St. Paul daily globe., 1885-07-25

reception? Well, who do you think i met
at the postoffice but this same young gentle
nan. He is stopping in the village for a few
days and was greatly surprised to learn that
L lived in this place. OF course could do
no less than invite him TO call: and he
promised to do himself that pleasure. /
know you will like him, for he is wonder
fully smart, they say; and quite cookbook
ing, " she added, archly.
What is his name?" quietly INQUIRED
| her aunt.
''Why, really, auntie, the only name
know him by is MI. Virgimous,' and / be-
lleve his classmates call him He'd" You
know what singular names college boys al
ways have for each other, and L presume
one or both of those are nicznames; but
auntie, dear, what does all you; what is the
matter?" said Gertrude in alarm, for her
aunt suddenly turned pale and she was
shaking as if with an ague.
Nothing my dear; only a slight faint
ness; it will pass away quickly if l lay
down." she said and when Gertrude turned
to arrange the sofa Martha Dwinell hastily
concealed letter she had found among
those brought from the village by her niece.
She begged TO be left alone that she
might Sleep and when Gertrude had gone
| she drew from her bosom the letter and
carefully read it through.
Now may the Father i'm His infinite
mercy aid me. and may lie forgive me, if
this is deception, for il is all for the child's
good,' she cried
At the supper table she said she was quite
recovered; and indeed keen observer
would have seen that there was a happier
light in her eyes than there had been seen
there since the stormy morning of two
months ago.
Several days passed, when one bright and
sunny afternoon as Miss Dwinell and Ger
trude were enjoying the September sun
shine, seated on the piazza, a carriage halted
at the roadside and tall, athletic young
man alighted and walked brisl1ly up the APP
prOach to the house. casting quick glanceS
to the right and left as he advanced.
at is Mr.. Virginious." whispered Ger
trude, and Martha could not help but note
the flush of pleasure that flashed over her
face.
Without halting, the young man sprang
up the steps with. $50 glad to see YOU at
your home, Miss Dwinell."
''Auntie, permit me; Mr.. Virginious, my
aunt, Miss Dwinell, "ssaid Gertrude, and the
stranger bowed low before Miss Dwinell.
The Christmas chimes were ringing when
Gertrude approached her aunt one evening,
with a bright and happy look in her eyes.
and linking her arm in that of Miss Dwinell
said: ''Auntie dear, will you go into the par
lOr with me and hear what Mr.. VirginiOus
has to Say?"
Together they went into the parlor The
yomg man arose quickly and placed a chair
for Miss DwinelI; then drawing Gertrude's
hand within his arm, and standing before
her aunt, in a few words he told her he
wished to make Gertrude his wife: but Ger
trude, though returning his great love,
would not consent until Miss Dwinell gave
her sanction.
''She has told me-" said he, ''that there
is some duty she owes to her father that
| stands in the way of our marriage, which
you only can release her from, and that un
less you do so she can never be my wife.
Now. without a wish TO pry into family mat
| ters that are family secrets; without a wish
| to lessen GertrudeS sense of lilial duty: if
you will only make me party TO that Obli
CATION, whatever it may be. will bring to
her aid all that wealth, and an honest heart
can bring to help her discharge it,"
mo One Mr.. Virginious, can help Ger
trude discharge that duty: no one can re-
lease her; but feel that in giving my con-
sent to her marriage with yOu | am dis
charging my duty to my poor brother, and
she in becoming Your wife performs her
part better than she now realizes. l have
no objection to her being your wife" and
saying this Martha Dwinell arose and hast
| lily left the room.
what did my aunt mean?" was ques-
ton over which Gertrude pondered many
an hour before her wedding day. At times
she would resolve to 20 to her aunt and ask,
and with this determination she said to her
one day. 'auntie. dear, when will you tell
me more about my father?''
Never mind about that now, it is too
near your wedding day." said Martha.
They were to be married in church.
Standing before the altar listening 10 the
words of prayer spoken by the kind and be-
nignant old pastor. whose preaching she
| had listened to from childhood, Gertrude
| felt very happy.
Harry, wilt thou have this woman" she
| heard him say. But why Harry" she
found herself wondering even while she an
swered Il will"
At the depot as they were about to take
| the train her aunt placed in her hands 4
| sealed package. Upon examining she found
written on one side: For my beloved
daughter Gertrude; 10 be delivered to her
upon the day she becomes the wife of Harry
| EnglewOod Dacree' On the reverse side
| her aunt had written: Love him because
his name is Harry EnSlewood Dacree, and
loving him, forgive your aunt for the part
she took i'm the deception" With a look of
wonder Gertrude turned to her husband.
who had been intently watching her. lie
said III. j.. ID. are the initials of my
name: ''Virginious'' is the name by which
! was known among inv chms in college.
Am forgiven?" What think you. reader
EARNEST q. WINTER.