The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1883-10-21

inclined to giddiness-Aunt Es became to-
tally metamorphosed.
She suddenly became a hard person to deal
with when it came to buying, and a sharp
bargainer-greedy for money! Nothing
could equal her business zeal, except the zeal
and ardor of Karel.
But it was not so ea5y to make money after
all. The larger dealers absorbed all the
trade. The combined efforts of the be-
trothed resulted in little or nothing. Then
he tried to deal in higher priced cigars,
while she ventured to speculate in the
famous Bath paper, just imported from
France. But this double commercial opera
ton was doubly disastrous, and almost re-
suited in b~ankrupting the little underground
stationery store and the puny cigar business,
together with all the matrimonial hopes of
the lovers.
LET us not go so fast, - they said to one
another, terrified at their audacity; 'let US
leave speculations alone. We know what we
have got, and WI don't know what we might
get. Waiti well pull through all right in
time anyhow
And they waited. They continued to live
side by side, in that tender and discreet in
timacy which their betrothal permitted-rich
in love and richer in hope.
As for hope, indeed, their hearts were full
TO bursting with it. And they nursed illu-
SlOfS VIII IOthAub was tNtl JIG "
and long caressed projects for the future,
eternal projects which they chatted about
every evening over and over again-she sit
ting behind her counter, and he before it, gaz-
ing at her with ecstacy. Sometimes it was a
bureau they had caught a glimpse of in a
Kalverstraat store, and which they would
buy for the bedroom the very day they
should begin housekeeping; sometimes, again,
they would discuss how the children should be
ILL - -.--&
to begin with; she would prefer a son.
One evening she expressed a new whim-
"Dost know" tthey always thee'd-and-
thou'd each otherlE"dost know what we
must dot Thou wilt doubtless say l am
foolish, yet | have my heart set upon it.
We must buy between us, a lottery ticket"
The Dutch government maintains n lot
terry, and derives a considerable revenue
therefrom. The drawing is conducted by
series of numbers, and is prolonged for
several weeks. The capital prize of 100000
forms is always drawn on the last day. Now
the ticket which Aunt Ess bought bore a
number which had not been drawn Oh the
previous days, and therefore had a chance
in the great and last chance.
Fancy for yourself how they must have
been building castles-in-the-air for a few
few days before the drawingi
"If you see me coming in a carriage to-
morrow night" said Karel to Aunt Ess,
then you may be sure our ticket hns drawn
the capital prize
And next day Aunt Ess was at her door
very early in the morning. How impatient
she wasl Every time she saw a carriage APP
preaching her heart palpitated violently.
Luckily there were but few carriages that
day Upon the Amsterdam quays. At last,
however, her brain suddenly reeled. She felt
that she had turned white as death. A vigil
lante cab nae hailed right before her door.
She caught a glimpse of Karel's head in the
doorway. In one second all the projects
nursed for so many long years rushed through
her mind. 1t was hers at last, then-that
happiness so earnestly prayed for. There
could be no question about 1t; they had won
in the lottery; for Karel was in a carriage.
Then she ran to the door of the cab, which
opened slowly. Karel's face was terribly
agitated.
'what hast thouf' she asked all trembling.
SIS it the capital prizeF'
NO. he replied; but l have broken my
leg"
She nursed him there, in her shop-gave up
| her armoire to him. and contented herself
with sleeping on n chair. When he was fully
restored again, he recommended his cigar
trade.
And thus it was that .yeays and years
| passed by, that disillusions succeeded to disil-
lusions, without ever breaking down their
faith in a better future; and side by side they
grew old, never perceiving that their brows
were w~rinkling-that she was 6Ethat he
was 40, and that even their health was grow
ing feebler and feebler.
Aunt Ess was very sick, but she said moth
ing about it to any one. She was dying with
consumption, but mastered herself sufficiently
to carry on her little business in some sort of
fashion. After all, she suffered very little
pain, never murmured, and never even
dreamed of calling in a doctor.
One day, feeling herself weaker than
usual, she retained her betrothed with her,
although he had an order for twenty-five
cigars to FILL They talked a great deal.
Their eternal hopes seemed nearer of realiza
ton than ever. interchangeable as ants, the
two lovers had finally been able to lay some
money by. They now needed only half the
sum-that would only be the work of a few
years.
Whilskhey were talking together the night
came-a lukewarm autumn night. Aunt Ess
was feeling very we'll.
81 have an ideai' she said. "Seei we are
old now, after all. 1t is very likely we shall
have no children. Suppose we content our
selves with the little we have-to get married
uponr'
He thought that was very reasonable.
What was the use, in fact, of waiting any
longerf Yes, yesl they would marry with
out further delay. She had taken his hand
in hers, pressed it with force-then she had
closed her eyes.
"Well. then, it is settled" he said to her;
II will have everything arranged at once"
She did not answer him.
He went out on tiptoe, very softly, think
ing her fast asleep.
She was dead.
When ] returned to Amsterdam the last
time ] saw at my friends house n tall and
powerfully built old man, all clad in black.
1t was Aunt Ess' betrothed.
The poor woman's relatives bad taken care
OF him; they surrounded him with kindly
care and airectionate consolation. He Is still
one OF the family circle.