The Van Buren press., 1878-11-19
for my trunk ALI one breath, and seem.
ed really rejoiced to see me.

Diatucu bidSh iIhtT, lItu Win u scarlet
bow, came demurely into the room, and
was introduced. Never, however, in that
first hour, could the widest Imagination
have pictured Mamie Stillwell wading in.
TO duck pond. But the hall shy, half
di2nlied company manner soon wore
away, and Mamie and were fast friends
before dinner. She sang for me in a
voice as deliciously fresh as birds car
oil, she took me to see her pets, the new
horse that was her last birthday gift
from papa" the ugly little Scotch ter.
terrier with the beautiful brown eyes, the
rabbits. Guinea hen and the supernatural
old pony who had preceded the new
horse. @----=
In week was as much in love as
ever John could have desired. Mamie
was the most bewitching maiden l had
ever met; childike and yet womanly,
frank bright and full Of girlish freaks
and boyish mischief; and yet we'll edu
Gated, with really wondering musiea. gifts
and full of noble thoughts She was a
perfect idol in the village, her friends and
neighbors thinking no party complete
without her, while the poor fairly wor-
shipped her
John allowed her an almost unlimited
supply of pocket money, and she was
lavish in oil charity, from blankets for old
women, tobacco for old men, to candies
for children and rides on her horse to
urc1ins And she had way Of confer
ring favors that never wounded the pride
of the most sensitive.
We rode together every morning, we
walked in the cool evening hours, we
spent much time at the piano, and discus
sed our favorile authors, and one day
when asked Nannielio be my wife, she
said, cody "Why, of course, | thought
than was all understood long ago |"
was rather amazed at such matter of
fact wooing, but delighted at the result
How could expect any soft, hlusl ing
speeches suppose ] ranked just where
John and Nannie's grandmother did in
her affections.
But one morning when Mrs Stillman
was nipping her geraniums in the sit
tne-room and John was reading the
morning newspaper, Nannie burst in, hei
beautiful face all aglow, her eyes bright
with delight, crying: "Oh, Grandma
Walt has come home ] saw him from my
window riding up the road
She was going then, just as John ex
claimed sConfound Waltz
"Who is Walt 2" l naturally inquir-
ed.
M6asr s e has been like one to, 2sF
to Mamie all her life, but went off to
Europe two years ago when he came of
age They wanted to correspond, but
forbade that. SO he has turned up
again
1t was evident that John was terribly
veNed, and very soon shared his annoy
ance. Walt, tall, handsome. young fel.
low, improved, not spoild by travel, just
haunted the house
He was generally off with Mamie as
soon as he arrived, aud blind to Mrs
StilIman, her concealed GOODNESS and
Johns sarcastic speeches about boys and
puppies.
AS for me. by the time my sleepy eyes
were opened in the morning, Mamie had
had a long ride with Walt, and was at the
piano when came into the room, aud
Walt was walking beside Mamie when
the hour for our usual stroll arrived.
And the very demon of mischief pos
sessed the girl. There was no freak that
she was inventing to mperil her life
riding, driving, boating and fairly shiv-
cred at the prospect of my nervous ter
rors when it would be my task to try
and control this quicksilver tempera-
ment.
But one day, when l was in the sum
mer house, a very rneful little maiden
with tear stained face came to my
side
Walt is going away" she said
Indeed -
Yes; and he says Pm wicked flirt p
with choking sob. II thought would
ask you about IT.,
About what?'
Sour getting married. You know pa
pa told me was to marry you ages and
ages ago"
YES"
"And l knew it was all right if he said
so But Walt says you must be muf
if you want wife VINO is all tue Tune
thinking of someone else.
And you know can't help it. Walt
has been my friend ever since we were lit
tie and we were always together. And
when he was in Europe papa wouldn't let
us write to each other, but ki5sed his
picture every night and morning, and
wore his hair in a locket, and thought Of
him all the time. And he says you won't
like it after we are married"
"Well, not exactly" said, drily.
" You'll have to stop thinking of him
then"
81 don't believe | ever can. And so
| thought I'd tell you aud perhaps-per-
haps you'll tell papa we don't care about
being married, after all | don't think |
could ever be sedate and grave, like an
old lady, and of course, ought to be if
| am to be an old mans wife"
"Of course"
"And am SO rude and horrid,
know ! am not nice like city girls, and
| am altogether hateful; but Walt don't
care
rather agreed with Walt as she stood
in shy confusion before me, her eyes still
misty. her sweet lips quivering. 1t was a
sore wrench to give her up, but l was not
quite au idiot, and said grayely:
But your father y
YES, konw; he'll make areal storm
/. II II Ia