Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-03-04

near at hand, and Mabel smiled as she
thought of it, and raised her dropping
eyelids, and looking away over the
autumn-tinged woods, and half praying
that Hettie and he might love each other,
for Hettie was always first in her thoughts
and plans.
| The invitation which she extended to
Wesley Dartmouth, the young lawyer,
was accepted, and every day Mabel
watched the stage coach as it came lazily
up the road, hoping it would stop at her
door. 1t stopped at last, and tall, bearded
man stepped from it and walked through
the white gate and up the gravel walk, and
smiled tenderly in Mabeps face as she
stood in the hall to greet him. In one
hand he held his hat, in the other he
clasped Mabel's, bowling his head grace
| fully toward her, receiving her words of
welcome, and speaking brotherly words to
her,
Then fairy footsteps came tripping to-
ward them, and Hettie came forward in
| her white dress, with bare arms and
shoulders, her cheeks glowing with health
and loveliness, and her yellow hair fall
ing on her shoulders like a shower of
| golden rings. The glory of youth was
upon her, and her blue eyes shone like
| twinkling stars. She came forward shyly
and stood by Mabel's side; and Mabel
looked at her fondly, proudly, and intro
duced her in loving, tender tone, and
looked into the young mans face to see
the expression there, as he gazed on Het-
tie loveliness. He took the white plump
hand in his, and gallantly kissed it, max
| ing some little f1attering remark about her
fairy-like beauty, and calling up rosy
flush to the bright, young face 1t had
commenced better than Mabel had hoped,
and she stood back little in the shadow,
and thought what handsome couple they
would make
The days that followed were DAYS of
gayety and pleasure. The guests invited
were all younger than Mabel, and though
she did not always mingle with them in
their amusements, it was a very happy
time for her, for it gave her pleasure to
see others happy. Hettie was the gayest
OF the gay, laughing, singing and dancing,
with no care, very child in the trials of
| life
Mabel was housekeeper and everseer of
| all that belonged to her, and much of her
time was required to perform pressing
duties. 1t was she who put up nice
dalnties for picnics, sailing parties and
| rides, though she often remained at home
and saw her sister and her guests go on
their way laughing and happy; and then
she would return to her labor, singing
softly, or sometimes signing unconscious
ly.
Mabel preferred to work a portion Of
her time-the days of her love of gayety
were over and she preferred quiet walks
and sound conversation. Wesley Dart
mouth was man who could talk well
and deeply; and often an hour or more
was given to quiet conversation between
himself and Mabel; and often would
his eye light up with pleasure and as
tonishment as Mabel displayed the depth
of her mind and the wealth of her intor-
nation.
The days passed happily away, and
Mabel felt more and more assured that
her plans were succeeding, and visions
of wedding arrangements passed before
her mind, and she saw Hettie-her darling
Hettie-the wife of Wesley Dartmouth,
one of the best men, she thought, in all
the world. But often, while thinking
thus, she would look at her shapely
fingers, on which no betrothal ring
shone, and then she would try to smile
and be contented; but there was always
vague longing and unrest in her heart,
however much she strove to Danish
them.
Once, when the merry party had gone
for a moonlight sail on the river, she had
sat alone at the piano, singing some old,
quaint melody. There was no light in the
room save that from Heavens lamps; but
that fell across her smooth, brown hair,
and her slender fingers on the white KEYS.
She was thinking of the past days that the
melody called to her mind, and did not
know that Wesley Dartmouth had stolen
quietly into the room, and was standing at
| her side. She finished her song, and turn
ing her head slightly she started to see
him standing there and looking down upon
her so kindly.
Il thought you had gone with the sail
ing party" she said.
Il started to CO. he replied, "but gave
it up on account of dull headache, which
thought would prevent my being an
agreeable companion. Your singing
soothes me, Mabel; will you sing that song
to me again?'
Mabel did not answer, but turned to
the piano and sang in soft, gentle tones:
II would be thine, I'd worship thee
BY all that's noble. all divine;
My every thought is but for thee
| would be thine, would,be thine.''
Neither spoke for a moment after she
had finished her song, then Wesley Dart
mouth laid his hand carelessly on her
shining hair, and said, almost in whis-
per:
81 thank you, Mabel; it was beautiful
Good night.
Before she could answer he was gone
and she wondered why he seemed so
moved, and half feared that Hettie had
| Sighted him, or perhaps refused his hand
in marriage.
1t was late when she went to her room,
but she did not retire. She drew the
crimson curtains from her window and sat
looking off over the blue river, where she
could just distinguish sail boat approach
ing the shore in the moonlight. Nearer
and nearer it came, until she could heara
song the merry party were singing; and
in short time Hettie came cautiously
into her room, her face wearing grieved
look
| DOH daor Moho1 al.o ro:I