The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1882-05-25
VOLUME X.

hlCk, Dut, lot I'LL tll0C, the ring nc gave
me goes back to him tomorrow unless I
wish that we had never mct?'
But she did not hear from him that
night, and tho next day the little band of
gold was released from its hiding-placc
in her thick brown hair, and too faith
full messenger placed it in Kicks hands
as he left his place of business. But, ah!
what 4 silent, sorrowful maiden wan
dcred about the Lounsberry dwelling
thereafter! what q listless, weary voice
repeated the nursery rhymes that baby
demanded fifty times day!
NO nicc-no more," said baby, miss
ing the merry tones and the happy
laugh.
But Mrs. Lounsbcrry was not at all dis
pleased with the turn affairs had taken.
Broughlm Brown suited her much bet
ter us a prospective son-in-law than Rich
ard Creighton. One was Il wealthy,
young brewer, the other !, poor clerk in
Il contingencies.
Lefty will soon get over it," she SAID
to Letty's father, whose heart achcd ut
first-love disappointment is always hard
to bear fora while. I thought i should
have died when Stephen Ford married
my cousin; but didn't. I lived to mar
~ you, and l have a scal-skin cloak, and
Mrs. Ford hasn't even q Jacket"
And SO Brougllam Brown, who was
really a manly, generous, good-hcartcd
fellow III spite of his beer and wealth, en-
cOuragcd by the maternal head Of the
house, began dcvoting himsclfin the most
ardent fashion to Lefty; and she, seeing
her mothers pleasure thcrc,t, and hear
ing no words from Rick, received
his attentions in Il passive, unresponsiyc
way.
Three months went by, and it was Aunt
Emory'S birthday, and that eccentric old
lady had decided to lcvide it among the
family, lunchiny with one portion, dim
ing with another, and supping with third.
The lunch party was given at her sister
Lctitia's (Nlrs. Lounsbcrry) and some
half 4 dozen old friends and some dozen
in a sca-green gown (Rick' s favoritc gown,
with a spray Of pink hyacinths (Rick's
favorite spring t1ower) il, her hair, went
quietly about welcoming the guests.
Brougham Brown following her like her
shadow, until lunch was announced.
Then taking her place at the table, the
young man still near her. she raised the
cover from and dipping the spoon into
the last jar Of grandmama' $ famous peach
marlnalade {shc had had it placed before
her, trusting to be able to hide the mis-
chief Baby had donc), when somebody
said, addressing her mother; "Have vol,
heard that Richard Creighton is going
abroad for his health? He has given ND
his situation, and sails III il day or two.
They say he has failed fast lately"
And the very next moment Aunt En-
DRY fixed her specialized eyes upon her
nicce's poor, pale face, and asked, sharp
ly: "What's the matter child? DO YOU
see anything dreadful in the swccts?"
mo, lna'am," answered Lefty, with Il
pitiful attempt at Il smile, when the spoon
struck something harder than preserved
peaches should be.
q Let nc help you," said Broughaln;
and with one turn of his wrist he placed
upon the dainty china shell before her
Il wad Of paper.
"And 50 that is the last of the cc]ebrat-
cd marmaladc, is it?'' said Aunt Emory.
Il don't want any. l prefer my sweets
,mnixcd with unknown foreign substance
es. Take it away, Norah."
But Lefty was already slowly unrolling
the paper lit proved to be the missing
part Of the jars original hat)- rather
difficult thing to accomplish as it stuck
persistenly to her small fingers, but
accomplished ut last, when out rolled the
little gold pig. And on the inside of
the paper was scrawlcd, i'll Kicks bold
hand, these words:
'MY DAnL1NG,-How foolish we are
| mean, am! Here is the charm Miss
Farian had it about ten minutes last
night-only long enough to show it to
will give it to you. Had no paper, SO I
tore u piece off one of your jam pots
Will see you to-morrw evening Rick"
Never did any young lady so suddenly
break through all the convcntionalities
Of society, never did daughter so quickly
forget the wishes of her mother, never
did niece so unflinchingly brave the dis
pleasure Of Il Observation-Disclosures,
us did Lcttic Lolnsberry the instant af-
ter she had read this note.
"Brougham," she cried, lookingat him
with beautiful, beseeching eyes, II must
see Rick" I must-I must You will
go and bring him to me, ttcar?"
lit was the first time she had ever
called him ''dear," and, alas! he felt that
it would be the last) For a moment he
pulled his long mustache nervously. ave
arc not very good friends you know" at
last he said.
eyes, I know But I am to blame for
e!AssU wv, ottlO lClty IOt-
Rick
And the good fellow, hesitating no long
CT, turned from that imploring face, and
with Il Juggling at his heart-strings, went
off to seek his rival. He found him, and
brought him back to the girl they both
loved.
And what do you think Aunt Emory
did?-Aunt Emory, who had declared
| over and over again that only as Mrs
Brougham Brown, Lefty should inherit
any of her money. LEFT the house i'll u
passion:" Not a bit of it. She laughed
and laughed until she could laugh no
longer.
"Now I shall have something now to
tell folks" she said. '"Thcy must be tired
and sick ofmy ldyarns. I'm sure I am.
Love: gold pigs, jealousy, and marmaladc
all mixed up together. It's one of the
funniest things ever heard in all my life"
"l'm glad YOU think So" said Mrs.
Lounsberry. T" It don't strike me that
way. What are they going to live on?'
'Oh, I'll look after them," said Aunt
Emory; and her remark makes very
good ending to this real sweet story.