The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-11-11
MISS MIDFERN'S WEDDING.

no good to u.s." said Martha Midfern
:" and now his words have come true"
There had been railroad accident on the
=" Black Brook and Rennsevoort Line"
The engineer mad been killed at his post
the telescoped-train had caught fire, one
passenger was taken up for dead, and all
the rest were more or less bruised, wounded
and terrified and by way of sequel to the
rest, Miss Midfern's barn was burned to the
ground, with all the newly-garnered store
of hay, and the new patent reaper, which
had cost such sum of money. The farm
house itself had narrowly escaped the cat
lie being at pasture, were fortunately I'M
hurt.
Miss Midfern never had been nervous
woman, but she was little pale as she
stood on the front porch, looking at the
wrecking-train, whose hands were hard at
work.
" How's the young man ?" said Mrs.
Dulcimer, who lived on the nearest farm.
:" He's better" said Miss Midfern.
Mrs. Dulcimer sighed. Even in railway
accident, luck seems to go on the opposite
side OF the boundary fence, which separated
the two estates of Dulcimer and Midfern.
Why, she asked herself, could not the pleas
ant-iooking young man with the diamond
studs have been flung into the arms of her
four unmarried daughters, instead of falling
to the lot of Martha Midfern
Going to recover 2" said Mrs. Dull.
elmer.
That's what Doctor Paley hopes"
II you want any help in nursing him"
feebly began Mrs. Dulcimer.
Much obliged, Pm sure" promptly an
swered Miss Midfern; "but don't require
any assistance"
Mrs. Dulcimer made no reply, but shs
glanced obliquely at Miss Midfern. ano
thought that there was no danger of INV
mans losing his heart to that wry-faced old
maid.
II 1t bad been my Caroline Augusta,
now, or Hannah" thought Mrs. Dulcimer
with thrill of maternal pride.
But there Is no accounting for the freaks
of Cupid. Harry Sewer was young and
grateful. Doctor Paley told him, truthfully
that Martha Midferns careful nursing Ind
saved his life. And one autumn evening.
in q burst of gratitude, he laid that life ut
The middle-aged woman's feet.
DO you really mean it ?" said Martha,
who had never had o bona .tieis offer of mar.
riage in her life.
And she blushed red-and-white like a
girl.
9 Is it likely that should jest on such a
subject 2" said Harry, earnestly.
F" But am older than you"
" In years, perhaps-yes. But what dis-
'erence does that make p
So Miss Martha Midfern became engaged
20 the handsome young Georgian whom fate
had drifted to her door.
. l suppose people will laugh at me-
she Thought. But there-why should
care He loves me, and love him, and
that is enough. Bat l guess we'd better
keep the secret to ourselves just at pres.
emit.
As the beautiful October woods blazed
forth in their mellow autumn tints, Mr..
Sewer began to stroll out little way at a
time, to sit on messy boulders and dream
beside merry little brooks. And one day
Hannah Dulcimer came dancing home from
search after nuts in the woods.
I've seen him, mother, said she" the
Captive Knight The Old witch has let him
out of the tower for awhile. And he's as
handsome as a picture And oh, mother,
he is so nice! And he is coming here this
afternoon to see the view from Apple Tree
Knoll. May bake fresh angel-cake,
mother? And can Sarah Alice make some
vanilla-fritters ?"
What will Martha Midfern say ?' utter
ed Mrs. Dulcimer.
"As if that signifedl" gaily retorted
Hannah, who was the youngest and prettiest
of all the Dulcimer girls. He isn't hers,
is he 2"
And she ran up stairs to brush out her
auburn curls, which were blown into silky
confusion by the wind, and TO put into
water the cluster of blue asters which Mr..
Sewer had given her.
Nobody was to blame in these unforiu-
nate cases nobody ever is to blame. But
the mischief was all done before poor Han
nah Dnlcimer found out that Harry Sewer
was the captive of Martha Midfern's bow
and spear. And Harry himself awakened
at last to a consciousness of his life's mis-
take.
He was Georgian gentleman, however,
and honor was dearer to him even than
love, SO he made no sign.
Hannah, however, was less reiicent and
self-contained and when Martha Midfern
came over to consult Sarah Alice Dulcimer,
who was milliner by trade, as to the we'd
ding-bonnet, Hannah came into the room
with red eyes and burning cheeks.
"Oh, Martha Martha |" she sobbed, 81
know it isn't maidenly, but can't help it
love him, and he loves me-. Oh, Martha
be magnanimous and leave him to me 7"
6 Hannah, hold your tongue |" cried
Sarah Alice, greatly scandalized.
+" can't help it !" walled Hannah, wiring
ing her hands and rocking to and fro, like
one in mortal pain. 81 love him, and he
loves me, and he is engaged to you, Martha
Midfernl Oh, what is to be done2'
Martha turned pale. More than once
some inkling Of this unfortunate complica-
ton had crossed her mind, but she had dis.
missed it as too utterly improbable.
" He has never asked for his freedom
she said, hoarsely.
Because he is too good-too noble"
hysterically cried Hannah. :" He would die
sooner than forfeit his word. But you
you, Martha--you will not let him sacrifice
his life ? Oh, Martha, think how terrible
it would BET
Hannah, I'm astonished at you'll" said
Sarah Alice. Mother, do get her out of
the room.n
And poor Hannah was taken, sobbing,
from the presence of the bride-expectant.
"a AIsdEa,sx.