The Osceola times. [volume] (Osceola, Ark.) 1870-current, 1881-07-16

1t did not occur to him that it was odd
that lady, and so refined and parlicuhl
a LADY as Miss COurtenay, should mIk,
so decided an overture. The mist If
twenty years cleared away, and be saw
before him but the girl bride, anxious 10
be forgiven and to be taken again into
favor.
He rose from his chair rather slowly
and tremblingly it must be allowed, and
respectfully salutei her. A flush O.
pleasure overspread Margareps usually
pale cheek.
1T is no use trying TO make talk when
both our hearts are full of the same
thoughts" said he, as he drew his chair
close TO hers, and managed to possess
himself OF her hand. at is twenty
years since we parted, Margaret, and yet
love you as dearly at iorty-hye as did
at twenty-five, and sometimes | have
dared to hope that you have not forgot
ten me-"
"No, John, have never forgotten
you, she replied, softly.
And have you forgiven me?" he
asked.
81 was misinformed, There was moth.
ing to forgive"
"You were too hard upon me, it is
true, Margaret, and it cost Us twenty
years of unhappiness."
why did you not speak sooner,
John?'
Because, Margaret, was determined
that the first overtures should come from
you"
From mel" said Aunt Margaret flush
ing. How could you expect me to
make oyertures to your
But YOU have done So" he returned,
bending toward her as though again To
caress her.
What do you mean?" she cried, draw
ing herself away.
may, nav" said John Elwell. sooth-
ingly; "you must know, Margaret, that
you made the first advances"
81 did no such thing" returned Mar
gaIet.
81 should never have spoken had you
not said"
"WhatP'
"Well- Kiss me-"
"Kiss me-" again echoed through the
room; and then followed the sound of u
kiss and whisper OF "Oh, you darling!
"There is some one in the next roomv
cried Mr.. Elwell, and they sprang apart
like guilty creatures.
81 am sorry, Aunt Margaret" cried
Nellie, eve did not mean ~ be caves
troopers, but ! was SO wet when J got in
from my ride that | came to warm my
feet before going up to dress, and Harry
came in with me-"
"The mystery is solved" said Nellie
rising and gathering up her habit. New.
ertheless, Aunt Margaret, | am rather
surprised at your conduct
81 shall be surprised if you are not
late for dinner, Miss Nellie" said Aunt
Margaret, "unless you 20 upstairs at
once"
quite true; there goes the first bell.
Come along, Harry, for you can't appear
in boots and CATERS"
And will you allow me to register n
vow in your behalf some time next
month";
said Margaret, blushing.
II have lost twenty years, and will
wait no longer" cried John Elwell, and
Margaret felt there was nothing more to
be said.
The dinner party was long in muster
ing that evening. Nellie and Harry were
late, of course, but Aunt Margaret, the
precise Aunt Margaret, who had been
dressed an hour ago, what could she
mean by keeping the soup waiting
Even when the truants did appear they
were so quiet that Mr.. Courtenay rallied
them on their gravity.
"Ihe weather must have affected you"
he said 'you are all as dull as ditch
water, Bring round the wine, Smith
to the butler.
"You are not vexed with me, Aunt
Margaret ?" said Nellie, in the course OF
the evening.
mo, dearest; am not vexcd."
81 really came in TO warm my feet,
you know; and, auntie, dear, | am 30
glad; | know all about it. Mr.. Elwell is
the man you ought TO have married
years ago, and now you have made it up
again, and papa is so pleased, and 30 are
we all"
at was the parrots doing" said Aunt
Margaret.
"St. Valentines, you mean; and he
manged another match, too" and Nellie
lowered her voice to a whisper. "Some-
how or other kept tumbling over my
habit as | went up stairs, and Harry
was obliged to help me, and when we
reached the landing"
"Well Nellie?"
Harry said that he did not think St.
Valentines advice should be thrown
away, and so he kissed me-and-and-
and we are engaged, Aunt Margaret"
The double wedding took place early
in the spring, and | never heard that
any of the parties ever repented taking
st. Valentines advice. The parrot was
always a great fayorte with both the
brides; she lived to an honored and re.
spected old age, and in the family ever
after went by the name of "The Match
MakerD