The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-02-21

escaped your keen observation how did m,
letter pass the eyes of the New York off
cials undetected? This is my question"
Her eyes searched my face.
took her hands in my own.
ANNIE said l, 81 believe I could
mako no ore understand what it cost my
jealous heart to rectify that mistake, but
did 1t. L knew it must be an answer "a
that letter you spoke OF a few minutes ago,
1t ought to prove 10 you how unselfsh /
love you, when l stamped it and sent il
on its way to him l never thought you
would find it out. I did it to spare you a
moments uneasiness. If the man you love
cares for you as much as do he will mako
your life happy one."
GLOW can l repay your generosity ?''
sue said in voice tremulous with feeling.
''YOu could not have acted better if YOU
had had peep at the contents Of that let
ter. But your re ward may be claimed
when you read this"
She handed me the letter and glided out
of the room. I took it over to the shaded
lamp and read the following
DEAR ANNIE When beside your fathers
dying bed we entered into an engagement of
marriage. l felt as he did, that the interest
of the firm of which he aud l were partners
would be best sustained by our union
l wrote to you notifying you of my readi-
ness TO fulfill my part of the engagement
ana requesting you to be ready to return
with me on Saturday as my wife. You say
TO me that / must not come. There is but
one explanation in this refusal, ard that is
that you have seen some one that pleases
you better than you- humble servant. 1t is
but natural, child; / cannot blame you
The young should mate with the young. and
| am 100 much your senior 10 expect to
awake in your youthful heart feelings that
have long been lifeless TO my own.
Il releave you from a promise that l am
now aware was made by you under the pres
sure OF the saddles circumstances. But this /
fact can never affect the fathcrlv regard | 4
have entertained for the only child Of nv
dear old friend "
Tread no further. Here was my re ward. !
And how nearly had lost it by the desire .
OF gratifying an ungenerous impulse. An
ME has since assured me that had Joseph
Norris arrived on the day designated. so
great was her awe of her fathers old part
ner that she never would have had the
courage to contend against her destiny.
Indeed the Circumstance of having made
-he error she did in mis- stamping the letter
seemed to her troubled mind significant of
deep meaning, and that even beyond tue
grave her father sought to control her ac-
ion.
Annie did not return to the parlor. I
ouno her seated in the Doctors Office, ao
'arently interested in tho game which lust
1t the moment of my entrance he brought
o n victorious conclusion.
CHECK
Mate cried finishing the word for
lin, and catching Annie in my arms,
ieedless OF the astonishment Of the elderly
'air, l demanded my reward.
Well, Joseph Norris, gray haired, COM
non place and undemonstrative, came to
'lenwell to other nuptials than his own.
Ie gave away my dear one with the best OF
race, and after the marriage congratula-
ed me on my admission into the firm. Nv
gnoranco Of his meaning was so apparent,
bat with grim smile he enlightened me.
With my bride | acquired the half interest
4 an East India firm in New York and [
'alcutta. If Anuie had chosen to appear
S an orphan, dependent on the bounty Of
er uncle, she had the satisfaction of |
moving thai the love she won was offered |
nd in great measure we owe our happi- /
ess to the little postage stampP !