Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-10-22


large sum to take charge of him, as he be-
came uncomfortable in an asylum"
did you see him againS"
mo. found a little note in the rosebush,
saying that he was notmad; that he remem-
bered my promise to be his wife, and would
surely come some day and claim me. But
they left in three days, and Melissa whose
wedding outfit was curtailed in consequence,
twitted me very unkindly about my fine
crazy lover, 1t was little hard on me, for
he was the only lover l ever had. Melissa
and Jane both married and went West with
their husbands; | lived on at Ryelands, a
faded little old maid, until my Uncle Joshua
sent for me to come New York and keep his
line house for him. You know that he left
me all he had when died, nearly two years
ago. Then l sent for you. l remembered
my own lonely youth, and thought / would
give you iairer chance, dear"
did you ever hear of him again, aunt?"
"of him, never. His Oldest brother died
more than year ago. l suppose Alfred died
many years since; he was very frail and
delicate. thought it was refinement and
beauty then; now hold it was ill health"
Poor auntp
May, child, was very happy while my
dream lasted and never will believe but
that Alfred in his love for me was quite sane
and perhaps more sincere than many wiser
men,"
After this confidence Miss Phoebe seemed
to take a great pleasure in speaking of the
littleTomance of her youth. Often the old
and the young maidens sat in the twilight
discussing the probabilities of poor Alfred
Compton's life and death, and every discus
! sion left them more and more positive that
he had been the victim of some cruel plot.
The subject never tired Miss Phoebe, and
Julia, in the absence of lover of her own,
found in it charm quite in keeping with
her own youthful dreams.
One cold night in the middle of January
they had talked over the subject until both
felt it to bcexhausted--at least for that night.
Julia drew aside the heavy satin curtains
and looking out, said at is showing heayi-
ly, aunt; Tomorrow we can have sleigh
ride. Why, there is sleigh at our door
Who can it beY A gentleman, aunt, and he
Is coming here"
"Close the curtains, child. 1t is my law
yer, Mr.. Howard He promised to call to
night"
ooh dear | was hoping it was some nice
strange person."
Miss Phoebe did not answer; her thoughts
were far away. In fact, she had talked
about her old lover until there had sprung
up anew in her heart II very strong senti-
mental affection for his memory; and when
the servant announced visitor on business
she rose with sigh from her reflections, and
went into the reception-room.
| In a few minutes Julia heard her voice in
rapid, excited tones, and ere she could de-
eide to go to her or not, Aunt Phoebe entered
the room, holding by the hand gentleman
whom she announced as Mr.. Alfred Comp
ton. Julia was disappointed, TO say the least,
but she met him with enthusiasm. Perhaps
Aunt Phoebe had quite unconscously mag
nifed the beauty Of the youthful Alfred
certainly this one was not handsome. He
was sixty at least his fair, curling locks had
vanished. and his fine figure was slightly
bent. But the clear, sensitive face remained,
and he was dressed with scrupulous care.
| The two women made much of him. In
half an hour Delmonico had furnished de-
licious little banquet, and Alfred drank TO
his promised wife, Miss Phoebe Wakefield,
best and loveliest Of women"
Miss Phoebe laughed, but she dearly liked
it and hand in hand the two old lovers sat,
while Alfred told his sad little story of life
long wrong and suffering of an intensely
nervous, selfconscious nature driven TO ex-
tremity by cruel usage and many wrongs.
At the mention Of DR.. Orman Miss Phoebe
expressed herself little bitterly.
"Nay, Phoebe" said Alfred, whatever he
was when my brother put in his care he
became my true friend. To his skill and pa
thence owe my restoration 10 perfect health;
/ anu W mo nun hNFc,u'y VI iiBHb anu
ability to manage my own estate owe the
position | now hold, and my ability TO come
and ask Phoebe to redeem her neyer-iorgot-
ten promise"
Perhaps Julia got a little tired of these old
fashioned lovers, but they never tired Of
each other. Miss Phoebe was not the least
abashed by any contrast between her ideal
and and her real Alfred, and Alfred was
never weary of assuring her that he found
her infinitely more delightful and womanly
than in the days of their first courtship.
| She cannot even call them foolish or
silly couple, or use any other relieving
phrase Of that order, for Miss Phebe--or
rather Mrs. Compton-resents any word as
applied to Mr.. Compton that would imply
less than supernatural wisdom and inteli-
gcnce. "No one but those who have known
him az long as ! have" she continually
AYERS, can possibly estimate the superior
information and infallible Judgment of my
husband "--IiaTper's Weekly