The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1880-04-22

ures, got to saying unkind things ABOUT
the "cross old bachelor" behind his
back. Of what use was it, to be sure' to
always behave so prettily to such re-
served old fellow? He seemed to care
nothing at all for ladies.
Lilly thought surely ut her wedding
with DR.. MaGn ard. brother John would
come out OF his retirement and MAKE
some of the marriageable ladies of her
acquaintance happy thereby, and ne
did; but twas short-lived happiness
for it was long time before ne again
left his business.
The truth was but the young ladies
did not seem to know tiff John Leslie
had wanted to marry any one OF them,
or all of them together, he would have
asked them. Being well satisfied to let
things take their course he did not
trouble himself much about what was
passing outside OF his business, but
plodded steadily onward. Now, when
he went out to DR.. Maynard's, he had
the little Lillian to caress and talk to, as
well as her proud and happy mamma
and he went oftener than before the
baby came. One day while baby sat on
her uncle's knee, Mrs. Maynard said:
"My old friend Helen Arnold is COM
ing to stay awhile with us, John, and l
want you to run outas often as you can,
for she is so very quiet and reserved
that I want to stir her up a, little. You
need not be afraid of her talking too
much. She never does that"
John tossed the baby, and the baby's
mother was so pleased TO see the little
ones delight, that she forgot her brother
did not reply. However, it was several
weeks before he ventured to visit DR..
Maynard's again. Then it was only
after an an urgent entreaty from Lii
ian.
"We are so lonely" she wrote. "The
doctor is away, and though Helen is the
best friend in the world, and baby loves
her 30 dearly; I want you to come out.
I miss my dear old brother John. Do
come by the next train. will send to
meet YOU. Lillian"
Helen Arnold sat at the piano, sing
ing softly, and touching the keys lightly;
and Lillian played with the baby, and
laughed at her cunning ways one
minute-the next looked out of the win
dow and fretted at Johns delay.
"Dear me, don't see why he doesn't
comem and she went to the window for
the tiflieth time and had almost began
to imagine something dreadful had
happened. when she suddenly whirled
round with cry of delight.
Il was looking at q beautiful pic
ture,n said John, in the doorway; and
asshe sprang forward he caught her in
his arms and gave return for the
caresses she showered upon him. Be-
fore she had time to think Of Helen,
baby set up cry of delight too, of
course. She was such a, knowing child;
and her frightened mamma took her up,
and talking sweet baby talk to her, car
ried her up to the nursery. After she
was quieted and petted little, she was
left with Susan, and Lillian ran down
to the drawing room to see "dear old
John,", wondering all the time if he
would be polite to Helen.
"Good gracious" This was all she
said, as she, opened the door aghast.
What do you suppose she saw? There
was John, brown. handsome John,
sitting on tie sofa, smiling, and ap.
parently very happy; and Helen Ar
mold. with a crimson face, sat quietly
in The shelter of his arms.
"Come in, Lillian darling, I want to
tell you about it. ] have proposed"
said John.
Proposed" said his sister.
Eyes" said John. "This is the
third time"
Lillian laughed, and as she came up to
her brother he drew her down beside
them. Then he told her all about it,
and added: J..
"This time she has not said no; and
we will have a happy home, too, will
we not, dear Helen?"
And he turned his beaming face from
his sister to look at the lovely one upon
his shoulder, grown thinner and paler
than when he saw her last, but now
most sweet and womanly, as he drew
the encircling arm closer about her.
He did not seem to think there was
any danger of "No," nor did she, judg-
ing by the confiding look she gave him,
at the same time saying, softly:
81 always thought you would ask me
again, so waited"
Johns face was but the reflection of
the happiness within, as he answered:
"It seems foolish thing to do, but
yet am not sorry that I proposed three
times"
Lillian laughed, and ran upstairs to
see the baby "a. '...
Sleep and Waste Of Life.