take place,
Ned?"
| "Darned if knoW-Lu won't say Say,
Lu'-the door had opened to admit her
at that moment-'When be we goin' to
get married? This gentleman wants to
know ?"
Lu looked up at Mr.. Uarkness, for it
was getting dusk in the sales-room. and
the gas had not been lighted. A moment
her lip quivered and then tears sprang to
her eyes
SO down stairs, Ned" she replied,
mo, he don't either You've got to
tell me. now" and the poor youth sprang
| forward with sort of frenzy but at that
moment the sharp tones Of his master
sounded his name so emphatically that he
at once turned and went blundering away
down the stairs.
Lu was 50 evidently panied by the oc
currence, that the young man, sef-ac-
| tp nnY ~ Of
out an apology,
"Indeed, you are not to blame" she
said, quickly, smiling through her tears
l am foolish to have his talk annoy me;
but II can't help it, | don't blame the
poor fellow much, but | can't stand it; at
least feel as though | couldn't, though |
don't know how | can help myself"
81 will tell you how you can put stop
to his nonsense
-"Will you? Then tell me"
"Marry men
LUIS lip trembled as she cast q furtiye
glance up into the young mans face, and
her whole soul thrilled as she caught the
magnetic lovebeam Of his eyes.
'.What do you mean? ?" she demanded,
''Just what | say, Lu. | admire you;
love YOU ! have long wanted to tell you
so, and to ask YOU this. Now what say
you-will you be mine"
What could she say? She knew Mr.
IIarkness too we'll to suppose for q mo-
ment that he was tlitling with her; but it
seemed impossible TO realize that the man
she most revered OF all in her limited Cir
Gle of acquaintance had really asked her
to become his wife Why did his request
touch so deep a chord in her soul? Was
it because it was the answer OF an aspira-
ton she had not dared acknowledge. much
less to cherish? Before she could com
mand herself to frame an answer, a dull
football sounded upon the stairs.
Let me 60; uncle is coming" And She
tried to withdraw her hand
"Quick, then; yes OF no y
81 guess so,n and with skip she bolnd-
ed into the dining room to hide the joy
flush which would mantle her cheeks with
a stranger glow.
Homer Hardness did not allow the mat
ter to rest long in that state. Satisfactory
terms We're arranged with the uncle and
aunt, and il was decided that marriage
should take place at the good old New
England anniversary y-Thanksgiving.
Early IN the evening the ceremony was
very quietly performed, and the happy
husband started with his bride for flying
visit to the home of his parents in a neigh
boring town Ned had been given holi-
day tor twentytour hours, which he was
passing with a relative in another portion
of the city; SO that an unusual sense OF
quiet, almost amounting to desertion. set
tied over the usually bustling establish
ment of the Towners.
But at midnight the quiet was rudely
broken, and the neighborhood rang with
sharp cries of 'Fire!" A detective llue
IN the bakery had caused the misfortune )
the flames leaped rapidly from room to
room of the old wooden building so that
when the fire department reached the
scene they found the fire bursting out
from basement to attic.
Just as the firemen commenced opera
tions, Ned dashed upon the scene, breath
less and excited. lie saw the dense smoke