The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30

Wicked, heartless girl Unfeeling daughter |!
The tempest that met her was storm OF kisses,
embraces, Of sobs and laughter. But what
was Harry Chase doing holding his hat apollo
getically, in the background, with his usual
little mild air Of wonder He was doing moth
forward with both her pretty hands, and said:
"My husband" when he proceeded to kiss,
shake hands and even embrace his new
relatives with prompt enthusiasm.
"Harry Chase" cried Janette, in utter
amazement "You don't really mean that
you've married Harry Chaser Is ii joke,
Lillian }"
~ think t an excellent joke for me-" said
"Of courseI've married Harry. You didn't
suppose ia marry any one else!" Lillian asked
reproachfully.
"Certainly moi" said Janette, still bewild-
cred. "But you were always playing off lit
tie pranks on Harry. You know you were.
''She has played the final one," said Harry.
with an air Of fond ownership; "there are no
more pranks to be laid at Mrs Chase's door"
"Mrs Chase Mrs Chase!" The children
seized on the name instantly and began wild
dance of delight around its owner. 1t was al
together such a wonderful idea that Lillian
should be Mrs Anything.
Jack had kissed her heartily with the rest;
he had shaken hands and congratulated Harry,
and then stood apart, looking on like one in
dream. He noticed the large, beautiful dia.
monds that glittered from the brides fair neck
and ears.
"Poor, empty, worthless heart" he thought
bitterly, you have brought your price,"
Through all these years of his life he never
knew why Lillian had married Harry Chase.
But jeanette knew In time. When Jack was
dead, and she had lived through her widow.
hood, and her children and Lilian's children
were counting and being courted, she learned
the unwritten Romance of her sisters life. They
were talking, as gray haired women will, OF
love and marriage, and the hearts deep joys
and sorrows, when Lillian said, earnestly
"You must have wondered often, Janstte,
about my marriage, because you knew me too
well to believe, as many did, that married
Harry for bis wealth."
"Oh, never for that, DEAR" Janette said. 81
know you never did, but have wondered
sometimes-if-you married him for love-"
"No," said Lillian, simply; 81 married him
because loved some one else; because loved
jack"
slack y said Janette, blushing as she looked
at her. my Jack !"
"Your jack" She smiled softly as she said
the words.
ooh, Lilian!"
eyes, loved him dearly; so dearly, Ja-
nette l can tell you now-it is all SO long
ago! jeanette, suppose quiet nature like
yOursscould never realize all my poor, wild
FOOLISH heart endured through those weeks af
ter Jack came back from Arizona and before
went away with Harry. l went because l
could bear it no longer. l was so glad when he
asked me to be his wife,"
'Oh, my poor Lilian" Janette's tears are
flowing fast as she holds Ter sisters hand
"And never dreamed"
mo one dreamed of it, dear-Jack, least of
ALL" said Lillian, calmly. 81 lived it down
years and years ago. And have been happy
with my dear, Harry, in our comfortable, COM
way. Yet, you see I've had my ro-
nance, too, like other people,"
She smiled, but her eyes were full of tears.
LILLIAN, dear And you loved Jack, and
you knew that he Lowell me. Oh, that was
hard ''
~ am glad 1 loved him." Lillian said
Madeline Bridges.