The Delaware farmer., 1883-08-24

tuut SIT utu Il COAupdLllOu ouOu do ohO
described Flora Leighton. She had
told Flora all, and was startled, and
perhaps gladdened by finding that she
? was the daughter of Mrs. Thornton's
sister Albert Thornton was therefore
the playmate of Flora's childhood, and
the friend Of her girlhood's days. She
too mourned his death with the sorrow
of a tender heart that resembles those
dear ones with an added love, "when
love is joined to death. "
It was near the close of summer.
People were focking home from the
country, frightened at the first cool
morning breeze; but Margaret begged
for longer stay, and I gladly consented.
We had learned to love this quiet re-
treat, and any change struck us un-
pleasantly. The whole neighborhood /
around us, too, had assumed a less star
ing and comfortless appearance. 1t had
mellOwed into an older and more sub
dued look; and others had followed our
example in identifying and adorning
their homes. The house occupied by
Mr.. leighton was precisely like our own,
and separated only by a slender fence,
which the girls had not long suffered to
remain. At least, Margaret told me that
it was Flora Leighton's superior strength
which had taken down the barrier; but
remember, Flora Leighton was still
mere fabulous person to me. 1 did not
believe in her, and endeavored to make
Margaret confess that she whose praises
had been so long sounding in my ears q
had really no existence at all except in 1
her own brain. Something like a pres l
ence, a spirit in human form had ap- G
peared to Margaret's vision, and she C
called it Flora Leighton. I bantered
her so much that she declared that [ l
should not see her. II
I did not care to see her. If Mar
garet was soothed or comforted, or her a.
ime lightened by anything like a COM Il
orter, I cared not who the comforter b.
vas. My sister was my only object of
and to save her an hours b1
or grief, would sacrifice any
hing on earth. They only, whose &C
Elections are narrowed down to a
ingle object, can appreciate my de- W
otion to my sister. A mother could
OF be more tenderly careful of her 8"
lan 1 was, subduing my stern mans tn
ature to feminine watchfulness,
7erting from her every shadow of evil, We
even annoyance. And not less deep
I'd strong was her affection for me- de
We were but two" One of our little III;
'me band had found a grave beneath his
e waters; another, bright, rosy, xii
1ghing girl, radiant with life and pei
alth, had sunk suddenly beneath acute pre-
d sudden fever, and then our father so
d mother departed to the land of cor
adOws. What wonder if we clung to wa,
ch other? Ma
That year, October was brighter than '
1t bright month usually seems. [ war
I'd generally to get home sometimes frOr
ring the shortened twilight, and per- sitti
os once or twice a week I was able to whi
oh 1t time enough to enjoy the sight lead
lhe gorgeous Autumn sunset One mad
9moon 1 came quite early, intending -al
AXE Margaret out in the chaise to coul
ness the glory of the Frightening in Il
IDS. was
came softly into the room, and with cont
r8aret lady was sitting by the win heav
T, reading aloud. Her voice was Nj
T and musical; her intonation per- from
. I stepped forward, after listening her.
he silvery chime for while. and tioDs
gafet introduced me to Miss Leigh felt t
of lif
le had scarcely acknowledged nv hans
ward bow before she was gone. I bealt
loC see now, nor when she went, deser
knew that, in the brief glimpse I Th
of her, thought her the ueIiest tie vi
an I ever saw. As I turned round if an
depositing my hat and coat, there bride,
no one there but Margaret. n
told you so, said gravelv.
old me what % said Margaret anu !
hat your friend was only a creature s ooii'e'
o,,r iv,ooriDo+;o,, ,, 7 1. AuduG
-, 81 - -. io'ite"' a but be
10 idor,t;eo1 t. ''iiC' oo'.Iu piness
sbo 1o4.o 9;ao.1-,...--9 80" ", o'nel"lSe was OF
aturaIy enough" said Margaret. ,,ro n1o lln -
OF the window" ',ie 70
nd this is the woman YOU have been T'i9 W. ".
g handsome all the summer ?" soio,,n oui-'
rgaret fairly cried at my badinage tbronol o
. co.-'l : ~ VIC pe"uly she mad at her