Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-02-12
crept gradually into her manner Still the

| Crept gradually into her manner. Still the
! love was there.
''Once, in moment Of confidence, she
came to me, and asked, DO you believe
Mr.. Hewberry likes anyone better than mel
| Fred says he does-that he remained by
her all the time ut the party last night.
wish was old enough to go to parties
And | wish-indeed do
What, Hettie?' asked, as she hest
tated.
4 wish Cora Gushing didn't live in this
wOrld-indeed | do2' nodding her head
decidedly, while striving to force back the
| tears.
'Oh, Hettie this is dreadful! I said,
drawing her within my arms.
"'Well then, | wish Mr.. Hewberry and
| lived somewhere else, where Cora Cush-
ing wouldn't come, she sobbed.
Il assured her that Joe did not love Cora
Cushing; that Fred was only teasing her.
"When she was ten years old, Joe was
called suddenly away by the severe illness
OF his nearest relative, an uncle.
There was only time for hasty Good
bye, my little love! Make haste to grow
fast, and be tall girl when come back,
he said, kissing her.
His going was so sudden, she did not
seem to realize it. ! was glad that it was
SO. But how pitied the little thing when,
day after day. as she had done for years,
she sat and watched!
''Iime passed on; the pretty child grew
to be beautiful maiden. Youths gather
ed about her. and friends ceased to talked
OF Joe. Other names were mentioned as
his had been; yet none could win an ans
wering smile or blush | knew for whom
her love was kept
1.-The waiting, yearning look in her eyes
gave way at last, and joyous light broke
forth. Joe was coming back. A letter TO
her brother Fred brought the glad tidings.
He wrote:
I've a secret to tell you, dear boy. But
no; I'll keep it for a surprise, in which you
will rejoice for my sake, am sure. In Il
few days | shall be with you. JOE
Again, as in her baby days, Hattie be-
gan her watching. Oh knew her heart
was singing joyous song, though the
sweet lips gave forth no sound.
''She stood in the porch, waiting his COM
ing, clothed in feecy white, roses in her
hair, and bright smile playing on her
face.
'Hattie.'
Fred came towards her The boys
face had lost its usual look of merriment,
his voice its careless tone.
'Hettie, Joe came by the train awhile
ago"-he paused, darting an anxious, search
ing glance at his sisters face-and he was
not alone. I'll not let him surprise you, lit
la cic ;al al l.:
wife is with him.
''The light went out of eve and heart
The blush faded quickly on the young face,
and, whittier than the dress she wore, was
the hand put forth to grasp the balustrade
Fred sprang forward to catch her faint
ing form. Like a broken lily he bore her
in. And when Joe came she knew it not
''For many days her gentle spirit hover
ed between life and death. Sometimes
since, I've almost regretted that it passed
not away.
''She has never seen Joe Hewberry since
his marriage. Three years after, she sent
to his little girl, who bears her name, the
chain and locket she used to wear
"Where is he now?" Mrs. Wallace in
quired.
'I've not heard of him for years know
not if he lives"
Thanks for your story, George. But
wish Its ending had not been SO sad"
Then its lessons would have been less
powerful
True. must profit by it without delay
| Will send Bessie home with mother to
morrow. The change will do her good, and
break the SPELL.
A few days after this, George Clark
came to see Bessie's mother and said, with
bright smile;
'Tve come to change the ending of my
story of the other day. In fact, the end
had not then come. Here are Hatties we'd
ding cards; her Joe has been a widower
over two years. Hear what she writes to
me:
Forgive me for keeping my happiness
from you, my dear friend, but have not
been able to realize sufficiently that this
great joy was for me to speak to others.
Now that it is so near, and he is with me,
surely must it be. You who have known
so much, must know all now. He loved
and was pledged to her before he knew me.
You will be glad to know this; | was.
Had l known it. it would have soothed
greatly the agony of bygone days
I'VE were at Hattie's wedding yesterday;
a happier lovelier bride never saw"