Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-11-07

had represented all womanhood to HIM,
for he had no remembrance of
his mother Mrs. Alien showed another
type, and here was a sweet, unaffected
maiden. No. he wasn't bit sorry for
what he had done; not even when it
took him from the factory whole week,
nor when it absorbed his quiet evenings
in confabs about air pillows, checks,
berths, and other topics of interest to
Marian and his cousin: for wasn't his
opinion asked in the most flattering man
ner, and didn't he feel himself growing
younger every day.
AT last the hour of parting came, and
Marian's pain was eased little when her
last glimpse of the beloved little form
showed Elsie, with her lap full of pres
ents, throwing kisses with all her might,
while a strong arm encircied her, and
Mr.. Wallace's smile was so assuring that
Marian wondered she had ever thought
his mouth anything brt handsome.
1t is week sine Elsie. was borne
from her, and Marian sits in her room
lonely but for the hope which lies SO
near her heart, and ever with thoughts
of her absent one come Others of the new
friend who took her two hands in his
to-day and related with the minuteness
of a woman every circumstance con-
nected with the childs arrival in her
new home, of the thoughtful people
who received her, and the golden
promises of perfect cure he had
from the resident physician. Now
she goes to the window, being careful to
see the new moon over her right shoulder,
and then laughing at herself for the
superstition. As she leans out shifting
delightedly the odor of the freshly cut
grass a puff of smoke brings the tears
to her eyes. 1t is smoke surely, and
coming from the window of the room
under hers. and when she looks again
to make sure a little tongue of flame
meets her startled gaze. Quick as a
flash she is down stairs had knocked at
each door and given the alarm. She
quite agrees with Mrs. Allen that men
are good in an emergency" when Mr..
Wallace's firm, even tones answered her
call and even more than agrees when his
self-possession contrasts with the feeble
pipes Of alarm from Miss Stinson and in
ertness of several Of the other women
who have to be taken out by main force,
Mrs, Allen herself being paralyzed by
fright The greater part of the building
is saved, though it is almost morning
when the fire is declared "out." After
exhausting themselves in praise of Mar
ian the others go in for coffee and call
her urgently. Still Marian fingers out
on the lawn surveying the charred
remains of the wing where her room
had been. Only had been, for it
had suffered most and none of Marian's
treasures were left. She looked ruefully
at the gilt fringe which, hanging so dis
mally from nail, was painful remih-
der of the desolation within. She was
joined by Mr.. Wallace, and had to say
something at once to keep from laughing
at the ridiculous spectacle he presented
draped as he was in blue flannel dress
ing gown, his feet ineased in huge arctics,
all topped by fur cap. 81 ought to
feel discouraged, she said, 'but some
how don't realize my loss yet"
''You need never realize it"
She bent upon him an inquiring glance.
and he answered at once: "Pardon my
bluntness, but Mrs. Allen told me you
wanted place: that's just the way she
put it and have found one for you if
you will accept it." Marian, wondering
little at his choice on subject just
then replied Can fill it?' Fill it?
1t is not worthy of you, but no one else
in all the world can. Marian, dear, the
place is in my heart and home. Will
you take it?" And Marian thought the
face on which the light of dawn broke
had not one Objectionable feature.
They had Christmas wedding at Mrs.
Aliens; Elsie was bridesmaid and Ma
rian's trosseau was the gift of Mrs. Allen
and her boarders, who persisted in say
ing, spite of Marian's contradiction, that
they owed their lives to her heroism. =
d. III. Dunne.