The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-04-16

your fine romance. Mr.. Alfred Compton
is, as YOU perceive, not fit to marry any
lady. In fact, I am his keeper.
"Oh, Aunt Phoebe Surely he was not
a lunatic p
$50 they said, Julia. His frantic ter
ror was the only sign saw of it; but Dr.
Ormau told my father that he was at all
times really dangerous, and that he was
annually paid large sum to take charge
of him, as he became uncomfortable in an
asylum"
"Did you see him again ?"
"No. found little note in the rose
bush, saying that he was not mad; that he
remembered my promise to be his wife,
aud would surely come some day and
claim me. But they left in three days,
and Melissa, whose wedding outfit was
eurtailed in consequence, twitted me very
unkindly about my fine crazy lover 1t
Was little hard on me- for he was the
only lover | ever had. Melissa and Jane
both married and went West with their
husbands | lived on at Ryelanls, faded
little old maid, until my uncle Joshua
sent for me to come to New York and keep
his fne house for him. You know that
he leit me all he had when he died, nearly
tive years ago. Then | sent for you. |
remembered my own lonely youth, aud
thought l would give you fairer chance,
dear
"Did you ever hear Of him again,
aunt p
DOf him, never. His eldest brother
died more than a year age. | suppose
Alfred died many years since; lie was very
frail and delicate thought it was re-
huement and beauty then. ! know now it
was III health.
Poor aunt,
Nay, child, was very happy while my
dream lasted, and never will believe but
that Alfred in his love for me was quite
sane, aud perhaps more sincere than many
wiser mcn.
After this confidence, Miss Phobe seem
cd to take a great pleasure in speaking Of
the little romance Of her youth. Often
the old aud the young maideus sat 10 the
tviligh, discussing the probabilities Of poor
Alfred Compton life aud death, and ev-
cry discussion left them more and mere
positive that be had been the victim Of
some cruel plot. The subject never tired
Miss PhWbc, aud Julia, 10 the absence Of
a lover Of her own, found in j, charm
quite in keeping with her own youthful
dreams.
Dee cold night ia the middle Of Janua.
~ they bad talked over the old subject
until bolh felt il to be exhaasted--at least
for shal night Julia drew aside the heavy
satin curtains, aud hooking cut, said IL
snowias heavily, aans, to morrow &c
eau have 4 sleigh ride. Why, there Is
sleigh at our door " Who eau it be A
geuilcman, aunt, aud be is coming here.
''ClOse the curtains, child. 1, IS my
lawyer, Mr. Howard tie promised to
call to uigh,
"oh, dear was hopin : !, was some
nice stran-e person
Hiss Phobs did not answer, her thoughts
weFs far away In fact, she had talked
about her old lover uatil there had sprung
up anew in her heart very strong ssnti-
men,al affection for his memory; aud wheu
the servan, announced a visitor on busi-
ness, she rose with a sigh from her rehee-
tioas, aud went into the reception room.
10 few minutes Julia heard her voice
ia rapid, excited tones, aud ere she could
decide To 90 TO her or not, Aunt Phebe
entered the room, holding By the hand =
gentleman whom she announced as Mr..
Alfred Compton. Jaiia was disappointed,
to say the least, but she Sset him with en-
thusiasm. Perhaps Aunt Phebe had quite
uneouseiously magni6ed the beauty Of the
you,bful Alfred; certainly this one was not
handsome He was sixty st least, his fair
curling locks had vanished, aud his fine
figure was slightly bent But the clear,
sensitive face remained, aud be was dressed
with scrupulous care.
The two women made much of him
In half an hour Delmonieo had furnished
delicious little banquet, aud Alfred drank
"to bis promised wife, Miss Phoebe Wake
field, best aud loveliest Of women"
Miss Phoebe laughed, but she dearly
liked ii; aud hand in hand the two old
lovers sat, while Alfred told his sad little
story Of lifelong wrong and suffering; Of
an intensely nervous, self-cOnseiOus nature
driven to extremity by cruel usage aud
many wrongs. At the mention of DIR.
Orman Miss Phebe expressed herself
little bitterly.
"Nay, Phoebe, said Alfred; whatever
he was when my brother put me in his
care, he became my true friend. To his
skill and patience owe my restoration to
perfect health; and to his firm advocacy
of my right and ability to manage my own
estate | owe the position | now hold, and
my ability 10 come and ask Phoebe to re-
deem her never forgotten promise"
Perhaps Julia got little tired of these
old-fashioned lovers, but they never tired
of each other. Miss Phoebe was not the
least abashed by any contrast between her
ideal and her real Alfred, and Alfred was
never weary of assuring her that he found
her infinitely more delightful and wOmanly
than in the days of their first courtship.
She cannot even call them silly or
foolish couple, or use any other relieving
phrase of that order, for Miss PhGbe-or
rather Mrs. Compton-resents any word
as applied to Mr. Alfred Compton that
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