The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-11-16

My heart bounded. 1t had come at
last then-this offer which l had been
expecting every day. o, bliss! oh,
ecstacy!
Worth loving?" stammered.
Eyes, Sarah, for l cannot believe
that l have really won the love of this
pure, lovely girl
He drew case from his pocket,
pressed his finger on the spring, and
disclosed the face of a fair, gentle girl,
with rosy lips and sweet blue eyes.
1 could not speak. My thoughts
were too painful as l gazed on my
rivals beautiful face. All my castles
had been built on sand, and had been
blown down by breath from those
rosy lips.
"You have been just like a sister to
me-" continued my companion-no
longer l fancied him lover-''and so
| don't mind telling you all about it.
She," he added, rejected me five
months ago. My health failed, and l
came here for long rest. Five days
ago took courage and wrote to her
again, asking if she would reconsider
her rejection of my offer. You had
been kind to me that day, Sarah, and l
thought there might possibly be some
thing in me worth loving, She answered
my letter, said she had repented her
answer, and sent me her picture. | am
so happy now, and shall 90 to see her
at once, leaving here early tomorrow
morning. / have been a dull and
melancholy companion for you, Sarah,
but now that you know the reason 1 am
sure you viii overlook everything.
You have made my summer a much
happier one, than if had not known
you, and shall tell my dear Flora all
about my sweet sister Sarah"
Alas, alas, my castles had fallen
about my ears. l no longer cared to
stay in Kingston, and | went back to
Waterbury, whittier l had fondly
dreamed of being accompanied by Egg
bert Vansittart. Back | went, and a
thrill went through my heart at the
thought of meeting my ugly lover. Job
at least would be true to me. His con-
stancy had been tested by four years
crushing, from my tongue and man
ners. What if l married Job after all!
AS mother said, he had good bust
ness, and nice house and horses, and
was genial, pleasant fellow, Surely
| might forgive him his ugly face and
uglier name. Chances for matrimony
were few and far between in Water
bury, and | did not think L would ever
meet anyone now that | could like bet
ter than | now did Job. Constant, pa
tient, kind Job! my heart warmed
toward my ugly lover as | neared my
| home. Iwould make mother happy by
accepting him, give home to Maggie
and Jamie, the youngest of our flock,
and live in peace and plenty the rest of
my days. Romance had died out of me
forever. | would take up the stern
reality and be happy. Away with all
ideals! My imaginary heroes had never
brought me happiness, and l would be
rid of all foolish dreams now and for
ever. How impatient was to see Job
and have the matter settled! In mag
ination l refurnished the parlor in his
house, and hung plants in the piazza,
erected a greenhouse, and ran out a
bay window from the dining-room.
Mother met me at the door, and the
children gave three cheers as i entered
the parlor.
"Sarah, such news for you," said
mother, * have been almost broken
hearted about it"
What is itP the big water-pitchel
broken? or perhaps the speckled her
has died?"
Don't Jest, Sarah. Job Tubbs wa:
married yesterday to that red-headeC
Belle Barlow, and has gone to Niagara
on wedding tour"
didn't feel much like testing. Belle
Barlow! o, for the constancy of man
Well, l had given up the substance anC
chung to the shadow, and | was paid fol
my folly l had lost my ugly lover.
am over forty now, still a spinster
and teaching the school at Waterbury
| often see Job driving by with hi;
handsome, portly wife, and laughing
children, and regret that | ever re-
jected my ugly lover.-Dandury NeVS