Litchfield enquirer., 1879-05-08


 I what younger and happier man might ask. Such a one as myself can only stand aside. glad to be your humble friend, and to wish you all happiness to the of your life"
 There was something so pathetic in the sight of the gentle, leal ned professor adreSsing such words to the thoughtless girl whom oth- CTS treated only as companion in mischief, but wh, m his love elevated to pedestal above common womanhood, that May might we'll have been restrained by it. His gray hairs and simple kindness of life might have turned aside the jokes his credulty brought upon him. She wavered visibly for a moment; then the old mischievous sparcle came back to her eyes that were so denurely dropped
 ''Yet you have altered your resolution this morning ?" she said, inquiriugly.
 ''As told you, Miss May, because believ- ed that it was right for me to do se."
 ''Well," said May, after long pause, in which she was scarcely able to keep down the roguish quivering of her lips, Eff it is your duty to marry me- it must be mine to marry ] you"
 ''Then you consent?"
 "Yes."
 The tall ungainly man stepped, with no grace except that which love gave him, and | lifted her hand to his lips He seemed no more astonished at her answer than he had been at the spiritual visitation of the night be- | fore.
 When the boys came home that night they found the professor radiant, MT. and Mrs Kingsley beaning approval upon their daugh- ter, and May herself submitting to it all with | the most curious expression ever seen upon any dimpled face-a compound of laughter and doubt, of fun and fear
 Whether she was pricked by her conscience, or only frightened by the beldness of the game she was carrying on, they could not tell. 1 X UOt q herself and fell upon her, metaphorically speaking, with an avalanche of questions.
 May. did he really ask you to marry him 2"
 | Yes
 But he acts as if you had said yes."
 Well, so 1 did,"
 By love '" eiaculated Tom; perfectly con- founded.
 "You know told you, boys, that if help ed you in your fun, you must let me have mine"
 ''But, May May do you know he has al- ready asked father consent? How will you get out of it? What a storm there will be ]"
 ''She means" interrupted Jem, who had been studying her face attentively, Ito let it go on till it comes 10 the finale, and then say no instead of yes when the minister puts the l question:"
 Toms face was picture of mingled con- sternation and admiration He had held very low opinion of the courage of girls up to this point but the was one who was willing to go beyond him.
 Did you think of this last night when you wouldn't tell us what you were going te do ?" he asked, humbly.
 ''Of course 1 did,"
 ''Only think, Tom. he believed every word of it, after all!' put in Jem.
 They congratulated each other upon hav- | inr Darpatratn6 Sl1cppSSfu1 iOka hut still their countenances wore a very uneasy expres- | sion.
 ';After all, May, it's little too bad," said Tom, hesitatingly. 'The professor is a good sort of man, though he is such huff. We won't spoil your fun, of course, but just look at it before yeu go ahead. Have you thought what all awful row therell be when it comes out p
 ''It's too late to stop now" said his sister, family, as if she were a little alarmed herself at the prospect.
 "Well anyway, May can marry me, and so get out of the scrape," said Jem, taking her hand consolingly.
 Shed better marry you right after the other ceremony, then" answered Tom, omi- nousy. ''You'd better take her out of fath- er's reach as fast as possible. He thinks severy thing of the old professor"
 "Well, why shouldn't we?" asked Jem, with confidence.
 ''It's just as we'll now as any time. May won't mind"
 And indeed May did look 80 relieved at this proposal after the fashion of child who has unexpectedly grasped a torpedo, that Tom began to think it would be the best way out of the scrape, after all
 To be sure, the pair would have nothing to l live on after they were married except his 1 sisters little legacy, which wond not go far and besides which could not be claimed for year, till the young lady was of age. But | Tom had cheerful confidence in Jem's | abilities, andas great a confidence in his sis | ter.
 They finally settled it among themselves that this was to be the den0aenaent, and after ward tried to look as if every thing was all l right
 One of them at least failed ignominieusly. | Tom was attacked with fits of self-reproach every time he chanced to meet the professors eye, and whenever the good unconscious man showed him any trlf1ing kindness would rush out of the house as if he were convicted | criminal. This went on for a few months, ] Tom growing more and more conscience l stricken, May more and more silent and timid, till at last the powers that be were moved to set the wedding day. They all felt kind of relief at this. The joke which had seemed so ludicrous at first had grown into species of nightmare, which besrode them all merciessly. May submitted to the wedding preparations with quetness very unlike her. She avoided solitary inter- views with the professor; but as he had far too great a reverence for her to seek them, | this conduct did not attract attention. There was much wondering and many comments | among the gossips of the village over this sin gular and apparently unsuitable engagement but Miss May had always had reputation for doing unexpected things, So at last the won- derng settled down into acquiescence. By the morning of the wedding day both Jem and Tom were beginning to recognize the serious aspect of the drama to be enacted, and were not little nervous on entering the church. In their trepidation they nearly for got to provide themselves with white gloves. if there had not come timely reminder from May. The service conmenced-went on without interruption to the place where the dec isive question was put. Jem and Tom listened in the utmost excitement to the pro- fcssor's responce and then the question came to May, "Wilt thou have this man to be thy welded husband ?"
 Jem was just rising from his seat in antici- patton of the impending scene, when her answer came, in low, clear voice that could be heard distinctly in all parts of the church "Yes''
 The two boys were borrow struck. Was it possible she knew what she was doing? Was she overpowered by fright?
 Whether she was or not, they certainly were; for, in spite of frantic impulse to cry out and proclaim the mistake, the decorum of the place kept them still till the ceremony was over. Then they rushed to her side, needless of order or conventionalities
 May May!" whispered Tom, catching her hand in his excitement, ''are you crazy? Do you know that you are married to him p
 The color in her lace deepened as in late sunset sky.
 ''Yes, know it," she answered, quietly, laying her other hand upon her husbands arm ; and them lifting her beautiful flushed face to her brother, ':and love him."
 Perhaps two more discomfited young men never stole out of church than were Jem and Tom as they slipped away unnoticed among the crowd of people The former, indeed, was savage, and declared that he would never forri bar