Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-07-26

hao esiuehtii oeen avery handsome man--lndeed,
he was handsome still. His hair and mustache
were perfectly white, forming marked contrast
with his complexion, which was extremely dark.
as II tanned by long residence under tropical
SUM- l think was first attracted to him by
noticing that his French was even worse than
our own. When he ventur ed as he occasionally
dId, to address an order TO the white-capped
waiting maids In their own language, the diff
cuitles he got into were dreadful. and he gen.
orally ended by getting rather angry with him
sell and them. Once or twice / ventured, very
tmdly, to help him out of a difficulty OF this
KIND. and In this manner q slight acQuaint-
ance had sprung up between us. 1t had, how
| ever. proceeded no further than a friendly
good morning or casual remark across the
dinner-table. With other visitors the Major
fraternized even less. After breakfast he regu-
larry smoked one cigar under the tree in the
courtyard; after which he started off for soli-
tary raInble and did not reappear till dinner
time SO matters stood until the first Sunday
evening after our arrival. when we went as in
duty bound, to the little English church in an
adjoining street. We were ushered into one of
the pews appropriated for strangers; and a
minute or two later the Major was shown into
the same pew. and sat down silently beside us.
Inc service proceeded in the usual course, and
the sermon was nearly over when the Major. by
an accidental movement Of his elbow, knocked
down auntie's little red prayer-boOk which was
on the sloping ledge before her. He stopped to
pick 1t up. and was about to replace it. but as it
came In view in the full glare of the gaslight his
eye cilanced to fall upon it, and he started as
though he had seen ghost. He laid down the
pook on the desk before him. but it seemed to
fascinate him. He looked from the book to
Aunt Hetty and from Aunt Hetty to the book, as
II trying to satisfy himself on some point, but
without success. The sermon came to an end
at last, and the benedction followed: but fear
the Major had little share in it. HetoOk advan-
tage OF the moment when all heads were bowed
TO do a very unmannerly thing. He slyly put
up ms eyeglass and opening aunties prayer
book took rapid peep at the name inside. 1t
was very quickly done and might have escaped
notice; but was watching him closely. l could
even read the name myself. 1t was in bold,
manly handwriting. TO Hester; June 80 IS"
stared aghast at such an act of impertinence
and glanced at Aunt Hetty to see whether she
would resist it; but she had probably not no.
tlced the Otlense. for she made no sign
The congregation began to dispense, and we
passed out i'll our turn the Major close behind
US we were scarcely fairly in the street when
he spoke to auntie.
Madam, am going to ask you a very singu-
lar question. but let me assure you that | have
deep personal interest in asking it. Will you
tell me how you came by that red prayer-boOk
that you uSe?"
shall never forget aunties answer, given
as quickly as if it were the most commonplace
matter. though could tell by the faint rose
Hush on her usually pale cheek how deeply she
was moved.
You gave. it to me yourself, Major Blake
Sl&-and-tWenty years ago.
The Majors face was study. Surprise, de-
Ight and lncredulity seemed struggling for the
mastery. He took off his hat and stood bare
headed hardly know why. but that one little
gesture seemed to tell me. better than the most
passionate prOtestations would have DONE that
the Old love had been kept treasured and q
sacred thing. And. l think, from the faint.
sweet smile that gathered round her mouth as
she looked up at him, that the same thought
came to auntie.
And You are Hetty." he said. Eyes, know
you now"
''1ou had forgotten the six-and-twenty years,
Major Blake. L knew you from the first"
And would you really have let me go with
out word or sigh?' he asked.
Why not ?" she replied "How could |
know you would wish to be reminded of old
times?"
Reminded. have never forgotten. l tried
my hardest to forget. and couldn't. Although
you preferred another
another What other?"
''IOun@ Sandys. Did YOU not marry him?"
81 have never seen him since"
AT this stage of the conversation it struck me
that was decidedly de hOp. Major Blake had
replaced his hat. and side by side with auntie
was walking slowly homeward had hitherto
been following behind: but reaching con-
Venlent street corner, let them proceed alone
and went Oft. without beat of drum for a stroll
IN an opposite direction. When | reached the
boarding house. half an hour later. | found
III.
under the shade of the great tree The Major
courteously lifted his hat at my approach and
said:
Miss Danvers, your aunt and are very old
friends: indeed. many years arc we were en-
gagged to be married. but an unfortunate misun-
derstanding separated u.s. We have lost many
happy years Of life together. but hope some
may still remain to u.s. | trust We shall have
your good wishes"
looked from one to the other.
You dear. darling auntie, then YOU really are
going to be married after all OF course wish
you JOY, and Major Blake, too, from the very
bottom OF my heart"
IL don't know said auntie, shaking her head
doubtfully. sim little afraid we are two old
fools"
Nay, dear" said the Major, raising her hand
gallantly to his lips. perhaps we were Young
Tools, but that is siX-and-twenty years ago. Let
us hope we have learned true wisdom now
don't know how the secret Oozpd out but
before twenty-fOur hours were over every one
in the clearinghouse. even to white CAPPED
Adele and her assistant maidens. knew that the
handsome English Major had met an old love in
the person of the gentle little lady with the
sweet smile and the soft gray hair. and that
alter separation Of siX-and-twenty years they
were again engaged to be married.; and they
were promoted to the rights and privileges of
engaged lovers accordingly. And lovers they
Enthusiastically were though in very quiet way
No lover of twenty could have been more de-
faded bride; no girl of seventeen more proud
and happy in her lovers devotion than dear old
auntie. They ought. by every rule to have
been ridiculous, but somehow nobody seemed
to think them so; and | really believe they
had the heartiest sympathy of every one in the
house.
must pass over the hOmeward Journey and
the establishment OF our friends at Fairfield
when auntie returned, engaged to be married
Some few OF them had known Major Blake as a
young man. but to most of them he was
stranger Many were the questions. and long
the explanations before everything was ac-
counted for to cverbOdy's satisfaction: but il
was done Mt last. And then came the prepara-
ton OF the trousseau; and at last, this very
morning, the happy pair have been made one
and auntie is off to the Isle of Wight to spend
her honeymoon. And last night. lust before
we went to bed. she called me into her own
room. and, taking out the little red prayer
book. said
Ruth, dear. am going to give you this little
BOOK as parting remembrance. You know
how have treasured it; and you won't value it
the less. | am sure. for having been so dear to
me. And If, when Mr.. Right comes Ruth. YOU
are ever tempted to be willful or wayward. or
pain heart that loves you truly, think of your
old Aunt Hetty. and don't forget the moral of
the faded leaf"
One Widow and Her Spoons.
From the Wo,nans journal.
There jS now rpsidjnp in Massachusetts, .