The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-10

tue ora FAMILIAR tunes upon the piano.
! tancied that my own voice might
have lostsa little Of its early sweetness
and so did not attempt to Join the Others
whose melodies were SO very harmoni.
Gus.
Several other invitations were sent as
OF yore, to the Misses Whitaker. and j
was fast forgetting that I was an old
mad when at an evening party, over.
heard the envious and ill-natured re-
mark
Just see that Elizabeth Whitaker
What youthful airs she does put on Try.
ing to catch Mr.. Lotus, I dare saw
How those words rang IN my ears long
after the lights, the music and the dane:
ing had been shut out, and I was alone
IN my own room. How I catechised nv.
self, and tried to reason with my poor.
foolish heart. Yes, had been trying to
look young, aud had appropriated Wills
attention as a matter Of course.
What right had to monopolize his
time? Was it not far more likely tina,
he would choose Lottie or Cornie- If in.
deed, he were to pay court to any Of us!
Even this was by no. means certain; he
might go again as suddenly as he had
come; and I was startled to find what a
sad void his departure would make in
our circle, and still more In my own
heart. & -..
'Ah, Elizabeth, Elizabeth y soliloquls.
ed, take warning ere too later
The next morning rose with a new
resolve firmly fixed in my mind; would
not yield to the sweet delusions of love
would not, unasked, give my heart. The
world should have no cause to laugh at
the silly foolishness of All old maid
Strengthened by these purposes l was
better fitted tor the trial that awaited
me.
That very day Will LOTUS came, and
inquired for me alone. I caught quick
glance passing between Lottie and Cor
ME as I LETT the room, and there was a
more rapid pulsation at my heart as !
entered the cool, dim room where he was
seated.
Elizabeth he said, tenderlv, as he
took my hand, do you know what price
less treasure I have come to ask? hard.
ly dare be so bold, and yet faint heart
never won fair lady and must not lose
my courage
How very timid he has grownr
thought. Can he not see that he has but
to speak to wing
i smiled assuringly, and he proceeded
DO not think me precipitate in my af
lection, though the acquaintance hat
been so brief, for cannot be mistaken
IN my feelings, and only wait your per
mission to offer my hand to your pet sis
ter, Cornie. You stand in the place of
parent to her, and therefore I ask YOU
consent
All, Will, WIFI 1t was we'll you coulc
not read my heart just then.
With mighty effort I choked dowr
a convulsive sob, and replied that he hac
my full, free permission: and adding
that would send Cornie to him directly
left the room, q sadder and much wlsel
woman.
There is not much more to add. Cor
MES love was already given to the hand
some man so recently stranger, and {
very few months later she became hi
wife.
Lottie was the fair and stately brides
maid while witnessed with materna
complacency the ceremony which united
the destinies Of the only man I had eve
loved and my chichester, Cornie.
Peace and conten.ment were nv guar
dian angels. that night, ana with seren
ity both sincere and unaffected returned
the kiss which the bridegroom gave me
as he said, tenderly and gently, Sister
Elizabeth