Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-07-07
M|HN|E'S choice,

to you now? No, | will do something
tor myself-teach, or write, or sew
something's There is some niche va.
cant waiting for me-"
"The niche my sisters death left
vacant years ago, Minnie, darling,
we have been sisters in love ever since
our school-d days, let US be sisters still.
am wealthy, you are left poor by this
days sad work; now let me plead fol-
your presence, your love. Come home
with me. You may sew, teach, write,
anything you will-but let my home
be yours. You are too young to live
alone. Come, brighten my fathers
life and mine"
And after much pleading, the young
petitioner won Minnie to her will
The pretty, childlike girl, who that
day had buried her father, having been
motherless from infancy, was indeed
too young, too innocent and lovely, ia
live alone in this cold, censorious
world.
She had been the petted darling OF
her father, who had been SO lavish OF
his income, to supply every desire OF
within OF his child, that his death left
her penniless.
Laura Goodwin, her chosen friend
at school, had come from her own
pleasant home to comfort Minnie in
her sorrow, and brought her fathers
cordial invitation to the orphan to make
his house her future abode.
Widowed himself, with one child,
he could readily sympathize in Min
MES sorrow, readily second Laura's
generous desires.
He was waiting at the station for the
travellers, when they reached the town
where he lived; and, in the dim twi-
light, Minnie could see his tall, erect
figure and dignified carriage, but his
face was not distinct in the gathering
| darkness.
But when, in his own parlor, he
drew her into his arms, and said gently,
"You must let me fill your father s
place, my child" Minnie saw that the
face bending over hers was kind and
good, noble and true; and she shared
Laura's good night kiss with sigh of
relief feeling that her new home was
second only TO her own.
Not many DAYS elapsed before Min
ME insisted on maintaining her indie
pendcnce; and Laura procured for her.
from her own friends, dainty embroid
cry well suited for such fairy fingers,
and for which she was well paid.
Whether the sums gained or lost any
thing by passing through Laura's fin
gers, Minnie never thought to inquire
And soon after Minnie's advent into
the family, there came another change.
Laura, the stately beauty, found that
her heart had wandered from the
home boundary TO rest upon another
love offered and accepted. Her lover
was a gentleman in every way calcu-
lated to make her happy-a true, good
man: and Mr.. Goodwin gave a willing
consent to her marriage
The long evenings following the an
nouncement OF this engagement were
very pleasant ones for Minnie Her
own mourning kept her from gay as
semblies, and Mr.. Goodwin was very
well pleased to let Younger escort
take his place beside Laura. He was
getting old. he said, though but little
past So felt the cold severely, and was
ant TO come home languid after the
business of the day was over
Minnie soon learnt that il was Meas.
ant TO her kind protector for him 10
hear her read. sing, talk: and MS these
long evenings drew them more closely
torether. she found her chief nleasure
was to listen 10 the words Of advice.
wit. or wisdom that he gave her. She
was tn him a sweet, loving child 10
he guided. tauCbt and melted. he IL
her became n hero. a nan 10 revere
honor. and trust
It wanted but a month of Laura,s
weddinr-dav when one afternoon. as
he Girls We're sitt;nr in he narlo,
WAITING the summons to dinner. q
heavv 3aIi overheaJ startled both
MI Goodwin's library which was
directly above them was evidently the
room from w Whence the noise came, and
fer n moment Of silent CONSERVATION
the two ron Swif,lv IN stairs
Tho friend and faiher law unon the
floor. where he had fallen after lew
inc bis chair struck down with nara-
lvsis insensihle
II was many DAVIS before sneech was
restored. more before motion came TO
anv limb. bnt in The long illness
Minnie threw off all timidiiv. and
Laura was not herself a more tender ar
careful nurse. The Amounted we'd
ding dav was over. when one morn
inr, Laura beckoned Minnie from the
inyalid's room, and took her into her