The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-04-25

answered his soa.
"And your are determined to marry
herr"
Just as soon as GIN without hurting
matters" was the candid reply.
"Then," said the enragcd parent, re-
suming his seat, tomorrow morning you
leave this house forever"
"At what time am I to start?" asked
Lawrence, who feared he was to be de-
| prived OF his morning nap.
You may choose your own time, pro-
| vided you keep out Of my sight," was the
stern reply.
Thanks for your consideration" said
Lawrence; and bidding his angry sire
| goodnight, the thoughtless fellow went
yawning to bed.
The next morning, after removing his
personal effects to the hotel, he proceeded
| to the nearest recruiting Office and delib-
erately enrolled bis name amsng the de-
Tenders OF his country. Then he strolled
leisurely to the home of his affianced and
rang the docl uell. 1t was holiday, and
the object Of his affections answered the
sum mons in person. She looked prettier
than ever in her dainty morning wrapper,
he thought, and his heart smote him for
having called at so early an hour to
trouble her with business matters. There
was no help for it, however, and after they
| were seated alone in the humble sitting
room, he came at once to the point by
lnquiring how long it would take her to
arrange matters for their wedding.
"lt's too bad to bother you, l KNOW"
he remarked, apologetically, as Blanche
raised her eyebrows in surprise. II hate
to hurry you, but, confound it, every
body seems bent upon hurrying me, and
l am obliged to disturb others. A little
difficulty occurred last night between Ia
Their and myself. Nothing Serious" he
added, observing his listeners look of
alarm. 81 was requested to leave home
this morning, so enlisted moment ago,
and thought we could be married before
joined my regiment it would be better
for US both.
Blanche made her lover narrate the
circumstance which had driven him to
this desperate extremity. AT the con-
clusion OF his story she buried her face in
her hands and wept bitterly.
"Nonsense, Blanche" said Laurence,
COu DOSculy, Us lC llllCO uCl tCAuCAlN ~ .
seat on his knee, "don't cry; there's no
need of worrying on my account; I've
joined a cavalry regiment, and won't have
to walk; so cheer up, my dear, and say
when we shall be married"
eve ought never to think of such a
thing while your father hates me So"
sobbed Blanche.
"You are not going to marry my faith
err" was the cool reply.
If consent, it will only make trouble
for you persisted the young lady.
1t will trouble me more ifyou refuse"
rejoined her lover.
But what will people say9 and how
shall we manage to live?' qucred Blanche;
who, with the preverseness of her sex
loved to raise objections for the sake of
having them Overruled.
Laurence smiled ood-humoredly.
"Some will say one thing ana some an
other. blu, whatever any body says won't
be likely to harm US nor help US. As re-
CARDS living, suppose we shall subsist
mainly by eating. You have taken care
of yourself for the past three years, and
shall he taken care of for the next three;
so there's no danger of our starving. l
hate to urge the matter, but cont you
name the dav, and end this COMPOUNDED
uncertainty"
Unable to convince her obstinate lover
ofthe folly Of his request, the hesitating
maiden yielded. In less than a week
from the time the above conversation oc-
CURED sue had become Mrs. Delmar, and
her husband was on his way to the seat
of war
After Laurence's departure, Blanche
resigned her position in the school room.
and occupied her time in giving music
lessons at her own residence. As often
as circumstances would permit, she re-
ceived letters from the front, written by
her husbands round, legible hand, and
OVERLOOKING with brave, loving words of
comfort for 1.-THE little woman at home"
He had participated in several battles,
and escaped unframed; which he attrib-
uted to his having remained perfectly
quiet during the fighting.
On several occasions when others had
fled in bot haste from the enemy he had
stood his ground; and his lsziness being
M staken for bravery. had been rewarded
with promotion. After time there came
the news of q terriable engagement in
which Laurence's regiment had played
an important part Still uninjured, he
embraced the first opportunity to inform
Blanche of his safety and unexpected pro-
motion. Thus it was, that f;om the hour
of his enlistment until his term of service
had expired fortune smiled upon the true
hearted soldier. and when the war was
over he marched home at the head of his
command as Colonel Delmar.
On that eventful day a joyous crowd
assembled in the '.town-house" to vel
come the returned veterans OF course
the gallant colonel was the observed of ali
obsev~rs, and we'll did he deserve the
honor. Judge Delmar refused to be pres
ent at the festivities, and his absence &C.
casioned neither regret nor astonishmcnt.
At q late hour that night, as Laurence
and his wife were alone in the little sit
ting-nnom where they had first agreed TO
join hands and fortunes, they were sur
prised to hear q timid knock at the street
door. On opening il the colonel was still
more astonished to behold his father, look
ing old and careworn, but still preserving