Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1878-09-26

iieE dFII&S.
'She has heard the worst, and will
get over it in time" she said to Mrs.
Peace, who ran in frightened out of
her Wiz.
''But if were you l would send
her away on visit somewhere before
that wretch comes here with his bride,
as they say he is going to do next
month";"
Jessie Peace went away for a short
visit to the sea-shore, as her mother
wished and her friend advised.
She was young, she was romantic,
and She certainly believed herself to
De heart broken And so she made
20 acquaintances, and went down 10
5he shore every day and sat there to
think about her lost lover, until she
hade fair to look like the very ghost
Pf the pretty girl that lover had so
heartlessly deserted.
One bright afternoon Jessie sat in
her accustomed place. A gentleman
came and and sat down near her. He
WAS tall, portly and handsome-a
Imam of fifty, perhaps, who looked
prosperous and wealthy, but vino also
Hooked very sad
Jessie heard him sigh once or
twice. That made her turn round to
glance at him, for she felt just then
she deepest sympathy for any one
iwho was in trouble.
! They both colored deeply as their
eyes met. The gentleman rose and
lifted his hat.
Miss Peace! I'm surprised tc
see you here!" he said.
i Jessie was even more embarrassed
than he was. For Judge Hunter was
their neighbor in her native village
sand the richest man there, and, afte
having lived as a widower for teI
years he had surprised her, one day
.sby asking her to marry him. She
.lhad refused him, as kindly as possi
.ibe, for, at that time, her heart wa
ifill Of Charles Romont. They ha'
incycr met since, and to meet thus
was sufficiently awkward for then
both, as may be supposed.
1T is like fate" said the Judge
keeping his eyes fixed upon her burn
ling lace. Il went away frem m
home to try to forget you, Jessie, an
.H,ye not been able to do it. / wa
Aalnklng On - r's---y
fago."
4 "Were you?" sighed Jessie
: A hundred wild fancies were whirl
ing through her heart and brain
Chief and first among them all wa
the thought-''Charlcs will brin
home his bride within the month.
I choose, | can enter the villag
church on the same day, as bride
before them"
| And she did choose.
''Did you hear me-did YOU motto
that l sighed, Jcssie?" exclaimed tn
Judge. "Ah, my dear girl I've don
nothing but sigh ever since the da
when You :old me you could never b
my wife, You little knew how III
happy your decision made me >"
II am very sorry" said Jessie
seftly.
There was a long silence. TIL
Judge took her hand. She did no
withdraw it.
Don't you think you can tax
back the answer yov give me on tha
unhappy day." he asked, coaxingly
'Yes," said Jessie, looking ia
out TO sea.
Jessie had her wish granted. Sh
walked, as a bride, before her falls
lover and his bride, when he entere
the village church on the day of h
first visit to his home.
And Judge Hunter, when he in
troduces his friends to his Lowell
wife, always tells them with pardon
able pride, that she "married him fc
love !"
So in truth she did. But it was ''ft
love" Of her own pride.
~Tone makes hun an excellent wifi
however. No one knows the trut
except Jessie, her mother, and Sara
Benton. These three women, strane
, TO say, have kept the secret faithful
between them, and will so keep 1t t
the end of their lives.
-~-------u-----
rrE A rTI v0TIp pnVc