Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-01-08

enough, all the sympathies Of the Dull
elmer family were on the side Of pref
sty Hannah, and thcre had been a sort
OF FAINT hope that Miss Milfern might
possibly relent in favor her younger
rival. "a @ S '.'s=5.
Her thoughts were any thing but
pleasant, however, as she went home:
Harry Sevior was ready on the
porch. but she did not join him, as
would have seemed most fitting, but
merely slipped in at the back way,
It seemed to her that he had never
looked so young before; and as she
glanced at the cherry wood mirror in
the sitting-room, her own face appear
ed absolutely haggard and old.
''Pshaw!' said she. s How would I
look in white silk hat trimmed with
white rose-buds?n HEN 81 LII H 8,E T.
Martha Midfern was heroine in her
way. A minutes serious thought set
tied the question. 1t was bitter pill
to swallow, but it was her duty. She
put the bright vision of her life val
iantly aWayfr6m her, and went out to
Mr.. Sevior on the porch.
Harry" said she, with a rather
forced laugh, ''it's a woman's privilege
to change her mind isn't it? And I've
changed mine.'' Z E ~ ;, >
He looked at her in Armament.
What do you meant said he.
Eve concluded not to marry you,o
said Martha, hurting out her words.
II don't think we are suited. I'm
better off as.I am. And you-Han-
nah Dulcimer will make you a good
little wife, l am sure"
Martha" he said, rising hurriedly,
II have never asked to be released
from our engagement, have I?''
. "No," said she, sharply, mo! But
don't Itell you that I've changed my
mind? Let us always be freinds-the
best OF friends-but nothing more!"
Doctor Pa]ey came around the next
day to see about buyinga strip OF
Miss Medfern's meadow land, and
Martha told him all.
He was one of those snug, comforta-
BILE, elderly gentlemen to whom it
seems natural to confide all ones
troubles and perplexities.
did do right?" said she.
eyes, l think you did," said Doctor
Paley; ''but there isn't one woman
in q thousand who would have acted
as you did, Martha"
ITO tell the truth" said Martha,
~ am beginning to believe that l new
or really loved him, or could not
have given him up"
my opinion exactly" said the doc
tor, visibly Frightening.
And he pulled Miss Midfern's work
basket toward him and began winding
and unwinding her balls of colored
silk.
AFTER all, he was great deal too
young for me-" said Miss Midfern,
calmly. ~ can see all these things
now; l should simply have made my
self ridiculous. Hannah Dulcimer is
much better suited to him.
eyes, think so, too," said DR.. Pa
ley, twirling the scissors around and
around. "By the way, didn't you tell
me that you had ordered the wedding
eyes," said Miss Midfern, with a lit
tie grimace.
"And what are you going to do with
it,"
"Countermand the order, suppose"
said Miss Midfern.
''Don't," said Doctor Paley.
"Eh?" said Miss Midfern.
"Wear it," said the doctor.
"Where?" said Miss Midfern.
ITO your own wedding" said the
doctor. "Marry mel"
"Well, declared" said Miss Midfern,
in amazement.
"Do" said Doctor Paley. "1've
liked you this long time, but when
saw how tender and loyal you could
be to that poor invalid, I found out
that loved you. Don't laugh at ME
give me a chance"
"Well, I WILL" said Miss Midfern,
swallowing a lump in her throat.
For she was only a woman, after all,
and it did seem pity that the wed
ding bonnet should be wasted.
And so, instead of one happy couple
there were two"
Gone wedding" says the proverb,
"makes another"
And perhaps the same rule holds
true in regard to engagements.