The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1884-12-25

sH<.A <SNfess - s~e t~S
ost ansng the New Hamshirs mountains,
we're sboa. 10 separate for Inc risht ssv-
eral plans vsrs suggested. bat none Of
them met With unanimous approval.
M. Carlson, what do yeu thick would
10 plsasaaty" asked one Of the young
iadies.
II. Miss Nary" answered the youss
| nap, who had kssn leaning isdiisrsnily
against trss. II am going to the village
tomorrow. ssd probably viii not return
ill the following day"
"Mr. Carlson must have found some
modern Maud Mailer. who offers sttrac'
tious much superior to ours. else be weald
aos make sush frequent journeys y the
| large metropolis of Msadviils. This
rsnArk ~ make u very sarcastic tons
by young lady vhc was stirring The dy-
| ing smbsrs ef the camp Are.
rAs blood noasAsd high ists Carlsea's
face, and reaching out his hand TO brush
Of . spark which had fallen on the young
llsdy's aress. hs said il low tone. Miss
1 IThuua1on, what matters il TO you II ! 60
or stayf"
But, before she could answer. Carlsons
sister cried pstulantly, "0b, let him 90.
Arthur will never break ~ appointmsnt,
unless perhaps for wedding or funeral
"Herel hcre.' cried all the gentlemen.
who will volunteer TO have . wedding on
Gallons accouut?"
II will help you out Of that, Cousin
JOHN, Z cried Miss Thurston. I've tesn
M msditating marriage for some time, and
this is the first opportunity ! have cared
70 embrace
"But, Margie, replied her Cousin John
., il greatly perplexed, you see, not an
ticipsting this event and never having
been encouraged by you to consider my
self 4 candidate for such honor, ! hav'
spoken to another girl on the subject.
Every one Joined in the laugh at Mis-
Thurstons expense but Arthur Carlson
"Miss Thurston," he said you have beef
Tilted; allow me TO offer you rsparation
II il is the only opportunity you care Y
mbrace, a change Of groom can max
but little diffsrene. will return temor
row evening with all necessary prelimi
naries in time for our Wedding.
"you are certainly very kind. Mr.. Carl
son." replied Miss Thurston, haughtily
People who are so generous seldom ex
pect their generosity TO be accepted, bu
l shall surprise you by agreeing to you
proposition"
"Iwas in earnest when make the prop
osition, Miss Thurston."
"Aud / was in earnest when / aceepts
il, Mr.. Carlson" !"
These two we're ever at sword points
They had quarrsled together since baby
hood, and although, mp to this time. eacl
he'd guarded tho sssrst isalossly from th
other, yet Il WAS evident to most Of thei
friends that the two were dearer TO eae
other in their quarrels than many ethe
people in their friendships.
When the party breakfasted the mel
morning Mr.. Carlson Was already on b
way to the yillsge. 1t was agreed TIN
part Of the day be spent in preparing
lpisos for the mock ceremony. Mn
|. vsston vas the gayest Of the gay.
III. - late afternoon her friends can
Int her for the wsddiag. The
to dress = tho same fluffy white drs
drapsd hsri. The girlish white form
which filed ont IxryiAst hair srOur
the best, eOiled the bunch ns simp
her head, and placed y Never :,
msuntain flowers At her be. III, Or ,
fore had she looked 80 beau q" N
defiant. A commotien outside ~.
announced Carlssn's returs, and - !,
Thursson surrounded by laughing frien.
vsnt out to meet them.
At this moment Mr.. Carlson came up,
Hs. too. was pale, but his eyes burned
with IN intense fire.
"Miss Thurston," he said, II was ter
ribly in earnest when l said what did
last evening In proof Of which | have
procured license and minister. Will you
be my wife, for fun?'
AThe very demon Of recklessness took
possession Of Miss Thurston. II Carlson
had asked her, before them all, TO marry
him for love, she would have turned away
but for fan; yes, she would dare As much
~ he, and she cried in laughing tone,
Eyes. Mr.. Carlson, will marry you for
fnn."
At this moment the minister whom Mr.,
Carlson had secured. stepped ont Of his
tent, and tbs young couple took their
places which had been prspassd for them
when the meek ceremony had been in
view.
ny the time the ceremony was finished
the audience had concluded the affair had
been planned before and in secret. and
thai they were the dnpes OF the joke.
Accordingly. never was company gsysr
than theirs that night. and the merrymak.
iug was continued into the morning hours
Two weeks passed after their return, 10
which Arthur saw but little Of his wife
Judge Thurston's summers residence was
> number Of miles from the city. and tbs
esptlemsn could only run down for ever
Sunday. On these days the two we're IN
comfortable as possible in each Others
company and avoided being left alone to-
gsthsr.
Bot on on~ Sabbath evening Arthur
came out of ths judges library with =
pale lace aud set lips Ascending the