The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-12-27


else why are beautiful things scattered all
along our path and why are we given
faculties to appreciate them.
Frank and Barbara had been schoolmates
not SO very long ago, buthe had been away
from the neighborhood several years and
vas only there for short vacation now.
" I shall be off to business in day or two
and then suppose you will forget all about
me and the delightful time we have had to-
day. he said as they drove homeward in the
moonlight, af N SIS
ooh !" somehow the Thought of his
going away brought cloud over Barbara's
expressive face. Frank observed it and was
greatly encouraged thereby. He had always
liked little Barbara Cunningham in tho old
days, and now he Thought her the lovelest
girl in the world
Presently their conversation drifted away
into a soberer channel and Frank told her
something of his plans in life and how he
hoped to get into business near home by
another year. Barbara was glad of that and
expressed her satisfaction so openly that he
was very near asking her to help make a
home for him wherever he was; but the
thought of john Barclay restrained him.
He would have given great deal Just then
to know if there was any truth in the rumor
of their approaching marriage,
Barbara was thinking of John Barclay too.
She had learned something during that long
happy day spent with Frank Hamlin; and
although she would not acknowledge even
to herself that she was in love with this old
friend who had never spoken word of love
to her, still she realized now, if never before,
her utter lack Of that feeling for John with
out which marriage would be mockery.
And yet she felt SO weak and helpless in her
mothers strong hands that her heart failed
her as she thought of it. Oh if she only
bad some one to advise her
az wonder why John Barclay was not ct
;he fair" Frank said so OPPORTUNITY that
Barbara started, little guilty. az saw
him this morning and supposed he was on
his way there"
"He seemed to have broken some part of
bis harness." Frank went on as Barbara did
not reply, "and judging from appearances
thought he had been up to old Mr.. Cor
wins for something to fix it up with"
Still Barbara did not utter word, she
was thinking, poor child, that If she must
marry John, this had been an unfortunate
day since it had given her q glimpse of joy
and warmth which only made her fortune
appear colder by the contrast.
Frank wondered at her silence and glancing
towards her saw that her eyes were filled
with tears.
"Barbara darling" he cried impulsively,
"what is it that troubles you ?"
Barbara's face went down in her hands,
and Frank, forgetting John Barclay, forget
ting everything but passionate love and pity
for this girl, hurried on. az love you
Barbara, loae you. Only tell me your
trouble and will do anything to help you |"
In Ave minutes more Barbara was sobbing
out the whole miserable story in his arms.
"And Oh Frank" she said piteously In con-
clusion, "they will marry me to him in spite
of myself.
:. Navar.n daalarad Frenls asssAly. s-sz-
Frank, said Barbara, breaking blissful
silence ~ have a confession to make, and
you must promise not to think me silly"
Frank gave the promise readily enough,
with some eulogistic remarks on her good
sense which it is needless to record Barba-
IA laid her small hand over his mouth.
You don't know how weak and foolish I
have been, am sure l always liked you
better than anybody else but I did not real
ize it until to-day. You have been away SO
long, and--and, Oh Frank, am ashamed to
tell you, but when you asked mo to go to the
fair should have refused il l had not heard
about your lovely new harness. The girls
we're all talking about 1t and had such
desire to drive out with il that / could not
-qfuso even though John expected me to go
with him. And then this morning. here
Barbara broke down, and Frank was obliged
to resort to a variety of absurd encourag.
ments before she could be induced to go on.
"And then this morning I was SO terribl.
afraid Of mamma and John that IL he had
come first | should have gone with him."
"Hurrah I" cried Frank, !" feel Ike Civ
ing three cheers because bought a harness
the other day and John Barclay didn't; for
don't you see Barbara if his old harness
hadn't broke down he would have arrived at
your house first and then should have
gone away without seeing you again. Oh
it was fate my darling, and we can defy
anybody to separate us now"
YES" said Barbara blissfully, ait was
fate in a set of harness."