The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-02-23

He takes the tiny picture from
his pocket and gazes long and
tenderly into the sweet blue
eyes. So true aud clearin their
glance that he kisses it over and
over again and then places it reso'
lutely back in the case, and
snatches up pen and paper rapid
ly, as though afraid he might fal-
ter. Then be wrote rapidly these
lines:
'ELEANE: Harold has just writ
ten mo of your engagement and
early marriage. He also ex'
presses a wish that l should be
present or the occasion. But l
cannot come, you perhaps know
Why. l have just looked at your
picture and the eyes looked so
true that I can hardly realize that
you are TO be anothcr's. May
you be happy, Eleanc. And good
bye, perhaps forever
JEROLD.
This little missiye was destined
never to reach her. Jerold laid it
on the desk after having sealed
and addressed it, and when be
went home for dinner little Fred
dy saw it lying there and think
ing to have a nice play thing, cut it
into many parts, and was busily en-,
gagged counting them when Jerold
returned. At a glance he saw the
mischief, but he did not speak.
There seemed a sort of providen-
tial Interference in it. And he
had hardly seated himself when
the Postman handed him letter
from his mother.
Surprise, and then glad light,
broke over him as he read. 1t
was Edith and not Eleane, who
was to be married, and James
Preston had not robbed him after
all
The joy was so sudden and
great that bis uncle observed it
st once.
'Eb !! Jerold my boy, good news
from bome?' he said slapplng him
on the shoulder.
Yes uncle, very. Edith is tc
be married in the Spring, and this
letter announces the fact
and so you are delighted al
the prospect of loosing your
sister! Tut, tut, boy
No. uncle. But friend wrote
me that James Preston was to be
married and did not know il
was to Edith and -
You have made mistake. Ha
ha! III warrant you thought he
had stolen Jour lady love. Now
don't blush so. l can understand
your joy on discovering the mis-
taken idea,' and the old mar
chuckled at Jerold's very evi
dent confusion.
How he longed for the time tt
come when he could see the swee
face that he felt was indeet
Waiting for him. He under
stood noU the meaning Of tba
little word. And be answered
Harold's letter with so much o
the old time gayety Of tone tha
Eleane wondered at the suddel
change and a bitter thought aros'
in her mind. He had found new
ties and the old friendships wer
forgotten. She held no place il
his heart now, and she repentet
ever giving him the little menen
to. She fancied she was Otter
spoken of as 'Jerry's little Schoo
mate and her picture would b
passed around the group as it Wa
criticised. And she could hea
Jerold's merry laugh as be joine'
in. But, meanwhile, the antici
pated and eventful day was draw
ing near, and as she and Mimi
were to act as bridemaids the,
were quite busy. Edith had com
over and during the conversation
she laughed heartily as she re
marked.
%! Eleane I have a joke o.
you. Jerry thought it was 20
who were to marry James Pref
TOD, and uncle says be never say
such q sudden change from d.
spair to joy as mothers letter pre-
} duced when be discovered hi
mistake. He says Jerry is all lit
and smiles now.
Eleane did not reply, but sh
was happy. This, then, explaine
the cheerfuiness Of the letter, an
now she could meet him rs {