The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-05-04
HOW SHE CAME TO HAVE
HIM.

qu1te VIiage street, as II among the lea
less trees and on the frost-bound Lane
scape she should find the answer I
Horace Leyison's question.
Then, after a moment, she turned he
face toward him-a face as fresh and fai
lsyf in its peachy bloom as many youn
girls ten years her junior.
y = "I-I am-afraid can't, Mr.. Levi
Mr.. Levison looked her straight in tn
bright blue eyes-such lovely blue eyes
sctt Gs velvet, and the color of a viole
that has bloomed in the shade.
You are afraid you can't, Mrs
Willard? Answer me another question
yes or no: Do you love me ?''
She blushed and smiled, and looked
bewitchingly.
Why, Mr.. Levison, mean Harry,
of course / do-like you | always did
ever since first knew you, years and
years ago."
When VIII Willard won the prize
all we fellows were striving for So you
liked me then, Nellie, and you like me
now? Then why won't you marry me
You've been widow for three years
now. Isn't that long enough to mourn
for WIFI
You wicked man AS if three hun
dred years could ever teach me to for
get poor, dear Wilson,"
Her bright eyes reproved him sharply,
and he accepted with good grace.
Granting the truth, Nellie, that
your deceased husband was a good fell
low and loving partner, 1 still can not
see why you refuse me. That is the SUBJ
ject under consideration at present, Mel
lie Why won't you marry me ?"
Then Mrs. Wizards face grew little
paler, and her plump, fair hands trem-
bled.
Because, Harry because Wilson
Willard made me promise never to marry
again."
Nonsense What if he did? A bad
promise is better broken than kept
Mrs. Willard twisted her ring uneasily,
and looked at the illuminated shield of
the stone.
know it is" she said "but-"
Mr.. Levison looked earnestly at her.
Z" Yes but what, Nellie? In all re- |
spect say it-poor viii is dead and !
gone, and you've been true to his
memory all these long years and what
is he to do with you now?"
know" she said again, medita-
lively, "but-but. Harry, he made me
solemnly promise never to marry again
under the penalty of his everlasting dis
pleasure. And don't be angry with me,
Harry, will you? But 1 almost know
he would appear to mel !"
The lovely blue eyes were lifted in
such piteous appeal to his, and the
pretty little widow made such nervous
little nesting nearer to him, that it was
the most human thing in the world for
Mr.. Levison to put his arm protectingly
around her, and assure her he was not |
angry with her.
81" So you believe he would haunt you,
Nellie, if you broke your promise? A
sensible little woman like you to verita-
bly, believe in superstitious fol de-rol
And after having waited for you ten
years of Jour married life, and three
years of your widowhood, you condemn
me to hopelessness for the sake of such
chimera-for the sake of such shadow
as your husbands ghost I"
And Nellie looked imploringly at him
again. and her lips quivered, and the
tears stood in great crystals on her long
lashes.
40 Harry, how cruel you are You
know 1 love you better than all the
world, only-I dare not marry again
Don't be angry-please don't be angry
with me-
And Mr.. Levison looked down at her
lovely face, and assured her he never
could be angry with her, and then went
away thinking badly of the husband who
had burdened his lovely young wife with
such promise.
The last sunset rays were hinging their
golden and scarlet pennons on the pale
blue1gray sky when Mr.. Levison opened
the door of his cozy sitting-room at
home, to be met by the laughing face and
gay welcome of younger gentleman who
had evidently been making himself at
home Wills he waited
Heigho, Levison Surprised to see ;
me! How are you, old fellow-how are ,
you? 2"
Mr.. Levison stared second, then :
greeted him warmly.
=" Fred. Willard Where in the name :
of goodness did you spring from? WHY. !;
l thought you were not to sail from Eng ,
land for good six months vet. Old /,
boy, bless you, l am glad to see you. al 9
though for the instant 1 confess was
startled. You are the living image of /,
your brother Wilson. We've been dis :
cussing ghosts, you know"
- Young Wiliiard's eyes cleaned mis- /,
chieyously as he interrupted, irreverent- i,
esWe' is good, Lev. You mean INV .
little. sister-in- law of course? 1 know !,
she believes in 'em. / am impatient to ,
see her-for the first time since Wills +,
filneriln
eMrIevison had been looking thought ,
fully at the embers, glowing like melted
rubies behind the silver bars of the crate. !
Now he turned suddenly to Fred, and !.
laid his hand persuasively on his :
shoulder.
Look here, Fred, you are friend of =
mine sendI am about to put your friend ;.
ship to 4 test. want you to do me :,
very great favor. Will you?"
Fred laughed. Il
Will? OF course will. What's : !
upF4 - =
And Mf. Levison tsrned the key of n
the door, and the consultation lasted Sc
until the honsekeeper rang the dinner q =,
bell. :; :;
Five hours later the moon was just Il