The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-08-24

the other side of the hedge; but he die
not move. The hedge was between hin
and the loungers, and he did not care
Presently he heard two voices talking
| earnestly: Suddenly he started out of hi
stupefactioh, and he listened. Yes, he
positively listened Probably it was 9
disgraceful action; but he could not avoid
it-not for all the world! Oh, shame! he
| listened.
"But you have been cruel to me
cruelr said the voice of man. did
not know you were fiancee until after
love you too much, and tell you so. Why
did you not long ago tell me all the
truthy"
1t was wrong-oh, very, very wrong
pleaded a woman's plaintive tone. 1T
was wicked of me, but had not the
courage. l am very lonely. If you only
knew"
"You love him not. know it; you
would not marry him if you could. But
it is not too late, oh, Mees Violet!''
ooh, Charles ! Charles! for shamer'
in sweet, imploring tones). "Let go my
hand. 1t is too late;''
But you love him not''
"But we are engaged, and we were
brought up together and-oh no, Charles,
l never, never could break from my en-
gagement! Think of him-of Reginald
of what l owe to him, of his happiness.
No, Charles, must be the victim, will
suffer; but will never make Reginald i'm
hap z Fr.t,s ae,r ,>od n;,, ;, ~, or,
Reginald himself, bursting through the
hedge and confronting the astonished pair.
Don't blush or be alarmed, Violet, my
dear; and, D'Anglare, my boy, don't look
SO angry; but give us your hand. I know
it all, and III stand your friead-see if l
don't.
ooh, Reginald" plaintively MUIR
INJURED the blushing Violet, "what does
this mean"'
"Only that you are the dearest little
cousin any body ever had and that l
thought you were in love with me, and
I'm so glad you are not; for my dear
little Violet, love another, as the ro-
mances say, and have done so for years. B."
Poor little Violet hardly knew whether
she ought to be ashamed, or angry, or hap
py, or all together, for Reginald had been
80 terribly abrupt and overwhelming. But
the matter was easily settled when they
had all recovered themselves; and as there
must be an eclaircissement, they agreed
that in this case the frankest and quickest
way was the best for all parties The
Fletchers were promptly taken into full
confidence, and they soon managed to put
things right. Reginald and Alexandra
were allowed half an hours interview,
and their mutual explanations proved sat
isfactory.
Nothing is changed" said Poyntz to
Mr.. Fletcher; ''there's only to be one
marriage the more"
''Bless you, my children ~ said the host,
with smile.
"How happily everything has turned
out"' Mrs: Fletcher interpcsed with y
tear glittering in her eye; land what sad
game OF cross-purposes you were all near
playing"'
"What stuff some of these proverbs
are!" Reginald remarked, thong htfully,
to his host and hostess. "'Listeners never
hear any good of themselves for example.
My one little bit of eavesdropping brought
me the best thing l heard of myself in the
course of my life. l am the happiest
creature on earth"
Except Alexandria," said Mrs. Fetch
er.
"And Captain D'Anglare, said Mr..
Fletcher.
And Violet" said Mrs. Fletcher
again.
And so, as Jean Rtul Richter says,
finishing up a long sentence of quaint
meditation-and 50 halloo Justin Me-
Carthy, IN Ha'per's Weekly.