The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-12-22

A way came sooner than they had
thought. One day Arthur surprised his
father looking at an old picture of sweet
girls face, with wistful, blue eyes, and
wealth of golden curls shading high, white
brow that looked the very home of inno-
cence and purity. As Arthur approached,
Mr.. Grant looked up with an almost boyish
blush tinging his bronzed cheek, and thrust
the picture hastily into his desk. But not
before Arthur had seen it and guessed his
fathers secret.
Father, she loves you yet, he said.
What do you mean, boy?" cried Mr..
Grant.
81 mean that Miss Elsie Hayward wears
your opal ring next her heart" said Ar
thur, boldly, land that she does not know,
to this day, why you left her."
Oh, false, false y murmured Mr. Grant,
sinking down into his chair and burying
bis face in his hands, Ibid she tell only
of my detection, and not of her own per.
idy gn
Then Arthur told his father all tNiat
Winifred had said, and scarcely had he
ended than Mr.. Grant abruptly rose and
left the house.
II was a lovely, bright summer afternoon,
md Miss Hayward was again seated in her
pretty parlor, behind closed blinds, half
hidden by the lace window hangings, which
threw softened shadows across her sweet,
calm face.
She was very pretty yet. Her hair,
whose golden hue defed the touch Of time,
was gathered in graceful knot at the back
Of her well-poised head. Her cheeks were
yet fresh and fair, softly tinted with pale
pink, like the inside of some rare sea-shell,
and her lips had not lost those dainty curves
which had long ago given them such
charm for her lover.
Again she held the opal ring, which she
had taken from its golden chain, touching
il caressingly, and wondering, sadly II SIZE
should ever know why her lover deserted
her, when--as it were but yesterday he had
parted from her, Grant, her
whilom lover, bent over her, and taking
the ring from her yielding. nerveless hand,
he put it on the slender forefnger, where
once before be had placed it with fcnd
kisses.
She had not heard hum enter the room
(though admitted by the servant), and 1t
seemed as il she awakened from dream TO
hear him say:
Elsie, dear, will You forgive me, and
wear it again for my sake ?''
She saw her lovers face before her,
changed, and yet the sainei for the love
that had once been hers shone again in the
deep gray eyes that met hers SO entreating.
ly. Then she forgot the years of lonely
suffering; forgot the doubts and pains;
aad laying her hand in his. said, simly;
81 love you, Arthur; there is nothing 20
forgive now"
When they could speak calmly he told
her how, on that memorable evening, Re
had come softly up to the porch intending
to surprise her; had heard voices, when he
supposed her alone; had seen in the dim
starlight o masculine head leaning ON her
shoulder had heard her say, distinctly
g Fred, darling, you shall have plenty of
kisses when Arthur isn't here; and / will
love you just as much as II were not en-.
gagged" Had gone home in an almost in
sane st tie of jealous rage, and, never doubt
ing but that he had surprised some former
lover with her, of whom he had been kept
in ignorance, had written her that cruel
letter, and had gone at once abroad. All
this, and more Miss Hayward now learned.
I" 1t was my SISTER winifredp she ex-
claimed. Erred was my pet name for her.
o, Arthur, how could you doubt me SO"
That was her only reproach. Like true
woman she took back the lovor who still
hal her heart, and was supremely happy in
his return. As they sat side by side, deep
In memories Of the past, the door again
softly opened, and winifred and Arthur
stood on the threshold like two culprits.
ssAh, these are our two little matchmak-
ers I" said Mr.. Grant, smiling. May ]
tell them, dear Elsie, that theirs is not to
be the only wedding?'
And blushing deeply as winifred herself,
Miss Elsie said
+. Yes"
Before the summer was ended there was
quiet wedding one evening in the pretty
parlor. Miss Elsie, in q soft gray silk, al
most covered with rare lace, gift from
her happy, il elderly bridegroom, was the
bride.
"What do you think of the opal rings
now ~ asked winifred, mischievously, as
she stood watching the happy light that
filed her dear aunts eyes and gave such
placid beauty to her sweet face.
q think that one must not put faith in
blind superstitions," said the newly-made
bride. Dear child" she added, with
tender solemnity, my happiness has come
after years of pain. God grant that yours
may begin with the New Year" For then
was TO be Winifred's wedding-day.