The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-01-11

was an Immense one, and, On reaching
New York, she suocumbed to o severe
illness, through which Nina had nursed
hor, and with whom she had remained
over since.
Here Harry asked me whom we were
going East.
had just received letter from Nina,
begging me to come home in timo to re-
celVe New Years calls with her, and
reminding me that wo had not all held
mo watch together since that night 80
memorable to her. l handed the letter
10 Harry, saying: 1--WE will go on Tues
day"
- will 60. too," said he, decidedly.
only needed one look into his owes
to know his purpose.
"Go with u.s." said I.
"Irobably will" replied he; "but
VIII see you again" and, biddino
mamma goodbye, he was gone.
On Tuesday, as we were starting. q
telegram came from Harry saying that
he could not leave, but adding that he
certainly would keep watch with us New
Years Eve.
When we were fairly at home, told
Nina, and we both concluded that it
was best not to mention anything about
nlm to Hildogard, lest something un-
1oreseen should cause disappoint-
mcnt.
On Now Years Eve we talked of girl
goods days and doings. 1t had been
fifteen years since we had held our
mountain watch Nina and [ we're de.
cidcdty nervous, no word having come
of Harry 8 arriving. Hldegard seemed
depressed. About eloven O clock. Adele.
her husband, and papa, came In to help
us watch; 80 at quarter OF twelve
clock. we formed quite party. At
ten minutes of twelve Mr.. Farquhar
threw back the staIncL glass doors that
closed off the third room, and, seating
ing himself before the organ, said he
would play the Do1ology; we all fol-
lowed, and. ranging ourselves in a cir
Gle, awaited the striking of the hour.
Hildegard alone was not Of the number;
she had been standing in one of the
windows, evidently wrapped in thought.
Amidst ight-falling snow sleigh
dashed up to the door, and gen-
tleman lcapcd out The porter had
the door open by the time the visitor
reached the steps Tho transit from
sleigh to the parlor had not taken more
than a minute. and d;ldegard. sur
prised out of action, hao only turned
and faced the door Her whole couute-
nance must have told how thank
!ul she was to see Harry again, for In an
| instant he embraced her right heartily.
linen we all came forward to extend
| welcome. Nina would not let Harry
leave the house, but insisted upon max.
ing it his home during his visit. Then
we sang the Doxology, some minutes
after twelve.
AS we finished, Mina's maid tapped
at the door, calling her away amoment.
Harry and Hildegard wandered down
the parlor. Nina looked in, saving:
"Our dresses came an hour ago, and
Marie has laid them out for us to sec!
| Come up stairs"
Iiildegard took no notice of the IN
vitation; so we went without interrupt
ing her conversation, which for the nc xt
half hour formed II sort of low obligato
n compartment to certain improvisa-
t)ns upon tho organ. wherein Mr.
rarquhar gave utterance to memories
aroused by this anniversary of his be-
trothal.
Once in Mina's exquisite little boa
dotr, sho and | rapturously embraced
each other; we did not speak, but We
felt pretty sure that ut last all would
go well with Hildegard; and it made us
very happy. Then Adeles exclama-
tions of admiration drew our attention
to the dresses we would wear upon tho
morrow. From this we fell to discuss
ing tho number ofcalls we hoped to ro-
CeiVe; for wo had each sent cards to
the friends we had made since our sop
aration: and 80 on, until Nina reminded
lis that she had ordered q little supper
laid. and that it was probably waiting at
that moment.
We hurried down stairs to find her
prediction true. Whom We wore seated
at the table, she said:
Papa, can t you give us o BpeechP'
II think had better defer to Mr..
Fcnton," said Mr. Farquhar and thon,
bowling to Harry: "You voice will aS
least have the merit of novelty to our
party" whcrcupon Harry arose and
said, with pre- aratory ahem!
Ladies' and gentlemen" and then
dropping the mimic air, proceeded:
Dear friends--I am overflow ng with
joy. l have this night satisfactorily
concluded an affair which undertook
unsuccessfullY fifteen years ago to-
night. since then / have lived in tho
shadow OF the great grIef in which that
failure enyeloped me. Black as the
darkness OF the night into which
stepped When Lett our mountain Watch,
was the sorrow / bore with mo. Bright
as the light OF this luxurious, hospitRblO
homo, and of your beaming faces is the
radiant joy bear. Hildogard viii be
my wife. Congratulate me, and / will
heartily wish you each what this assures
20 me-a happy New Yearr'
On Hildegard's face thorc was rest
full happiness expressed, which no mortal
had ever seen there before. The un-
satisfied expression was gone. And we
united in wishing Harry what ], patient
reader now wish you-A Happy Now
Year. Godey'S Lady's Book.