Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-12-29

her husbands body. The undertaking
was an immense one, and, on reaching
New York, she succumbed to a severe
illness. through which Nina had nursed
her, and with whom she had remained
ever since.
Here Harry asked me when we were
going East.
i had just received letter from Nina,
begging me to come home in time to re-
ceive New Year calls with her, and
reminding me that we had not all held
the watch together since that night so
memorable to her. / handed the letter
to Harry. saying: I'VE will go on Tues
day."
Il will 60. too" said he. decidedly.
/ only needed one look into his eyes
to know his purpose.
go with u.s." said ].
Probably will" replied he; "but
L will see you again." and, bidding
mamma goodbye. he was gone.
On Tuesday, as we were starting. a
telegram came from Harry saying that
he could not leave, but adding that he
certainly would keep watch with us New
Years Eve.
When we were fairly at home, 1 told
Nina, and we both concluded that il
was best not to mention anything about
him to Hildegard, lest something I'M
foreseen should cause disappoint-
ment.
On New Years Eve we talked of girl.
hood days and doings. 1t had been
fifteen years since we had held our
mountain watch. Nina and were de.
cidedly nervous, no word having come
of Harry arriving. Hildegard seemed
depressed. About eleven O. clock. Adele,
her husband, and papa. came in to help
us watch; so at a quarter of twelve
o clock we formed quite a party. At
ten minutes of twelve Mr. Farquhar
threw back the stained glass doors that
closed off the third room, and, seating
ing himself before the organ, said he
would play the Doxology; we all fol
lowed, and. ranging ourselves in Cir
Gle. awaited the striking of the hour.
Hildegard alone was not OF the number;
she had been standing in che of the
windows, evidently wrapped IL Thought.
Amidst a light-falling snow a sleigh
dashed up to the door, and a gen
tleman leaped out The porter had
the door open by the time the visitof
reached the steps. The transit from
sleigh to the parlor had not taken more
than minute, and Hildegard. sur
prised out of action, had only turned
and faced the door. Her whole couute-
nance must have told how thank
full she was to see Harry again. for in an
instant he embraced her right heartily.
Then we all came forward to extend
welcome. Nina would not let Harry
leave the house, but insisted upon max
ing it his home during his visit Then
we sang the DoAology, some minutes
after twelve.
AS we finished, Mina's maid tapped
at the door, calling her away moment.
Harry and Hildegard wandered down
the parlor. Nina looked in, saving:
"Our dresses came an hour ago, and
Marie has laid them out for us to see.
Come up stairs"
Hildegard took no notice of the H.
vitatiOn; so we went without interrupt
ing her conversation, which for the next
half hour formed a sort of low obligato
accompaniment to certain improvisa
tons upon the organ. wherein Mr..
Farquhar gave utterance to memories
aroused by this anniversary of his be-
trothal
Once in Mina's exquisite little bou-
DOR, she and L rapturously embraced
each other; we did not speak, but we
felt pretty sure that at last all would
60 well with Hildegard; and it made us
very happy. Then Adele's eXclama-
tons of admiration drew our attention
tn hn 4.
morrow. From this we fell to discuss
ing the number ofcalls we hoped to re-
ceive; for we had each sent cards to
the friends we hal made since our sep
aration: and so on, until Nina reminded
us that she had ordered little supper
laid, and that it was probably waiting at
that moment.
We hurried down stairs to find her
prediction true. When we were seated
at the table, she said
Papa, cant you give us a speechP"
g think l had better defer to Mr..
Fenton," said Mr.. Farquhar. and then
bowling to Harry: Your voice will at
least have the merit of novelty to ouI
party" whereupon Harry arose and
said, with preparatory ahem!
Ladies' and gentlemen" and then
dropping the mimic air, proceeded:
Dear friends-I am overllowing with
joy. / have this night satisfactorily
concluded an affair which undertook
unsuccessfully fifteen years ago to-
night. Since then / have lived in the
shadow of the great grief in which that
failure enveloped me. Black as the
darkness of the night into which
stepped when left our mountain watch,
was the sorrow bore with me. Bright
as the light of this luxurious. hospitable
home, and of your beaming faces, is the
radiant Joy bear. Hildegard will be
my wife. Congratulate me, and will
heartily wish you each what this assures
to me-a happy New Year,
On Hildegard's face there was a rest
full happiness expressed, which no mortal
had ever seen there before. The un-
satisfied expression was gone. And we
united in wishing Harry what /. patient
reader now wish you-A Happy New
1ear!-GOdey's Ladys Book.