Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-05-22

III JnDn Leslie nAu wanted ~ HidT-
ry any ore 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 piodded steadily
onward. Now, when be went out
to DIR. Maynard's, he had the little
Lillian 10 caress end 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 coming to stay awhile with Us,
John, and / want you 10 run out
as often as you can, for she is SO
very quiet and reserved that |
want 10 stir her up 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 re-
ply. However, it was several
weeks before he ventured to visit
DR.. Maynard's again. Then it
was only after an urgent eutreaty
from Lillian.
1--WE are SO lonely she wrote.
1.-The doctor is away, and though
Helen is the best friend in the
world, and baby loves her so dear
ly; / want you to come out. |
miss my dear old brother John.
Do come by the next train. will
send to meet you. LTLTAN.'
Helen Arnold sat at the piano,
singing softly, and touching the
keys lightly; and Lillian played
with the baby, and laughed at her
cunning ways one minute-the
next looking out Of the window
and fretted at Johns delay.
'Dear me, / don't see why he
doesn't comet" and she went to
the window for the fiftieth time
and had almost began to imagine
something dreadful had happened,
when she suddenly whirled round
with cry of delight.
II was looking at a beautiful
picture" said John, in the door.
way; and as she sprang forward
he caught her 10 his arms md gave
q return for the caresses she show
cred upon him. Before she had
time to think of Helen, baby, set
up cry of delight too, of course.
She was such a knowing child
aud her frightened mamma took
her up. aud talking sweet baby
talk to her, carried her up to the
nursery. After she was quieted
and petted a 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. M rA
"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 the
sofa, smiling, and apparently very
happy i; and Helen Arnold, with a
crimson face, sat quietly in the
shelter of his arms. lnl
"Come in, Lillian darling, 1 want
to tell you about it. | have pro-
posed,' said John.
proposed I" said his sister.
"Yes," said John. This Is the
third time"
Lillian laughed, and as she same
up to her brother he drew her
down beside them. Then he told
her all about 1t, and added: q
This time she has not saidssno (;
and we will have happy home,
too, will we not, dear Helen %
And he turned his beaming face
from his sister to look at the love-
~ one upon his shoulder, grown
thinner and paler than when he
saw her last, but now most sweet
and womanly. as he drew the en-
circling arm closer about her.
He did not seem to think there
was any danger ofa NO. nor did
she judging by the confiding look
she gave him, at the same time
saying, softly;
II always thought you would
ask me again, so l waited"
Johns face was but the reflec-
ton OF the happiness within as he
answered:
at seems a foolish thing to do,
but yet aM not sorry that ! pro-
posed three times"
Lillian laughed, and ran upstairs
to see the baby.