Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-03-01

| AND TO thlnK That While you have
been having such a struggle with pov.
erty, have been living in luxury, with
the exception of being hungry for a
sight OF your dear face. Why did you
not came to me, Minnie?"
well, Frank, pride kept me away,
for one thing, and for another, knew
how honorable you were, and that you
would keep your troth with me, but
was afraid you might feel as though
you were sacrificing yourself in wed
ding me-not Minnie Osborne. the rich
mans daughter, but Minnie Osborne
the poor saleswoman.
'No, Minnie, it can be no sacrifice,
for / loved you for yourself alone, and
with q love which comes only once in
a mans lifetime" replied Frank, ear
nestly.
"Wcll, Frank" said Minnie, "the
present is 50 happy and beautiful, that
| can almost forget the dark, weary
past. have learned many good les
sons in the school of sorrow and trial,
and though we have suffered much,
my faith in Him would careth for the
widow and the fatherless, has never
wavered, and / thank him tonight for
having brought us together again. In
deed, Frank, | am, trust, better
woman and q better Christian for hav-
ing walked in the paths of the lowly"
you have always been an angel in
my eyes, darling and the thought of
your purity and beauty of character
has spurred me on to try to keep in the
straight and marrow way, and, thank
God, by His grace and assistance, |
have succeeded, and with you | feel
grateful to Him who has permitted us
10 meet tonight"
"Well, Frank here we are, at our
mansion" laughed Minnie, "you can
never carry those baskets up three
flights of stairs alone, let me help
you.
"Oh, can carry them easily enough,
only you lead the way said Frank.
There was happy party in the lit
tie low back room that night, and
Frank who had always been a ia gorite,
was welcomed by Mrs. Osborne, Maud
and Jamie in manner so cordial, as
showed that they were glad to see him
once more, not for the good things and
the help and comfort he had brought
them, but for him alone. After the
greetings were over, and there was a lit
tic lull in the conversation, Frank told
Mrs. Osborne of the stranger ne had
met at Parkers, giving description
of his personal appearance.
ooh, know it is roy brother John"
she exclaimed" and the sight of him
will make me well again. Dear, dear fel-
low, when can ] zee him ?"
"You can see him tonight, if can
find him." answered Frank, SIT is not
very late, and think ne will be at Par
ker's now. At any rate I'll go and
see."
He went, and returned in about half
an hour with the stranger, who was, in
deed, Mrs. Osborne's dearly loved
brother, whom she had mourned as
dead. 1t was happy meeting if the
place was poor, and they eat and
talked until Christmas was ushered in,
and the bells. of Christ's church pealed
forth their chimes.
SO the Christmas eve which had
seemed so dark and dreaiy to Min
ME rs she was going home from the
store, proved to be the happiest she
had ever experienced for out of deep
sorrow had come great joy.
Mrs. Osborne's brother explained
that he had gone into the interior of
Australia, and had not heard from his
sister since that time, the letters on
both sides having been miscarried.
The gentlemen took their leave in
the "wee sma' hours" and in each
heart was the feeling of Peace on
earth, good will to men" and thankful
ness to the Giver of all good for the
way in which be had led them through
all their trials to the ultimate happi-
ness of the end.
Before they left matters had been ar
ranged so that on New Years day
there was to be quiet wedding and
Minnie Osborne was to become Mrs.
Frank Johnson. Frank was to go in
TO business with Mr.. John Drake. Mrs.
Osborne's brother, who was to become
a silent partner. They even went so
far as to plan a trip to Europe in the
summer, and though Minnie said she
thought they were looking too far
ahead, she was too happy to spoil the
bright air castles by not giving her as
sent 10 N the t1rOpOsitinns and nlaps