The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-03-10

"Major Cotton was absent from town
when we took our departure, and I was
thus spared the trial of looking my last
upon one whom could not help loving,
and from whom was SO strangely sep
arated.
1--WE returned to New York in four
months after, without again visiting
Liverpool. We wore staying at Flor
cnce when your mother received let
ter informing her of the dangerous ILL
ness of her father, Fastening our de-
parture for home, but all too late; when
we arrived in New York your grand
father was no more.
"But it is growing late. it u time to
dress for dinner. There is the carriage
stopping at the door and your mother
and sisters have returned from their
drive"
"You have not told me all, aunt"
Tears glistened in Mays eyes as she
spoke.
(" have little more to say. The sad
sequel can be told in q few words.
Adele was married to the Major shortly
after my return home" Aunt Mabel
sighed deeply, and after brief pause
continued. "Alas, in one short year
after. my poor cousin was laid in her
grave, with her babe beside her. Her
death must have been q great blow to
her parents, who did not long survive
her." +.
"And Major Cotton, what became of
himp''
''Some time after his name was prom
inent among the officers who had won
distinction for military service, and for
what civilization lauds as valor. have
not heard of him since"
'Aunt Mabel, do you care for him
YETI" asked May, earnestly.
| At this moment Mrs. Derwent entered,
q pleasant smile on her handsome face
as she said gaily, IL have news for you,
Mabel, Herbert is to bring home an old
friend of yours to dine and spend the
evening, Major Cotton, ah. ! should
have said Colonel Cotton. for he holds
that rank now. He is on his way to
Canada where his regiment is quar-
tered"
May listened, her large eyes opening
wider with wonder something else
besides. Still later in the day that
young lady watched the meeting be-
tween Aunt Mabel and Colonel Cotton;
but she was not surprised as were her
parents at the formal politeness on
either side. No one, indeed, would
have suspected that deep emotion lay
hidden under that cold exterior. and that
both throbbing hearts were young again
under the spell of dream that never
dies.
The Colonel was a tall, fine looking
hero, bronzed, handsome and gray,
with manners more sociable and pleas
ing than in his younger days. May and
he were soon on the best of terms. She
had her own motives for engaging his
attentions to herself, and during the
evening she drew him aside to table
where her aunt was seated, to all APP
pearances deeply occupied in overlook
ing some engravings. An arch smile
fitted over Mays face, "a she said:
"Should you like TO look at my val
entines, Colonelp'
She spoke with that freedom which
beauties of seventeen sometimes as
sumo, and as she placed them before
him, she added with another arch smile
"Did you ever send q valentine, Colo
nel?'
"Yes, once" he replied, sharply,
while he unconsciously crushed the
pretty triile he held in his hand. But
hisstormentor went on.
"Aunt Mabel never received but one
valentine, and that was many years
ago, yet she treasures it as something
sacred"
The pleading look in Aunt Mabers
eyes silenced her, and had the elder
lady remained in the room she would
have said no more. But fate willed it
otherwise. The Colonel noticed that
look of entreaty and the blush that &C
companied it. His eyes fondly fol-
lowed the retreating form when May
said half penitently:
II can hardly forgive myself for di-
vulging her secret, conflded to me this
morning."
"What do you mean, childP' the
Colonel asked with increasing agitation.
lit is too late to retreat now, Colo
NEIL" she answered, the arch smile still
playing around her dimpled cheeks.
'sAunt Mabel loved the one who sent
her that valentine. But you yourself
must ask her for an explanation. I
have said too much alreaoy."
The Colonel did ask for an explana-
ton that night. The result was that
Aunt Mabel went as happy bride to
Canada.-MassacAstsetts Pl0ughman.