National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-13
YEARS AFTER.

you doing? Dreaming, declare! Did you
know, child, you have just fifteen minutes
to dress in lefore the dinuer.bell ringsY'
She had douucd her prettiest costumes
and brightest smiles in honor Of the new
arrival, Guy Edgerton. How my beautiful
sister would have laughed could she have
known that this same new arrival was the
hero of my dreams. ] will tell you how he
came TO perform so important a part in
them. We, at home, always made It prac-
tice to celebrate the birthdays with fete.
Five years ago, when II lacked but two
weeks Of my sister's birthday, my mother
died. We mourned her loss deeply, but
Kate, for her oath's sake, given in the shape
Of enamcled invitation cards, would not
give up her usual party.
"Oh, Kate, Ipleaded, "please don't have
IT,"
"You don't know what you are saying,
child. ! cannot retract after the invitations
are issued, and father thinks IL is best we
should have IT,
And so II ended. The party came of, |
protesting that would not appear In the
drawing room: and did not. But, sitting
alone ON the balcony, watched the forms
fit to and fro in the brilliant drawing room.
was crying bitterly, when n firm step
1
the gaze Of Guy Edgerton, my sister Kate's
most ardent admrer.
"Why do you not join the company, Miss
Howard ~
He bent forward and looked in my face.
"What, in tears, little oneN AT this
cried harder than ever.
"Won't you tell me what grieves you ?n
At this told him all. How II seemed TO
me saCrilegiOus so to treat my mothers
memory. lie said nothing, only smoothed
my hair tenderly until ceased weeping.
AS looked up he said;
Little Matte, am going away to-mor-
row; going to Europe. VIII you kiss me
/ was only 15, so raised my head and
Kissed him.
THANK you, little one; and when come
back will you give me n kiss Of welcome? /
have no mother, no sister, Matte. No one
to welcome me back. Will YOU ~
ayes, sir,n | sObbed.
lie said "Thank you" again and then left
me.
For five long years had heard nothing
from him; and now he had returned. This
is what had been dreaming about this
pleasant morning. The dinner.bell reused
me from my reverie. and hastily donning
my prettiGst blue muslin, ] sought the
dining room. As | entered, my father pre-
sentcd Mr.. EdgCrton.
"My little daughter, Mattie.n
81 think we are already acquainted" he
said, and then passed on.
For two weeks every young lady at the
house, save myself, tried her fascnations
upon him, but to no avail.
"What pity sighed Flo Archer, "that
his uptown mansion and huge bank stock
have no mistress!n
But her sighs were in vain. The last
morning of Mr.. Edgerton's stay the subject
Of conversation turned upon kissing. Mr..
Edgerton, sitting by, did not join in the
demanded Mr.. Edgerton's opinion.
"Now, really, Mr.. Edgerton, don't you
like to attend forfeit parties Y
"No, Miss Archer, do not think
kiss obtained by compulsion no kiss at ALL"
"Fie We shall get up a party on pur.
pose to test you. We believe you would
assist
81 certainly should not"
"Wby, Mr.. Edgerton You shall do
penance for that speech.n
~ am q willing sacrifice, Miss Layton.
What shall the penance be Y
"You are to tell what lady you kissed
last"
"That would not do, as the lady is present,
and would he the sufferer rather than my
selfn
"Well, then, you are to tell how long 1t
is since you kissed her."
"Will you promise not to doubt my
wordN"
WOh, certainly"
"Then, Miss Layton, l have kissed no lady
for the space Of five long years.
"Oh Guy is probably faithful to some
fair lady who favored him them" suggested
| Ned Archer.
"Exactly so, Ned,n and ne passed to meet
his valet, who came with letters.
My cheeks were burning, and / arose and
fled to my room.
"Mattie, you little goose, what are you
blushing forS" lie doesn't mean you."'
said this over to myself. but. somehow,
doubted my own words.
Here Kate burst in upon me.
"IIere you are, Puss; | have been out
| hunting for you. We have made up party
TO ride over to the Shaker settlement and
take dinner and return by moonlight. Won't
| IL be fun, and don't you want to gon
"No; guess ! had rather stay at home
and have quiet day of it.n
"What q little old maid II Is Well, 1t
needn't go unless 1t want to !" and she was
off. / watched them drive of. Then |
took my sewing and, ,ensconced myself IN
Scarcely had seated myself when some one
entered the room, repeating those lines Of
Leigh Hunts little ballad:
| Say Pm weary-say I'm sad.
Say that health and wealth have missed me;
| Say I'm growing old, but add
Jennie kissed me
My heart gave great bound, for | recog-
nized Guy Edgerton's voice. Not knowing
was there, he came to the very window
where was sitting. He drew back the cur
tain and looked in upon me.
| "Why, Matte you hereP | thought you
were out with the riding party. How cozy
you look here. May sit down beside
| you 2"
"Yes, sir" answered frankly.
His dark eyes searched my face mo,
ment, and then he said:
~ am going away tomorrow, little one
will you redeem your promise before goi
/ have carried the kiss you gave me last
through all my travels, darling, and have
brought 1t back to you pure as you gave it.
] have kissed no woman all the five years
For, do you know, Matte, you made con
quest of me that night when you kissed me
have loved you ever since, and now, dar
ling, you give memy kiss Of welcome, you
must give yourself with IL. Shall 1t be SO
darling? WIN you be my little wifeS"
knew then what he had been to me al
these years, so acted my simple self an(
kissed him. Chicago Netps,
|