The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-02-03

4
tive of advanced age. Flattered as
was by the widows acceptance he
could not deny that it placed him in a
position IN some respects irksome. It
admonished him that he had no further
right to infirmities that henceforth
it was his bounden duty to be as young
as he could. The reflection worried
him; the clutching pain wearied him.
Mrs. Dubbs afterward said she had
never seen him SO nearly out Of sorts
as on that evening when she took in
his mail. Among the letters was one
that caught his eye at once:
| DEAR FRIEND lit ran)-.-.ssNl y Door
tired father is at rest. He was seized
with paralysis this morning after you
left US, and passed away painlessly in
few hours. How little anti ipated
this event when we talked together !
Ny hands were full then; now they
are very empty. My work here is done.
1t you still believe could make happy
the kind friend who has always been
our benefactor, should be glad to see
you. Yours sincerely,
OLIVE WAYNE. 2
Mr.. Phoenix read this misslve, re-
read it, shut it into the book of Job,
safe from prying Mrs. Dubbs, and then
drummed uneasily on the closed Bible.
What predicament! Must he thrust
back upon Olive the gift for which he
had SO lately sued? Must he thus
humble her9 He writhed at the very
thought. Must she humble herself?
More bitter than all, must he relin-
quish this tried friend of lifetime :
Having reached life's autumn, must
he reject mature and appropriate fruits
for the rhhbarb and green's of spring
time! Alas, yes; he must fulfill his
engagement, for was he not an honor
able man? He would write at once
to Olive a candid statement of the
| case.
But while he idled at his desk on
the morrow, Mr.. Torrey came to ask
the loan of horse till his own should
be in running order, and the deacon
laid down his pen witha sigh of in
tense relief.
Feeling that he ought to tell his
brother-in-law of his contem plated
marriage, at dinner he led the CONVEX
sation back to the conference and Mrs.
Vance.
"By-the-by, I met the widow this
morning riding with John Vance, re-
marked Mr.. Torrey, casually. "You
remember him-the brother next to
Charles? He's just home from Ca.ifor-
MIA, with his pockets full
tAh?''
eyes. Shouldn't wonder if he took
the widow. Some say they re engaged
already
Of course the deacon knew better
than that; nevertheless he delayed his
tender confession. And he did not
write the letter. Time enough for that
after he had paid Mrs. Vance the prom
ised visit. The latter lady had GER
tainly the first claim upon his atten-
lions.
Unfortunately several days Of tor
menting pain ensued, during which
the deacOn's patience was put to pref
ty severe test; but he was at last able
to seek the object Of his hasty choice.
He found her in the door-yard, playing
croquet with tall, we'll dressed gentle
man.
$50 happy to see you, Deacon Phe-
nix!' cried she with voluble embarrass-
ment, s'and so glad to introduce Mr..
Vance, dear Charles brother. Do come
i'm ~
81 hope my tardy coming does not
seem discourteous, Mrs. Vance, said
he with affable formality, while the
stranger fastened to a suddenly re-
called engagement. 81 have not
"No-oh, no. broke in the widow,
nervously.
81 have not been well. Otherwise,
under our present interesting rela-
20, Mr.. Phenix!'' interrupted she
throwing herself upon cricket at his
feet. ''Do you know am so afraid I
am not the one to make you happy :?
And my friends say the discrepancy
in our ages is too great. Ought I to
marry against their wishes e.
"You must decide that question,
dear madam responded the deacon
with suppressed eagerness. The fin
ger of Providence was in this. He held
his breath to make sure which way it
pointed.
'sThen,if you don't mind very much,
Deacon Phoenix, perhaps it would be
better for US to part as friends. o,
dear! I hope you'll forgive me if I've
done anything wrong
The deacon hardly heard the clos
ing sentence for the glad beating of
his heart. my dear child, you have
done quite right. I do not repIoach
you,' said he, with smile Of infinite
benevolence. 'It is natural that youth
should choose to wed with youth. .
ssAnd that age should wed with
age" he added, mentally, as, with an
adieu almost paternal, he drove away
in the direction of Miss Olives.
He and Miss Wayne were married
the following October, but Mr.. and
Mrs. Vance waited till Christmas
Harper's Bazaar.
What He Knew of English.
| I heard a funny story Of a little Bos,
| ton boy the other day, which I think
has never been in print. His father
ho1 onnnco6 hinco]f hu TOO chin " II q