The Newtown bee., 1877-10-11

"I have got lta" said suddenly, after sitting there for ,quite an hour, and jumping up looked ai my watch and the leaf of time table. Yes, I could just do il.--catch the train up. But could get by tbe rectory unseeni
 tried and found another way across to the lane by which l came; and mak- ing all the haste coult 1 just panted up to the little station as the up-train crawled in. Two hours later l was in Ralph's room, where he was boring over 6 dry brief.
 "Hullo l" he said looking ur. T thought yse were of fshing.'
 "Yes," I said putting on the gross deceiver ;"l did run dowmto to the place you told mc of"
 "lndeed P he said looking interested but sinking back, half closing his eyes, with sad smile on his lip, which seem- ed to me to say, "Ah If that could have been."
 "Yes, the trout are on wonderfully, May flies in abundance. hadn't the heart, though to fish alone, and so l came back to fetch You, without wetting . line Come, let's start by the first train in the morning. You make plenty of money now. Have day."
 His eyes sparkled as he grasped my hand.
 This is kind of you old fellow I should enjoy it above all things, and yes, could spare day. But no---no," he said sadly, "I won'tgo."
 Nonsense 1" cried, you shall,"
 "No," he ssid, "that place is associated with something very depressing to my mind. can't go.'
 My dear Ralph," I said, II have come back on purpose 10 fetch you, and go you must"
 My persistence prevailed, and trenl- bling fur the success of my plan to such an exlen, that lay awake all night for fear should miss the arssin, rose and took my bath at 4; got Ralph of. and We ran down by the same train as I had gone by on the previous morning, my friend growing more silent and depress- ed as we reached the station and walked towards the rectory.
 "lt's just three years since I was down here,' he said sadly, as we approached the copse. How swectly the birds sing
 l manuveEed so that he should go first having for excuse the narrowness of the new -sprsnt path and as I hoped so it fell about, for, letting him get a few yards in advance, l hung back as Ralph turned the corner by the stile, when there was wild cry, sharp ejaculation, and saw poor Laura literally leap to his breast and nestle there, exelaiming. Al last at last !'' % MaJur=
 My poor girl" he cried in fslsering tonea, sstounded, delighted, and ended by clasping her tightly to him, as she ex- claimed joyously-- .@ s4f ta&a Il. has been 80 long, but knew yoa would ooaise af last" r'ns r% s@ Here, quick quickar' cried Ralph, ''she has fainted." -. "a, t,-,4 @s%a It was quite true, and between us we carried the poor girl to lhe rectory from whence the gardener went galloping off onsthe reclors cob for the doctor, three miles away.
 But Laura wanted no doctor; and short .ime iater 1 left her lying on the sofa, holding Ralph's hand tightly in both of hers, as he knelt by her side, telling her again and again how he had always loved her, but had never dared to hope--words that made her eyes brighten and her heart pslpitate with joy.
 And this is why you didn't come back yesterday '" said the old gentleman with his voice shaking as he clung to my hand.
 And we---we-we kept the ducks till they were quite spoiled" sobbed the old lady. "Oh dear, oh dear l don't know what I'm saying, only God bless you for this God bless you l" and she threw her arms around my neck and kissed me as if I had been her son. ran away al last, felt 90 ready to act like child and the basket of trout l killed that day was marvel.
 It was getting dark when l strolled back. heavily laden. to the recsory. to hear that the doctor had been and gone away.
 Smiling, sir, smiling," said the old rector to me. ss remember that l had
 thought she wanted none.
 l And I was right; for Laura--I am privileged to cali my old friends wife by her Christian name---soon grew strong and we'll, her mental weakness passing away with her return to bodily health. They have charming cottage near the reciory, where stay when go down to fish and they have four little girls who always call me uncle. buf when there is Il lais Iir IS l., la eai.,,. I., tuy hun