Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1881-08-13

time she had promised to wall, once
again the old happy times commenced.
Peters home was about seven miles
from Jeannie's, but that was nothing to
the lover; his carriage was soon as well
known in R as if he had stayed in
the place many long drive they had
together.
Jeannie's parents were we'll pleased.
although the thought of the promise to
John sometimes troubled them.
About this time some busybody
contrived to let John know how
matters were going on at home. AL
though he knew he was to blame for not
writing, it did not hinder him from be-
ing angry with JEANNE. Knowing no
time was to be lost he wrote at once to
her, urging her to come to him soon
that he had home for her at last. He
sent her at the same time the address
of young lady who was also coming
out to be married. They would bo
company for each other, and the captain
of the ship '',Tasmania," that would sail
about the end ofJanuary, had promised
to take charge of them.
1t was the last day of the year when
this unwelcome letter arrived. Jeannie
had just gone to see Peters parents and
spend the holidays with them /; for the
country folk in Scotland have always
great merrymakings about that time.
Her mothers first impulse was to burn
it; but better thoughts prevailed, and
she resolved to send it to JEANNE and
let her decide for herself.
"What can the postman be
bringing us on a New Years night?"
said Mrs. Harper, as she rose from
the supper table, around which were
seated a party of their friends. ga let
ter for you, my DEAR" said she, as, Civ
ing JEANNE the epistle, she handed the
expected New Years gift to the post
man.
Tearing off the envelope, JEANNE saw
Johns well-known caligraphy inside.
The color left her very lips.
, "What is the matter, my dear? Is
any one i'll at homer were the anxious
questions which met her on all sides.
/, Trying by great eff-rt to master her
emotion, she answered as calmly as she
l could that it was letter from friend
which her mother had enclosed.
l "Mother is so exact" she added, as
, she hastily thrust the letter unopened
into her dress pocket.
After that, although she tried to en-
Joy herself like the others, their mirth
S Jared upon her, and it was a relief wher
the party broke up.
1 Once in the neat little room which
r was hers for the time being she boltei
q the door, and then sat down, woman
; like, to have a good cry before she could
muster courage to open the letter. Aftel
d passing a sleepless night she arose the
y next morning with the firm resolve t.
o do what she thought her duty; she ha'
d promised, and, hard as the task was
n she would keep her word. The frs
10 duty was the hardest of all that wa
to break the news to Peter. He rea
y soned and pleaded with her, but all t.
g no purpose She was firm, and at las
s he had to submit.
20 "Jeannie," he said II will live singl
g for your sake, since cannot get yor
20 I shall never love another"
le Having said goodbye to Mr.. and Mrs
le Harper, who wondered much at her sue
den departure, Peter took her home i
sr his gig. On the way there was littl
n said by either both knew it would be th
ts last ride they would ever have together
u We can scarcely describe the parting
Up but it was much more bitter than tn
parting with John had been Pete
10 wanted to visit Jeannie until she sailet
to but this she would not allow.
ne "Let it be over at once" she sai'
n. "for both our sakes."
Anu l6 HUI W oWu tudp ouC was ISu
'n One kiss and warm hand clasp, ar
eo he was gone.
d.
tn Jeannie went to the address John h,
at- sent, and found the young lady me
Is, toned. Being mutually pleased wi
By. each other, they became friends. In Il
ter meantime her trousseaN had to be 6
ife ready, and her father spared no expen
m to send her off decently.
As At last the eventful day arrived b
,be parents and few friends saw her safe
or on board the ship, and Captain Ada
rlv the bluff commander, promised to 10
rim out for both the young ladies entrust
,bo to his care.
Of Amid the waving of handkerchiefs a
no the tears of friends the stately st
slowly left the dock, and her parents
on turned home without their darling.
Az n;rbt wbap Mr. T,anoharton we