The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1877-11-30

sight, save when he turned his face
pitifully tn hers a. II longing to sec
the brigh,ncs. he could ieel all about
him. To me, the young girl was
frank and cheerful, evidently deeply
grateful for the little I had been able
10 do.
I'VE are going home." she said to
me, as she sat holding Ned's hand
against her cheek, land your landla.
dy can give me a room on the next
floor until we start, SO you may keep
your bachelor quarters undisturbcd.'
But We are not going home until
Isabel has seen something Of Europe
said Ned. "You may congratulate
US, Allen. Our uncle Is dead, and
he has left twenty-five thousand dol
lars apiece to Isabel and me, WITH"
and he made a wry face, with his
magnificent country seat"
when you return to America"
said Isabel, II hope you will pass q
summer with Us. We have a superb
pig sty, barn through whose holes in
the wall fine view Of the surround
ing scenery may always he obtained,
and a house that threatens to collapse
in every high wind. But we had
some happy times there, Ned?'
Him. You would find something
to chirp over il you were shut up in
the pig sty!" was the reply. So we
chatted gaily, and Isabel fitted about,
admiring my pictures, wiping away
more than one silent tear, as | pointed
out poor Ned's last efforts. until it was
time to separate for the night.
One week longer we fingered in
Paris. and then the Hopeton's having
determined to travel for year, ! dis
covered that my artistic studies re.
quired change Of scene. and we all lef.
the city together.
1t was the merest farce for me to
pretend that | was most necessary
third in the party, for Isabel, country
bred as she was, rapidly learned all
the travelling tricks, and it was sight
to behold the grim officials smile and
smooth the way for the pretty little
lady, and her blind companion. All
my money would not have secured
such ready courtesy as was freely ex.
tended to her on every side.
And day by day l learned new
lesson, the lesson Of love! had new
er known u mothers care since | was
little chi Id, and had neither sisters,
aunts, or cousins. 1t was strangely
pleasant to me to see how one gentle
woman could change every thought
of my heart, and | laid it, unresist-
ingly, at Isabel's feet.
| But | was too cunning to startle her
to try TO wrench her attention from
Ned in the first shock Of his Attic
tons. only studied to keep beside
her, and little by little to win a place,
where | coveted to hold it, in her az.
fections.
We had been fast friends for more
than year, when one morning we
stood IN Paris once more. and the next
steamer was to take the Hopetons
back to New York. Isabel was look.
ing over the time table for the next
train to Havre, when Ned said
"How shall ever get along with.
out you, Allen?"
A little cry drew my attention to
Isabel. Her face was white as ashes,
but in second she turned it away,
saying:
IL thought you were going to
New York, too
was close beside her in a moment.
"To New York-anywhere-ify you
will give me the right to remain al.
ways with you. l love you, Isabel.
The dearest happiness Of life will be
mine if | win my wife to-day"
"But Ned" she faltered.
"Ned begs you will not send away
his friend and brother!" cried Edward,
quickly.
And then the beautiful bright face,
all blushing, was turned towards mine,
and knew that my darling was won,
and that my friends sister would he
my own sweet wife.
Our voyage to New York was our
welding tour, and our lovely country.
seat is ON the site of the old home
where Ned and Isabel spent their
childhood.
We have dear old Ned ever with us
in the city, and in the country, for
blind as he is, he makes the sunshine
Of our home with his cheerful face,
and the ringing voice that came back
to him when Isabel crossed the ocean