The Osceola times., 1879-11-15

u
slept or woke he always saw her as She
stood fixing the broken primroses in her
belt-looking so sweet and pretty in her
white dress and blue ribbons, and her
ripping brown hair tossed by the even.
ing breeze and by the dancing; and at
length, when his mother renewed her
attacks upon him about getting married,
he told her of the maiden he had learn
ed to love so well.
The lady was dumfounded. Was ber
darling son, the pride of heart, to wed a
nameless humble bride. But rs she
pondered the matter over she became
more reconciled TO it. If he loved this
maiden his happiness was concerned:
and what was his true happiness was
hers. So, after q short silence, that al
most seemed years, she raised her head
and asked Sir Malcolm if he had cause
to think the maiden returned his love.
II dare not think she does, mother"
he replied, "yet think she thought ten
derly of the strolling musician. think
there was a sigh of regret for his not be-
ing the son of neighbor farmer. |
could read that in her dark gray eyes.
even when she was not the least consci-
ouss of it herself"
God bless you, my dear son." replied
the good lady, with tremor in her voice
God bless you, indeed; so amiable a
maiden must prove sweet companion,
and she must be in measure accom-.
plished, according to your statement; and
if it is for your happiness, | am recon-
ciled.p
r,n ,,o,,,,c, ,,,o,, l.igsol III ,,,,,l,,,s
hand with tenderness and gratitude;
and he went at once TO order out his
carriage for the interesting journey. lie
attircd himself with great care, and
finer looking man could seldom be
seen.
His well-knit limbs were 1.-THE and
ard-looking. and showed the nimble
huntsman or the brave soldier; as occa-
sion might demand. His dark hazel eye
was beautiful, and his curly hair of the
sunniest shade of brown. His bushy
whiskers were auburn, and the habit Of
command gave a dignity to his presence
that heightened the charm on tie whole
Jessie's father saw the carriage ap-
proach the house in great surprise, for he
knew the yellow carriage, though he
had not seen it for years. He went, bon
net in hand, TO meet the lard, while his
good wife hastily got on her best cap,
and looked at her whisky bottle and
her bread and cheese in case he might
alght to rest his horses and get some re-
as she had seen his excel
lent father do.
Sir Malcolm leaped from the carriage,
and entered the old house as if he had
been an acquaintapce for years, much TO
the delight of the good farmer and his
wife. He partook of glass OF rlch
cream and a piece Of delicious oat-cake,
and then asked TO see their family.
They came in, one by one, tall. blushing
girls and stout, healthy, awkward-look-
inc lads-all but Jessie; and Sir Malcolm
asked if these were all
I'VE have one other daughter, our
second eldest, but she is busy with some
household duties, and unfit 10 come into
your presence; so we ope you will eX-
cusc her. Sir Malcolm" said The mother,
in decorous manner,
"Show me where to find her, then !
will go to her." said Sir Malcolm, with
strange quiyer of voice.
The mother was about 10 call the
daughter. when one of the boys, hastily
opening the door, pointed TO the room
where Jessie was busily taking oil the
butter from the churn. She was arrayed
in plain gray linen dress, clean ana
neat, and the curls that had hunS so
prettilv about her neck and face at the
were fastened back with piece
of bright blue ribbon; but the dropping,
tall liiv.like figure and the modest gray
ewes were the same and the expression
that he thought so angelic when she
gathered the broken primroses was stlll
the same also, indeed, as he gazed upon
her. he thought her more beautiful than
ever. She looked bcwildered at the ialr
face of the young man, and he TOOK her
hand, saying: ...: Toe
II have accepted your invitation, Jes-
sic You see | have returned, thougn
in GOOD sooth your eyes would speak
warmer welcome II had come WIN NY
TAFT cred coat and my fiddle .,
Jessie stood speeches. IN astolish-
ment for she saw, indeed, he was no
other than the strolling musician, 10!
that hazel eve had left a tender reRret
in Jessie's heart for which she had oiteh
cbiddeu herself; and rs it flashed across
her mind who he was and how she had
stuffed his pockets with bread and beei'
she fell on her knees, crying
"Forgiye me, sir; oh, forgive me! 1
knew not, indeed, that you were an!
other than you represented youfSeH ~
be-"
"Forglvc you, Jessie? Yes, my ialr
rirl; you have more need OF forgiveness
than you think, for you have s'oien NY
peace of mind away. viii you DC my
PARTNER again-for all my lie long
He raised her from the floor as ne
snoke and drew her tenderly io"aru
lin. and she laid her face upon his DO,
.on, and wept tears Of the purest Joy ana
yladness as amid his caresses, she prom,
'sed 70 he lis through life. Ere he lea
her hack 10 get a blessing from her par
onts no took from his bosom a bouque,
If ,be latest primroses of the year ana
sxed them on her breast, whispering
,,,.a ho socrcd
10 ne for il was when you were gather
inc those of mine, so rudeiy proken anu
scattered by an ungcntle hahG' INA. ny
soul went out TO yours, IN the iuiine'' VI
it's first affection" If, r. c;r Nal
So Jessie became the wife oi Sir MAJ,
colin: and all through life proved herseil a
a trne wife loving mother and BENG
= actress ur TO- the poor and lowly, SIR
Malcolm's mother never had cause 70 re,
rre, % her having given her sanction 10
tbe he marriage, mar ior she became very proud
VI ,fI her % %daushter-in-law, whose charming
~ % q mr rocter was astonishing her more and
more. LII,
T,oy are old now. and the elder lady
hos nassed away; and the younger gener,,
alton are grown up to manly son sons and and
daughters, being iGveo nana anu