Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-01-03

him."
almost as glad as I am to see YOU.
my darling" said Frank, passionate
ly. And [ think that while YOU
have been having such a struggle
with poverty, have been living in
luxury, with the expectation Of b.
ing hungry for sight of your dear
face. Why did you not come to me,
Minrie?"
"Well, Frank, pride kept me away
for one thing, and for another, Iknew
how honorable you were and that you
would keep your troth with me, but [
was afraid you might feel as though
you were sacrificing yourself in we'd
ding me-not Minnie Osborne the
rich mans daughter, but Minnie
Osborne the poor sales-woman.
'No, Minnie, it can be no secrifce,
for [ love you for yourself alone, and
with love which comes only once
IN a mans lifetime" replied Frank,
earnestly.
"Well, Frank" said Minnie, 'the
present is so happy and beautiful that
[ can almost forget the dark, weary
past. / have learned many good
lessons in the school of sorrow and
trial. and though we have suffered
much, ny faith in Him who careth
for the widow and the fatherless has
never wavered, and [ thank Him to-
night for having brought us together
again. Indeed, Frank, am, | trust,
better woman and better Christian
for having walked in the path of the
lowly"
"You have always been an angel in
my eyes, darling, and the thought of
your purity and beauty Of character
has spurred me on to try to keep in
the straight and narrow way, and,
thank God, by His grace and assis-
lance, [ have succeeded, and with you
[ feel graceful to Him who has per-
mitted us to meet here tonight.
'Well, Frank, here we are at our
mansion" laughed Minnie. You
can never carry those baskets up
three flights of stairs alone; let me
help you"
ooh, [ can carry them easily en-
ough, only you lead the way" said
Frank.
There was a happy party in the lit
tie, low back room that night, and
Frank, who had always been a favor
tie, was welcomed by Mrs. Osborne,
Maud and Jamie in manner so cor
dial as showed that they were glad to
see him once more, not for the good
things and the health and comfort he
brought them, but for him alone AT
ter the greetings were over and there
was q little lull in the conversation,
Frank told Mrs. Osborne of the
stranger he had met at Delmonico's,
giving a description Of his personal APP
pearance.
"Oh, [ know it is my brother John, "
she exclaimed; and the sight of him
will raake me we'll again. Dear, dear
fellow, when can [ see him?"
you can see him tonight if I can
find him, " answered Frank; ''it's not
very late and [ think he will be a.
Delmonico's now, At any rate I'll go
and see."
He went and returned in about an
hour with the stranger, who was, in
deed, Mrs. Osborne's dearly loved
brother whom she had moUrned as
dead. It was a happy meeting, if the
place was poor, and they ate and
talked until Christmas was ushered in
and the bells of Trinity pealed forth
their chimes.
So the Christmas eve which had
seemed so dark and dreary to Minnie
as she was going home from the store,
proved to be the happiest she had ever
experienced, for out of deep sorrow
had come great JOY.
Mrs. Osborne'ss brother explained
that he had gone into the interior of
Australia, and had not heard from
his sister since that time, the letters
on both sides having been miscarried.
The gentlemen took their leave in
the "wee sma' hours" and ia each
heart was the feeling of ''Peace on
earth, goodwill to men" and thank
fulness to the Giver of ali good for
the way In which He had led them
through all their trials to the ultimate
happiness of the end.
Before they left matters had been
arranged so that on New Years day
there was to be quiet wedding, and
Minnie Osborne was to become Mrs.
Frank Johnson. Frank was to go in
to business with Mr.. John Drake,
Mrs. Osborne's brother, who was to
be a silent partner. They even went
so far as to plan q trip to Europe in
the summer, and though Minnie said
she thought they were looking too far
ahead, she was too happy to spoil the
bright air-castles by not giving her
consent to all the propositions and
plans.
And now, dear reader, we leave
them to the enjoyment of their hap
piness, hoping that every dark cloud
which passes over your life have as
bright a lining as did that of Minnie
Osborne.