The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-12-24
er destination the more uneasy she

her destination the more uneasy she
became.
Il don't know what Tom will say ?
was her inward reflection. I've treated
the poor, dear fellow shamefully every
way There he's been taking his meals
ut the hotel all these weeks, and living
nobody knows how. And now I've almost
promised John I'll leave him altogether
Now John was on the same train
though Jessie was ignorant of it, being
altogether too good general not to fol
low up his advantage. When the train
stopped at Cedarville he was careful to
remain out of sight until Jessie had left
it, Not being expected on that train
Jessie found no one waiting for her at
the station, and so took the most direct
way home, meeting Tom at the door.
Having wrought herself up to a pitch
of remorseful tenderness. Jessie threw
her arms around her brothers neck and
burst into tears, then, having bestowed
upon herself a variety of epithets of a
far from complimentary nature, she
ended by declaring that she was never
half so wretched in her life.
The thoughts that were uppermost in
Toms mind made him asC7ibe his sisters
otherwise unaccountabc words and CON
duct to only one source. He looked great
ly perpleXcd and troubled.
My dear Jessie, if You only knew how
much it grieves me to give you any pain.
| would rather it had been left to me; but
now that all is known let us talk the mat
ter over calmly. Julia knows oisour com
pact, and how | would naturally feel un.
der the circumstances, and | must say
that consider it a strong proof of her
regard for my happiness that she should
have written about you so frankly and
kindly
There were no tears now in the flash
ing eyes that were directed toward the
speaker.
Has Julia been writing to you about
me-?
Certainly. Ihad aletter from the dear
girl yesterday If it were intended for
any other eye but mine | would like to
have YOU read it. She speaks of you with
so much affection infer that You had
talk before you left 2
i never said word to her,and don't
consider that she had any business to
write you about it at all. haven't for
gotten my promise, neither. ltold John
that | would never consent unless YOU
consented too.
Tom looked at his sisters flushed face
in perpleXity and amazement.
'Of course, consent How else could
any such question arise between us?' 1t
is your consent that is needed, or, rather
your release to me of the promise made
you
You mean your release to me of the
promise | made you?.
Il mean nothing of the kind. though,
of course, that would follow. Julia has
Conscientious scruples about giving me a
decided answer until | have talked to
you and won you over.
Almost exactly what | said to John.
But Tam not talking about John, but
Julia
And Tam not talking about Julia, but
John! laughed Jessie,on whose bcfogged
mind a light suddenly broke, and which
sent the blood in crimson waves to the
temples.
Here she caught glimpse of John
coming up the walk. Knowing what his
errand was she escaped by one door
while he entered by another, running up
stairs to her own room.
She obeyed very cheerfully, however,
the summons which reached her few
minutes later.
Tom net her at the door, his face wear
ing avery smiling aspect as he led her up
to their guest.
John and | have made arrangements,
Jessie, which your presence is needed
to ratify | have promised that if he
will give me his sister that | will give
him mine
That neither Jessie nor Julia refused
to ratify this plcdge,the double wedding
that followed affords the most satisfact
/ DRY proof The utmost harmony exists
between the two familes.now so happily
united In their frequent interchange ot
+ visits Tom and Jessie often laughiugly
allude to their compact and how it was
| kept.