The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-04-15

ness in life to me without Tom. Mr.. Hib-
bard did ask me to marry him before he
left our house, but I told him l wasn't
half good enough for a ministers wife,
and besides that / didn't love him, though
| felt highly honored by his preference.
Mother and father were both very much
displeased with me, that should have de-
cided in this way, and both declared that
they thought me actually insane. 1t was
not every day that a girl got the chance
to marry a minister, and there wasn't an
other girl in town who would have stood
so in her own light. was sorry l could
not crafty them, but could never marry
any one but Tom he might marry Lucy
Shelby but | should remain single all my
life.
Summer wore drearily away, and l
heard nothing from Tom. Lucy Shelby
was visiting up in the country, his mother
had gone to stay with married sister in
Scarboro, SO no one knew when he was
coming home again.
As for me both longqd for and dread
ed his coming, for l believed that he was
already engaged to Lucy, and it would be
too late for any explanation. had not
given up my search for the ring, but ex-
plored the cornfeld every day until the
stalks were cut, and not only the cornfeld
but every inch of ground between it and
the house, but it was all of no avail, and
all hope of finding twas lost.
1t was late in October. The sky was
soft and hazy over the blue, blue sea. The
NAPLES in tho dooryard were red as blood,
the afternoons were warm and mellow, but
the evenings were frosty under the beau
tiful harvest NOON We had not harvested
such large crop Of corn for years, and
father declared that he would have an old
fashioned husking and invite all the young
people from far and near to Join in the
festivities. So great preparations were
made for the harvest supper. The great
barn was swept clean and adorned with
leaves and eyergreens, and hung with red
lanterns, and Jim Burrage, the fiddler
over at the Four Corners, was engaged to
play for the dancing. Father said it made
him feel young again to look forward to
such party, SO we worked with will
until the whole place had a holiday
brightness and the whole village was full
of excitement over the good time to be-
1t was as lovely an evening as ever hung
its silver moon over Plumfeld when the
great event came off at last, and certainly
the old barn was pretty scene, with its
rosy lights, dim shadows, and picturesque
crowd. Nearly all the girls wore bright
skirts or bright ribbons, and all the young
men wore flowers in their buttonholes.
But had no heart to enjoy it, and was
silently husking in corner, when some
late comers appeared, and among them to
my great surprise, Tom Babson Lucy
Shelby was with him, of course, looking
the very picture of complacency.
&c forgot to tell you that Tom had got
home, and invited him up, said father,
who was sitting near me.
Tom seemed in no haste to speak to me,
and certainly was in no haste to speak
to him as long as he was with Lucy. The
only vacant seat, after the others of the
party had been disposed Of however, hap
pened to be next to me, and he took it in
an embarrassed manner, as if he had rath-
er be anywhere else. We exchanged a
few commonplace words, and then he de-
voted himself to Lucy, who was on the
other side.
Great merriment prevailed. Red ears
were numerous, and the pleasant prospect
Of supper and dancing was just ahead; but
Tom was more quiet than was his wont,
and looked older and graver than when
saw him last, three months before.
"Good gracious there's something in-
side this husk besides kernels of corn
just feel that knob" he said, turning to
Lucy, handing her long, well-flled ear.
Perhaps its like one of the ears from
the corn6eld in the fairy story, where they
all contain gold"
Sure enough" said Lucy, "will you
give me whatever it is ?"
Can't promise, said Tom, laughin gly,
and he felt carefully inside Of the h usk
and procured the missing ringl
"Oh, Tom !" gasped, forgetting where
I was, forgetting everything in my delight
of seeing it once more. 81 lost it the
morning you gave it to me, in the corn
field it was little loose for my finger,
but 1 did not dream that it would come
off but how did it come inside of that
husk p
How indeed, said Tom, looking amaz-
ed, delighted, and perplexed at the same
time.
al felt inside Of ever SO many husks to
see IL there was any corn large enough for
dinner. The sweet corn was late, and we
had nothing to set before all those minis
ters. Do you suppose it could have slip
ped off into one of them, then p
That's it, said Tom, with an air of
conviction, " though it's mighty strange
thing, and no mistake"
Ruth" lowering his voice to whis-
per, should you have worn the ring that
night If you hadn't lost IL? Tell me
quick, cant wait moment longer"
:" Oh, Tom Of course | should" | re-
piled, brokenly
And have you changed your mind
1t will be poor sailing for me if you have
"No, Tom, only"
"Only what? I'm going to sail for
Liverpool next month, and must take you
with me-" We neither Of us thought or
cared If any one could hear.