Daily globe., 1879-04-06
letters was one that caught his eye at

OuCC
:'Dear Frlend' Gt ran)--"My poor
tired father is at rest. He was seized
with paralysis the morning after you lef.
us, and passed away painlessly in few
hours. How little I anticipated this
event when we talked together NV hands
were full then; now they are very empty.
My work here is done. If you still be-
lieve could make happythe kind friend
who has always been our benefactor, l
should be glad to see you. Yours, sin
cerely. OLIVE WAYNE"
Mr.. Phoenix read this missive, reread it,
shut it into the book of JOB safe from
prying Mrs. Dubbs, and drummed uneasi-
~ on the closed Bible. What predica-
meHt! Must he thrust back upon Olive
this gift for which he had so lately sued?
Must he thus humble her? He wri1hed at
the thought. Must he thus humble him,
self? Bit1erer than all, must he relinquish
} this tried friend of a lifetime9 Having
reached life's autumn, must he reject
life's mature and appropriate fruits for
the rhubarb and greens Of spring time?
Alas! yes: he must fulfill his engagement,
for was he not an "honorable man?" He
would write at once to Olive candid
statement of the case.
But while he idled at his desk en- the
morrow, Mr.. Torrey came to ask the loan
of a horse till his own should be in running
order, and the deacon laid down his pen
with q sigh of relief.
Feeling that he ought to tell his BROTH
er-in-law of his contemplated marriage,
at dinner he led the conversation back to
the conference and Mrs. Vance.
"By-the- way, met the widow this
morning riding with John Vance," re-
marked Mr.. Torrey, casually. "You re-
member him-the brother next to
Charles2 He's just come from Califcr-
MIA, with his pockets full"
'Ah2"
eyes. Shouldn't wonder if he took the
widow. Some say they're engaged al.
ready
u Of course the deacon knew better
, than that, nevertheless he delayed his
tender confession. And he did not write
the letter. Time enough for that after he
} had paid Mrs. Vance tue promised visit
: The latter lady had certainly the frs
claim upon his attentions.
Unfortunately several days of torment
| ing pain ensued, during which the dea
cons patience was put to pretty severe
test; but he was at last able to seek the
, object of his hasty choice. He found be-
! in her dooryard, playing croquet with s
tall, well-dressed gentleman.
t $50 happy to see you, Deacon Phe
nix!" cried she, with voluble embarrass
t ment, "and so glad to introduce Mr.
Vance. dear Cha riie's brother. Do com,
I In"
f II hope my tardy coming does no
! seem discourteous, Mrs. Vance, " said he
in a6able tormality, while the strange
e hastened to a suddenly-recalled engage
! ment. 81 have not''--
'sNo-oh no. broke in the widow, ner
vously.
r II have not been we'll. Otherwise, un
der our present interesting relations
e "Oh, Mr.. Ph@nix!" interrupted she
! throwing herself upon cricket at hi
y feet. 'sDo you know, I am so afraid
e am not the one to make you happy? Ant
. my friends say the discrepancy in ou
! ages is too great. Ought l to MARI,
e against their wishes2"
t You must decide that question, dea
< madam" responded the deacon, will
. suppressed eagerness. The finger O
r Providence was in this. He held hi
3 breath to make sure which way it point
ed.
= "Then if you don't mind oery much
Deacon Phoenix, perhaps it aooazd be bet
ter for us to part as friends. Oh, dear!
hope you'll forgive me if I've done any
! thing wrong"
The deacon hardly heard the closin!
= sentence for the glad beating of hi
. heart. my dear child, you have don
q quite right; do not reproach you." sai'
= he, Will smile of infinite benevolence
J 1T is natural that youth should choose t
wed with youth"
q "And that age should wed with age,
he added, mentally, as, with an adle7
almost paternal, he drove away in the di
= rectlon of Miss Olives.
: He and Miss Wayne we're married tn
. following October, but Mr.. and Mrs
Vance waited till Christmas.-Harper'
! Basar.
"