The Penn's Grove record., 1883-11-24

was not told to her, but she gathered it
bit by bit from their remarks.
"Only to think now. that that man
was nothing but an impostor after ALL"
cried Mrs. Langmore, sinking into a
chair; sand living in such place as Cray
land Towers, too. No wonder, indeed.
we were taken in by him; and then
to find out that he is actually ruinedi
"And what is more to you, I'm ru-
ined, too" growled Mr.. Langmore,
plunging his hands frantically into his
trousers pockets. "Why ma'am are
you ware what you have spent enter
tanning himp"
"Don't put it on me, 3" cried the wife;
II invited him, and that you
know"
"No; and you never wanted 10 marry
him to n of your daughters either, /
suppose" sneered the husband.
1--WE wouldn't have had him, - cried
the girls Indignantly. "The idear'
"Sour grapes" snarled Mr.. Lang
more, maliciously.
Fancy the bailiffs in possession of
Crayland Towers" sighed Mrs. Lang
more. "And L really did think one of
you would have it,"
"It's a horrid place." said Rose,
GLOOMY and full of ghosts; but l must
say Mr.. Raby has Behaved very badly"
"Hashe lost everything?"a sken Efie,
the color coming and going in her face
It's he very poo now?"
They all looked up at her in surprise.
She never, as a rule, ventured to speak
till she was spoken to.
| eyes, Miss Impudence," was the re-
ply. she hasn't a brass farthing left.
and the worst of it is, they say he has
defrauded his creditors"
81 am Sc sorry-so sorryl' said Efie,
gently. "Poor Mr.. Rabyi' and she
crept away, her eyes filled with tears.
Three weeks later Efie was sitting
upon the green, shady banks of the
pool thinking of Mr.. Raby.
Presently another face mingled with
her own upon the surface of the water.
She uttered a glad cry, and in another
moment she was clasped by two strong
arms.
"'Efiel my little Efiei have you for
gotten what boon you told me you
would ask the fairies if you might have
your choice?"M Nj. Raby asked, tenderly
looking down into her changing face.
Eyes! l remember" she whispered
gently.
"Would you ask it still, Efie?"
Yes, still-ever-always."
"Eyen though your lover were poor,
Efie, very poor?"
And her lips framed Eyes"
He stopped to hear it, and her soft
breath upon his cheek answered him.
"Efie, my child, my darling, you
have your wish. The fairies have an
swered you. L love you, little Efie.
| Will you come to mep VIII you be my
little wife, and love and comfort me
always ?"
Across her face there spread a halo
which he never forgot, and without a
word of promise she nestled like a tired
| child into the arms he had opened to
receive her. He went with her back to
the house and saw Mr.. Langmore, who
heard him scornfully, and with laugh
ter said
1T was one beggar asking for anoth-
er, but if the girl had a mind to marry
he'd no objection it would say him
something. When would he like to
take her?'
There was a lurking light of mischief
in MI. Raby's eyes, but he answered
demurely.
she must strive to prepare a little lit
tie home, first of course; about Christ
mas he hoped to be able to claim her,"
Efie's engagement was now the con-
slant joke; commented upon with many
a taunt and jest, as they struck it like a
shuttlecock from one to the other; but
Efie had a glad warm joy that filled her
pure young heart, and no unkindness
would harm her. The arrows of malice
glanced aside. The roses bloomed in
her cheeks, and a new born radiance
filled her eyes.
1t was Christmas morn when they
were married in the little church to
which Efie had stolen away alone, Sum
day after Sunday, whenever opportunity
offered.
No one went with her to the wedding.
Her lover waited by the garden-gate to
lead her " the slippery ground, and
she walked with happy bushes by his
side.
She had bid good bye to all, but none
had prayed God to bless her. She had
done her best to make her shabby
clothes look better, but King Cophetua's
bride could have been more poorly clad.
The ceremony over they went to the
hotel and had a simple repast. Then
he took her hands In his, looked into her
eyes and asked:
GiiC, uO JOo hHOn Wndb ldltil lbE
sit is to believe in what you do not,
understand, is 1t not, dearp" she quietly
answered.
"Yes, darling. And if / asked. you
to do something which you could not
understand, and regarded as a strange
and unheard of request, would you have
faith enough in me to follow out nv
wishes without a word of question?
Could youtrust me entirely and blindly
Efie?n
Eyes, DEAR" she said, a sweet conf
ding smile upon her lips.
"Then come here, my wife"
She drew yet nearer to him, and he
took from his pocket a folded handker-
chief, with which he bandaged her eyes.
He saw that her lips still smiled, and he
stopped to kiss them. He led her by
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