Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-01-07
| MISS MIDFERN'S WEDDING.
nY rrLrv ronREsr akAvrs.

49, D~~
Miaisrn, "and now his words have
come true"
There had been n railroad accident
on the BLACK Rock and Rewnesvoort
Line" The engineer had been killed
Mt his post, the telescoped train had
caught fire, one passenger was taken
up for dead, and all the rest were
more or less bruised, wounded and
terrified; and by the way OF sequel to
the rest, Miss Midfern's barn was
burned to the ground, with all tho
newly-garnered store OF hay, and the
new patent reaper, which had cost
such q sum OF money. The farmhouse
itself had narrowly escaped; the cat
tie being at pasture, were fortunately,
unhurt.
Miss Midfern never had been a nerv-
Gus woman, but she was q little pale
as she stood on the front porch, look
ing at the wrecked train, whose
hands were hard at work.
Flows the young mani" said Mrs.
Dulcimer, who lived on the nearest
tarm.
Hes better" said Miss Midfern.
Mrs. Dulcimer sighed. Even in q
railway accident, luck seemed to go on
the opposite side of the boundary
fence, which separated the two estates
Of Dulcimer and Midfern. Why, she
asked herself, could not tie pleasant
looking young man with the diamond
studs have been flung into the arms OF
her four unmarried daughters, instead
OF falling to the lot OF Martha Mid
fern?
"Going to recover" said Mrs. Dul.
elmer.
That's what Doctor Paley hopes"
"If you want any help in nursing
him" ieebly began Mrs. DuIcimer.
Much obliged, I'm sure" promptly
answered Miss Midfern; but don't
require any assistance"
Mrs. Dulcimer made no reply, but
she glanced obiiqueiy at Miss Midiern
and thought that there was no danger
Of any mans losing his heart to that
wry-faced old maid.
III it had been my Caroline Augusta,
now, or Hannah! thought Mrs. Dull
elmer, with a thrill OF maternal pride
But there is no accounting for the
freaks OF Cupid. Henry Sevior was
young and grateful. DIR. Paley told
him truthfully, that Martha Midfsrn's
careful nursing had saved his life, and
one autumn evening, in n burst of
gratitude, he laid that life at the mid
cleared woman's feet.
"Do you really mean it7" sail
Martha. who had never had q bonafde
offer of marriage in her life.
And she blushed red and white like q
girl.
lis it likely that | should jest on
such a subiect?" said Harry, earnest
ly.
But / am older than you.
. ain years, perhaps-yes. But what
dIferencedoe that maker"
So Miss Martha Midfern became en-
gagged TO the handsomeyoungG Georgian
whom fate had drifted to her door.
II supposepeople will laugh at me-"
she thought, But ~there-why should
! care? He loves me and | love him,
and that is enough. But guess we'd
better keep the secret to ourselves
just at present.
As the beautiful October woods
blazed forth in their mellow autumn
tints, Mr.. Sevior began to stroll ont a
little way at n time, to sit on me ssy
powders and dream beside merry
little brooks. And one day Hannah
Dulcinler came dancing home from
q search after nuts in the woods.
1--WE seen him, mother" said She
"the Captive Knight! The old witch
has let him out Of the tower for
awhile. And he'sas hand some as
picture! and oh mother, he is so nice!
And he is coming here this afternoon
to see the view from Apple-Tree Knoll.
May | bake fresh angel cake, mother
And can Sarah Alice make some van
lila fritters2"
What will Martha Midfern say?"
uttered Mrs. Dulcimer.
"As if that ~signiiedr' gaily retorted
Hannah, who was the youngest and
prettiest OF all the Dulcimer girls. He
isn't hers, is he?"
And then she an upstairs to brush
out her auburn curis, which were
blown into silky confusion by the
wind, and to put into water the
cluster of blue asters which Mr.. Sevior
had given her.
Nobody was to blame-in these un.
fortunate y nobody ever is to
blame. But the mischief was all done
before poor Hannah Dulcimer found
out that Harry Sevior was the cap
tive OF Martha Midfern's bow and
spear. And Harry himself awakened
at last to a consciousness OF his LIES
mistake.
He was q Georgian gentleman, how
ever, and honor was dearer to him
rel than love, so he made no sign.
Hannah, however, was less reticent
and self-contained; and when Martha
MIdfern anne over to consult Sarah
Alice Dulcimer, who was a milliner by
trade, a. to the wedding bonnet,
Hannah came into the room with red
eyes and burning cheeks.
"0h, Martha! Martial" she sebbed.
al know it isn't maidenly, but cant
help it. Iloye him, and he loves me
Oh, Martha, be magnanimous and
leave him to mel"
Hannah, hold your tonguel" cried
Sarah Alice, greatly scandallzed.
AZ can't help i'll" walled Hannah,
wringing her hands and rocking to and
SIC, like one in mortal pain. IL love
him, and he loves me, and he is Ell.
gagged to you, Martha Midferni Oh,
what is to be done?"
Martha turned pale. More than
onc some inkIing of this unfortunate
complication had crossed her mind,
but she had dismissed it as too utter
ly improbable.
"He has never asked for his free.
dom, " she said, hoarsely.
Because hei Is too good-too noblel'
Historically cried Hannah. He
would die sooner than forfeit his word.
But you-you, Martha-you will not
let him sacrifice his life. Oh, Martha,
think how terrible it would bel"
Hannah, Pm astonished at you!"
said Sarah Alice. Mother, do get
her out of the room"
And poor Hannah was taken, Sob
bing, from the presence of the bride
expectant.
Martha Midfern ordered the wedding
bonnet-white shirred silk, with a
wreath Of white rosebuds crossed over
with silvery green and white satin
strings.
ait may look a little youthful" she