The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-08-05

could your I'm an old man now, 1
know, but L"
He was about to say that he never intend
ed to marry, when the widow artlessly in
terrupted him.
You old? Why, you are just in the
prime of life," he said, with dazzling
smile.
Would you'll have known you but a
short time, but I feel as though 1 had known
you life-time-would you accept ?" he
stammered, with vague idea of offering
her handsome annuity that should place
her above want and give her enjoyment and
ease.
"Of course would, dear Augustus.
You needn't say another word I have
heard how difident you are-so like poor,
dear Henry You mean will accept you
Is that it, dearestP ?"
"Ye-e-e-s!"
The word was breathed, rather than spok-
en- by trembling lips; but for the world he
could not say mo"
That was word which he never could
speak to pretty woman.
knew it, dearest Don't think me
unwomanly for helping you bit!" she
murmured, slipping one arm around his
neck, and placing her red lips bewilderingly
near His, Just ss party of young people
came up the walk.
II was all over now! In maze he heard
and accepted tho congratulations from every
a. IL l..
his arm.
Fearful of losing her prize, she fixed the
wedding-day early in July.
The preparations were made, and Angus
Jus Chandler went, like laiab to the
daughter, to request the parson-a lifelong
friend-to perform the ceremony.
I'm glad you are to have home at last,
Gus" he began. Mrs. Porter is q lovely,
accomplished woman. wish you joy
But goodness, man, you look as though you
expected to be buried instead of married ~
81 wish was |" groaned the unhappy
EGn.
And, forthwith, he told the story of his
Engagement.
And so you dent want to marry the
widow ?" asked the clergyman.
mol" answered Chandler, emphatically.
why didn't you soy so to her, then P'
why? Because am fool. / never
could say No where woman was concern.
ed. You know that, George"
Hum I" began Mr.. Shaw, musingly.
We'll, I'll be on hand, and advise you to
answer Yes to every question"
Whatever hope In his friends aid had
frightened Augustus Chandler's heart, died
natural death, and he passed a sleeplesa
night, pacing the floor of the chamber that
would soon be shared with another.
AT nine o'clock the entire population
men, women and children-were assembled
at the little church to witness the wedding.
Very fair and triumphant the widow looked
in her bridal robes, and Augustus himself
was all that could be expected in calm,
self-possessed bridegroom.
Only the entreating, agonized look he
threw his friend, the clergyman, as he arose
to begin the ceremony, told that he was sui
fering fortunes.
As in n dream he heard and mechanically
answered the questions.
And do you, Augustus Chandler, refuse
to take this woman for your lawfully-wed-
ded wife ?" asked Mr.. Shaw, with great en-
phasis and significant look.
The blood rushed in torrent over Chan
dler's face every nerve tingled as he grasp
ed his friends meaning and saw the loop.
hole OF escape.
Yes !" he yelled, wildly.
And then rushed cowardly down the
aisle, out through the open door, and nlone
the village street to the homestead by the
oaks, as though pursued by fiends.
The widow screamed and went into hys-
terics. Confusion reigned but, securely
locked in his room, the rescued man cared
little for that.
A settlement was at last effected through
the agency of his lawyer, and a generous
slice of the uncle's fortune consoled the dis
appointed woman for the loss of husband.
Did he profit by his escape?
For year or two he lived secluded life,
avoiding the feminine portion of the COM
munity, especially widows, as he would the
plaques of Egypt, and then he astonished
his neighbors by bringing wife to gladden.
the old homestead-a rosy-chseked lassie
whom he married for love.
Although he often jokes her about their
sourtship, tradition furnishes no account Of
the event; but her bushes, whenever the
subject is mentioned, convince me that the
second wooing would furnish story as we'll
as the first
However that may be, it is very certain
that Augustus Chandler has always been
Satisfied with the result.