The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-01-11

gnthef. hN Manu- ~"fr f"h '~NNt HN'
they are empty. My work here is done
II you still believe that could make hap
DIV the Kind friend who has always been oui
bcnefactor, / should be glad 10 see you
Yours sincerely, oLIvR WAYNE
Mr.. Phoenix read this missive, re.rcad
Il and shut il into the Book of Job, safe
from the pryiug eyes Of Mrs, Dnbbs. and
drummed uncasily on the closed Bible,
What predicamentl Must he thrust back
upon Olive the gift for which he had 50
lately sueds Must he thus humble himself'
Worse than ALL must be relinquish this
tried friend Of lifetimeg Having reached
the autumn or life. must ho reject its ma
ture and appropriate fruits for the rhn-
bard and greens Of springtime? Alas yes;
be must fulfil his engagement, for was he
not an honorable mani He would write
Al once 10 Olive q candid statement OF the
ssSe.
Bat while he idled at his desk on the
morrew Mr. Torrey came to ask the loan
oi horse tai his was in running order,
and the deacon laid down his pen with
sigh Of reIie.
Feeling that he ougia to teii Lis brother
in law OF his contemplated marriage Iva led
the conversation back TO the conference
aud Mrs. Vance.
"By the way, met the widow this NOR
ming. riding with John Vance, remarked
Mr.. Torrey cautiously. "You remember
him the brother next to Charles He's
just home from Califoria with his pockets
full. I"
s"Ah?"
Eyes Shouldn't wonder il he took the
widow. Some say they're engaged al
ready"
OF course the deacon knew better than
that; nevertheless, he delayed his tender
con tession. And he did not write the let.
ter. Tue enough for that after he had
paved Mrs. Vance thepromised visit The
latter lady certa' a'inIy had the first claim
uPou uttcubious.
Unfortunately several days Of torment
ing pain ensued, during win, ID the deacon's
patience was put to severe test; put he
was at last able to seek the object nf his
nasty choice he found her in her der
Tard playing croquet with well-dressed
gentleman.
so happy to see you, Deacon Phoenix,
'aid she with voluble embarrassment, "and
80 glad to introduce Mr.. Vance, dear
Jharlie's brother. Do come inl'
Il hope my tardy coming does not seem
liscourteous to you Mrs. Vance," said he
With afable formality, while the stranger
fastened to a suddenly recalled engage
nent II have not"
"No--oh no!' broke in the widow ner.
ously.
II have not been we'll. Otherwise, un- G
er the present interesting relation"
''Oh, Mr.. Phoenix interrupted she, I
Ilrowing herself upon cricket at his feet.
Do you know i am 80 afraid l am not 9
he one to make you happy? And my
fiends say the discrepancy in our ages is
DO great. Ought to marry against their I
fishes?
"Yon must decide that question. dear +
ladam, " said the deacon with suppressed il
lgerness. The finger Of Providence was a
. this. He held his breath to make sure d
Inch way it pointed. t
"Thcn if you don't mind very much t
beacon Phoenix, perhaps it would be bet Il
n for us to part as friends. Oh dearl o.
ope you'll forgive me il have done n
rong. The deacon hardly heard the n
losing sentence for the glad beating Of Il
is heart. my dear child you have done q
ute right. do not reproach you, said e
. with smile OF infinite benevolence. is
is natural that youth should choose to
ed with youth"
"And that age should wed with age" eI
, added mentally as he drove away in y
he direction Of Miss Olives. N
He and Miss Wayne were married the d
flowing October, but Mr. and Mrs Vance n
aited until Christmas il