The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-12-25

I've finished school.
"Oh, Flightyl"
Awed 81 ence followed. broken only
by giggle from the engaged young
lady.
"Hov did he say it. Fan?" asked
Martie cautiously, after awhile
"I'll tell you. 1t was jolly. We're
not in love- you know-no such non
sense. He is so much older than 1, that
/ used to call him Noah. Scene one
was in Aunt EveiSns drawing room;
time, eight o'clock Christmas Eve.
Actors, Aunt Evelyn asleep in one cor
ner (and she didn't wake up for an hour,
either, Parke, ard your humble SER
want.
"He, pathetical y glancing OF Aunt
Evelyn, FIJI hty, [ wonder who'll take
care of me when my mother is gomez"
Don't know" laconically
"Did you ever take care of any body?'
"No indeed Found it hard enough
to keep myself straight"
81 should hate to be bache' Or"
"Hum!'
"ohould you like be an old maid"
"Well-no 1 think not.
eff we were married." insinuatingly,
81 should not be bachelor, nor you an
old maid
lone word for me and two for your
self. AS if I'd marry an antedeluvian
like you!'
Seriously, Fanny, like you more
than any o.her young lady that 1 know
Of And want you to promise me that
when my mother can be with me no
longer, and / need wife, that you will
be my WIFE
1.-The lmpudence!"
promise, Eighty"
"Ask me again, if you really want
me, when you do need me and then, if
there isn't anybody younger, and gayer,
and better-looking, and IS impudent
than you-why, III consider it"
Did you really say that, Eighty ?"
How dared you, FAM" murmured
Martie taking her hand protectingly.
"Oh, I'm quite safe, thauk you'll"
laughed the young girl
but not really engaged?' added
Nettie.
The bell!" came from oil at this
iuncture
And rising they repaired to their apart
ments
But they never forgot that talk around
the fire OF Fiighty's peculiar engage
ment to her grave cousin, Doctor Ingra-
ham,
Three years passed.
The Five-umvirate was dissolved /:
Clarissa vas earning handsome in
come as an artist; Nettie had married
and become leader of fashion Ella,
whose mother was dead, was now the
stately, handsome mistress of her fathers
mansion; Fanny had been bridesmaid
successiveiy to her three eldest sisters,
and was now to use her own expression,
"nursery-maid, governess, and elder
sister oil in one to the remaining six
children.
But Martie, dear little Martie, died.
Tint was the saddest of all, and grief
made woman Of Fanny. At first she
could not be comforted; but time ac-
eomplished at last what it always win,
and the girl became her own Light 4
hearted self but woman. th' /
1t WAS little Harry Andrews, birthday,
and Ella, always thoughtful for the
children, prepared an afternoon party
for him. asking only two grown people
Fanny, who came to look after her
brothers and sisters, and Doctor Iugra-
ham, without whom. to Harry's notion,
party was not worth having.
When the doctor came, Ella and
Fanny were standing together just out
side heavy crimson portiere, andas Ella
advanced TO meet him she discovered
that her friend was gone.
After a moment she said, Fanny has
disappeared; she was here q moment
since. Of course you want to see herr"
"Yes, the doctor replied, slowly; 81
have not seen Fanny since 1 returned,
for when we arrived my cousin was
visiting in London, and, as you know,
did not get home until yesterday"
"But you correspondent, and that is