The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-07-21

all the time known what had brought
him to Wearemouth; ending by accept
ing his love, and by assuring him of
mine.
The next question was, how to ensure
his receiving the note. But the girl who
came to take away the tea things. gave
me the opportunity.
Following her outside the door, put
my note on tray, and whispered that
Mr.. Sloane was going to the city to NOR
row, and it was important he should re-
ceive Auntie's commissions tonight.
The girl promised, and, in pleased
sort of fear for what | had done. | re-
turned to our chamber.
Auntie seemed to sleep, and | sat, all
through that dusky twilight, looking out
upon the sea.
Auntle was better next morning, and
| felt more tranquil. Had | been OBJ
liged to meet Mr.. Sloane, I could not
have answered for my equanimity; but
he had left by the first boat 1t was a
long way over the pier to the steamboat.
But it seemed to me that Auntie SEEM
ed depressed at not seeing him. As for
me, | found out from Lizzie that my
note had been received, and pictured to
myself the delicacy he had shown in not
seeing me so soon after my embarrassing
avowal.
Two days passed, and on the third-it
was pouring rain, and we could not 90
out-a letter was brought to our room.
"MIss BEATRICE DENvERs."
| knew the superscription as soon as I
saw it in Auntie's hand. Our names
were the same, but Auntie's letters were
invariably superseded, " Miss B. Den
vers," while NINE were as often address
ed to Beauty Denvers."
An indescribable thrill-half resent
ment, half fear-shot through my veins,
us Auntie pressed her finger against the
seal She flushed little as she did so,
and walked away toward distant Win
dow.
[ rose impetuously.
Auntie," / CRIED "give me my let
teri"
With the small sheet half unfolded in
her hands, she glanced my way, an ex-
preston that it would be difficult to de-
cipher, upon her countenance. Even my
imperative tones did not seem to arouse
her.
advanced. "Auntie, you have no
right-yOu-
| snatched at the closely-written sheet
as | spoke. Even in my excitement |
could see that every page was filled.
Auntie seemed now to comprehend me-
You are mistaken, Beauty" she said,
calmly. "This letter is mine"
Auntie, it is you who are mistaken"
| cried, in phrensy of emotions. Give
me my letter."
Auntie's face flushed. You forget
yourself, Beauty" She folded het let
ter in her hand as she spoke. "This
letter is from Mr.. Sloane to me-,
was always bright enough to arrive
intuitively at facts. 1t was now clear
to me. Mr.. Sloane had written to Auntie,
as my natural guardian, confessing our
attachment. He had thought it better,
In his more mature judgment to ignore
our knowledge of Auntie's attempts to
separate us, and to propitiate her in our
favor by formally asking her consent to
our engagement
This thought Gained me, and quietly
retreated, while Auntie perused, in peace,
the missive in her hand.
But | watched her furtively, as I sat
at the other window; and as she con-
Guided, | saw the tears rolling down her
cheeks.
She sat quietly for few moments,
and then called me toward her. Iobeyed
the summons, my JOY conquering my
embarrassment, for | felt sure that she
now saw the uselessness of opposing us
any longer.
Beauty, DEAR" said Auntie, drawing
me down beside her on the sofa, a have
no secrets from you, and | know you will
be pleased to hear that our friend, Mr..
Sloane, has asked me to become his wife.
He wishes our marriage to take place in
October, and"
How can | describe the feeling that
took possession of me as Auntie spoke
Something must have shown in my face,
for she stopped suddenly, and looked
hard at me. The next moment des-
perate hope arose in my heart Auntie
had mistaken my letter for hers. after
all! But she annihilated this hope by
continuing
He speaks of you, too, dear; of the
advantages of travel opened to you by
our union; for, Beauty, we are to go to
Europe in the spring. That is. But
of course, his declaration in writing is
merely form. We have known our
mutual regard for each other for long
time-more than year, in fact"
[ remember that | told Auntie / had
no objections; that | should like to
travel, ETC.; but it is of no use of my
trying to describe hew | felt that even
ing. Mr.. Sloane came back, and we re-
turned to the city. He talked to me
just as he always did Auntie's trous-
seau was soon in progress, and in the
autumn she and Mr.. Sloane were mar
ried, being first bridesmaid. The next
spring, as had been arranged, we went to
Europe.