The Delaware farmer., 1883-08-24

9-u' AarVest moOn-as she sale,
.nrou8h the magnificent blue arch over
head. We talked long of the living and
the dead-of those whom distance had
separated from us, and of those whose
memory was still more sacred because
death had set its seal there.
We talked of Albert Thornton. and
then Margaret told me, for the first time
what peace and resignation had come
into her heart; and how patiently she
waited for the hour which should nnito
them again.
Then she talked of Albert's copsin
Flora, and told me how earnestly She
had hoped, all through the summer
that should see and become interested in
her; that it would have been so pleasant
to her to feel that, should she leave me
as she sometimes thought she should he
called to do, she should not leave me
comfortless. I was touched bv ber
tender care of me, which thus pointed
to my welfare, even when she should bo
no more.
Itmight have been ten o'clock. when
some one knocked at the front door and
asked if that was Mrs. Leighton's bonse
Hannah directed them, aud we heard
footsteps on Mrs. Leighton's grayelIed
walk, then joyful cry of recognition
and the low hum of conversation snc'
ceeding.
We were both silent-T, from strange
curiosity to know who was this STRANGER.
Margaret, because something. as She
afterward toldme, struck her as STRANGELY
familiar in the voice that asked for Mrs
Leighton. Then came step to the
our garden window, and FIora's voice
called us quickly and impatiently.
Come in, come in, Miss LEIGHTON +"
said. Margaret must not face this
night air. "
She came in, and seemed to hesitate
as rs to what she should say ordo. Woman
ike, she only burst into tears and sob
1ing.
Margaret was trembling on my arm
'ut she did not weep. A voice said
Have you told her, Flora May 1
ome now?'
1T is Albert p said my sister, in a
Whisper.
Hush, Margaret p I answered.
What folly is this ? You are mad to
link OF such thingr'
"It IS Albert, she said, calmly and
cry slowly.
lie heard the words, and the impru-
ent fellow, imagining all was explained.
lshed forward and clasped Margaret in
IS arms. The surprise had well NIGH
lied my poor sister, and Flora re-
'nted too late her indiscretion in not
'eparlng her better. Her sorrow was
real and genuine, that I undertook to
nsole her, much as I disIiked her
~ OF communicating the surprise to
We were all happier an hour after
rd, when Margaret was recovered
IN her temporary fainting, and was
ting With her hand clasped in Albert's
lie he recounted the circumstances
dung to the mistake that had been
de. He had been i'll for MANY davs
apparently dying; but could not ac.
mt for the announcement of his death
ne papers. AS soon as he saw it. it
contradicted, but we did not see the
tradlction, for our hearts were too
Wy for consulting the newspaper.
largarets life received new growth
the happiness that had come to
She would not renew her obiec-
S to marry Albert, because now she
that 1t was better to make tie most
fe while it lasts. She might. per
outllve him, even with her feeble
tn, and, at any rate, his constapcv
rved this reward.
le wedding was performed in the IL
lllage church, for so Margaret wilIed
nd Flora Leighton was her only
esmaid.
went back to town in November
Flora went with us. Albert had
'nted to stay in England. and we
one family. Margaret, still pale.
beautiful from the soft light of han
that beamed in her countenanee
IN stay and dependence in house
ng, aud Flora and myself had leis-
become acquainted. 1 saw her as
afectionate and true
leved that, while she was uncon-
OF her own feelings, she really
me, whom she had so avoided
ghout the summer. I had looked
r on the night of Albert,s ,.at,,rn