The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-12-05
UNDER APPLE-BLOSSOMS.

UNDES APPLE-BLOSSO
For everp'' An expression of awe
stole into Meta Trevanion's violet eyes
as she raised them to the bronzed face
bending so earnestly over her own.
..Yes, for ever" repeated Oscar
We're, holding her trembling hands in
his close grasp. For ever, or not at
all"
-but-don't be angry" blush
ing to the curls on her forehead. "You
might change-men do, you know;
and what would become of meP"
Child, this apple tree will turn into
palm, before my heart ever changes
TO you. Dearest, you must believe
me-
And after one look into the honest
his shoulder, and the last lingering
doubt opened ats wings and flew away.
Softly, one by one, the petals of the
apple-blossom dropped on the girls
yellow hair; softly brown thrush, on
the bough of wild rose, sang its song
of JOY to two happy hearts, lost in a
dream of bliss. The song ceased, the
sun sank, gray shadows crept slowly
over the trees in the orchard; but
the lovers missed neither sunshine nor
song, and were blind to the clouds
slowly gathering over their future.
There were tears in Metals eyes, but
smiles on her pretty lips, as she went
swiftly over the dewy grass into the
old UNCOVERED porch of The Grange.
What has happcned?' said cold,
harsh voice, and hand was laid on her
shoulder.
"Oh, am SO happy!" And forget
ing everything but her wonderful piece
of news, she flung her arms around her
cousins neck. Eta, darling, he loves
mev'
Etta's thin face colored like Il sunset,
and her lips drew close together; but
Meta took it for granted that she must
be glad, and did not wait for any con-
CALCULATIONS.
Oscar We're, on the contrary, was in
tensely surprised at his fathers con-
senting to the match without any re-
monstrances, for the girl that he had
chosen might say that her sweet face
was her fortune. for she certainly had
no other. Sir Edward, however, pat
ted him on the arm in the kindest man
ner, sending him back to his regiment
with his blessing, promising to arrange
everything, and look after his bride in
his absence.
Metals letters were at first like con-
slant CLEANS of sunshine in Captain
Verc's daily life, but after awhile they
became few and far between, and at
last ceased entirely.
He was vcxed, but he told himself
that there could be no cause for anx-
iety, as his father assured him that his
bride was looking the picture of health,
and happiness had made her blossom
into beauty. As if Venus herself could
have been lovelier than his own golden
haired Meta! A
As many of the officers were absent
on leave, Captain We're was kept at his
post, fretting with impatience, like a
chained dog. 1t was not till the day
before the wedding, that he was able
to get away, and then, just as he was
starting for The Grange, Sir Edward
laughingly interfered, telling him that
Mrs. Trevanion had expressly stipulat-
ed that the bride should be left to her
own relations, on the last day of her
spinsterhood.
"Confound it, that's too bad" he
cried impatieatly. "Netta will be look
ing for me, know she will"
Sir Edward was slightly deaf, and
did not catch the words; but he pulled
out some papers, and covered the table
with legal documents, which his son
had to sign, and kept him well occu-
pied for the rest of the evening.
at was kind of Mrs. Trevanion to
have the breakfast at The Grange"
said Oscar, as he paused to light his
cigar.
II don't see very well how she could
help it," and Sir Edward raised his
eyes in surprise; "but put all that out
of your head for moment, if you can,
or else you will be signing some of
these things in the wrong place"
Beverly doesn't arrive till to-mor-
row."
beverly be hanged! Put your name
here, and for heavens sake don't make
a mistake"
Oscar obeyed, writing his signature
mechanically wherever he was told to
put it; his thoughts straying to the
morrow, when Metals. hand would lie
in his, and her loving little heart be
his own forever. Only q few hours
now without her, thank heaven!
A cloudless morning, when Nature
seemed to have put on her bravest gar
ments to greet the wedding guests, as
they streamed through the churchyard
of Alverlcy, with the rustic of silks and
satins, and murmur of suppressed ex-
element. 3i
The bridegroom was already at his
post before the altar-rail, with Major
Beverly, his best man, close beside him,
whispering ill-timed chaffy remarks in
TO ears that were deaf to everything
but the tread of soft foot on the tes-
sclated pavement.
Her face closclv yelled in Brussels