The Republican journal., 1876-10-05
nervous fever, and it was six weeks before

| was about again
Every one was most kind. Ur. Paine
kept me supplied with the finest fruit
and flowers, although Oscar said he NIGH
decorate his chestnut with them, who wa
found standing in front of his stable tn,
next morning, as quietly as it nothing
had happened, But what | valued most
was the exquisite bunch of tea-r0ses whicl
came, with Philip Rhysdale's card. ever,
morning
was petted to my hearts content; ant
when l came down stairs for the first time
it was quite gala-night
Violet dressed me in her favorite piul
crepe. with black lace trimmings; but
| insisted on wearing my tea-roses in IN,
curls, and in the lace ruflle | wore abou
my throat.
There was quite a number there, that
night The parlors were filled. Oscal
took up his station by my chair, to relieve
me from talking when got too tired, he
said
| felt the blood surge to my checks
when Philip Rhysdale came up, and took
my hand in his, to express his pleasure al
seeing me down again. 10 my surprise
he remained by my side the entire eve
H'i't-f Nti&''Iihs- liIdoolliN, W LuUUu Hlttk-
ing Il single caustic remark and | tolC
Violet, after he retired, that had no idea
he could be so entertaining
We We're going home the next week
Already our visit had been heightened tar
beyond what we had first intended, and
although Aunt Sophy tried to persuade
us. we decided we must 90.
Before left, | must return Mr. Rhys
dac's ring. | wanted Violet to do it, but
she refused, and was forced to give it to
| him myself
lon!y waited for an opportunity. Strange
to say, felt awkward about it. This man,
with his keen gray eyes, had strange
hold on me- was not myself when with
him. My eyes fell before his in the most
unaccountable manner. and had acquired
the most uncomfortable habit OF bIushng
when he spoke to me.
would feel glad when we were home.
| said to myself Then | wondered at the
dull pain at my heart. when thought OF
leaving. | was sure | must be getting
heart disease, Tor | had heard it COM
menced in that way; and | resolved to
consult our old family physician as soon
as reached home
sat thinking it all over, one afternoon
Oscar had driven Violet and Aunt Sophv
over to see a friend did not care to 60,
and would not allow them to stay with me
After they had left, took up book,
and went out on to the porch to read
But the book tell from my hand, and |
gazed idly out into the golden sunshine.
Watching the humming- birds fitting to
and fro among the flowers and wondered
where | would be another September
| Then | wondered what made me feel
so sad. | thought it must be the nervous
fever mad been suffering from; and then
| saw Philip Rhysdale's tall form coming
up the broad, graveled walk.
My first impulse was to run away But
| remembered the ring which was in my
pocket, and | took it out. and put it on
my finger. Then was furious with my
self, for letting him see me wear his RING
1t was too late to remove it, however; he
was already making his bow.
Alone, Miss Madge?' said he. seating
himself on one of the rustic chairs
Yes. The rest have gone driyng.'
replied. determined TO make the interview
| short
1t was the first time had seen him
alone since my escapade on horseback
and felt was getting terribly nervous.
Mentally apostrophizlng myself, sum
moned up all my courage, and handed
But all trace of the speech had pre-
pared left me, and | could only bumgic
out some inarticulat,. remark about hav-
ing kept his ring iungti than intgut!td.
He changed color. when he SAW The
ring, but he did not offer to take it
raised my eyes to his, wonlcrngly.
why not keep it, Madgey he said,
| suddenly.
Keep it !. replied. overwhelmed With
astoushment.
Yes. Or one in place OF it, bending
over me, and taking my hand in his
! Won't YOU? Can't you see that love
you Madge = better than life itself?
speaking very rapidly. Tell me-darlng
cannot you love me II little?
My bushes spoke for me, for my tongue
refused its office | did not resist when he
took me in his arms. and pressing his lips
to mine, said was the dearest girl in the
world
But never dreamed you cared for me,
| MIR Rhysdalr,' said, alter awhile, when
! gray eyes so near mine.
Say that over again, Miss Ninton,' said
Philip. with an amused look, meaningly
emphasizing my name.
said my lesson over, putting in the
| Philip in Il very faint tone. Alas. for my
pride, | was obedient enough, even to a
hint
Il loved YOU from the moment you Of
fered me your heart and hand, said Philip,
looking down smlllngly at me.
But YOU did not win then replied |,
mischicvously.
i think did carried you, trW hr Or
nil he. over hill and dale, that night, pre-
cious little thing said he; and The h!"mAe
moustache brushed my lips again.
confessed everything to him. How
aunt Sophy wanted me to marry him, anc
had said | would not have him il II,
were related to the Queen OF England
how had worn yellow dresses. and done
everything could think OF to annoy him
| leave the reader to imagine the Gif-
ferent emotions with which the family re-
ceived the news Of my engagement. Aun
Sophy. of course, was delighted She saiC
she always knew we were suited to eacl
other Violet said Il was alw, VS. the mos
incomprehensible girl living
The wedding came Oft ut Christmas.
have never had occasion, though year
have passed, to regret marrying my aver
sion.
WEALTH IS NOT HAPPINESS The tirs
great mistake which is made by most mei
is in making wealth the object of thei
lives But wealth. as we know. does moi
give happiness. Wealthy men do not be
cause of their wealth get happiness. The
Nanderbilts, the Stewarts and the Astors
have not been our happiest men. They
are not the typical men in the home the,
are not the typical men in social life (; they
are not the typical men in the delights o
life, or in the progression of learning
which perhaps yields the finest Joys mel
can know We can 60 down lower still
and find the men who have only one mil
) lion or so, or half million and they dc
not type the happiness Of American homes
Go into their houses. How splendid how
gorgeous, how gaudy they are, and ye
they cannot rival the little homes in the
love of husband and wife, in the reverence