The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-03-20

especially with the squire's daughter
whom, it was whispered, he was
about to maryland he always
bowed gravely to her, but no more.
How handsome he was How dull
and insi2nificant other young men
seemed beside him. What a good
son he was What rising young
mani With what manliness had he
addressed herl Why did he not
speak to her now? Such were the
thoughts that were continually run
ming in the foolish little girls head,
and that especially tormented her,
as she was on her way to the we'd
ding at Farmer Wentwor. h s.
Would she meet him there ? 1t was
the first frolic of the season, and her
heart throbbed at the idea. She
stopped at the door, and looked into
the large keeping room," where
was going on a most vigorous hand
shaking, and how-de-doing.
"How are YEP" said voice close
in her ear. "Feel Skeery? do
Let's go in together, and kinder take
the edge off, and Eph Schenck's
arm was thrust out at her, like
bent pump-handle. Lots of folks
here" pursued Eph. "Knew there
would be. Folks alters likes to come
here, they give such good feeds.
Gracious Look at that air shirt,
and them studs Guess he thinks
he's some, now he's goin' to marry
the squire's darter." Dora looked
up in time to meet the roguish
Glance of James, who had heard
Eph's remarks. "There comes the
BRIDE" went on the inexorable.
"Nice gal, she is. Should made
up to her myself, only I'd made up
my mind for some one else. They
say she's had nine new dresses
made. How would you like to be
married, and have SO many gowns?"
Fortunately the ceremony here in
tervened, and Eph was obliged to be
quiet, but scarcely was it over, when
he commenced again. "That's quick
done, amt it, now? Nuthin' SO
dreadful, is it; after all? Come on.
Everyone's goin' up to kiss and
shake hands, and then they'll go in
for supper"
Dora looked around her in des-
peration. There was a small door
open behind her, which led, as she
well knew, into the kitchen, and
without stopping to reflect, she
darted through it, and began to run
toward home all the faster that she
fancied she heard Eph behind her,
till in her haste she stumbled over
the root of tree, and fell to the
ground, spraining her ankle severely.
"How could you be so imprudent,
and what made you run SOP" said
James voice, the moment after, as
he stood by her side. "Did you
think would let you go home so I?
Are you hurt ?"
l don't know" answered Dora,
family. He stopped and tried to
raise her. She groaned and shrank
back. II am afraid l can't stand"
"Then l will carry you," he said,
promptly.
"But l am so heavy, and it is so
far"
81 wish it were twice the dis
tance," he whispered. Dora made
no reply, but her head rested quite
confdingly on his shoulder, and her
little hand lay against his cheek.
He carried her in silence, till they
could see the lights of the deacon's
house. snow, Dora, speak," he
burst out. "You have had long
time to reflect. Quick Dora, for
this is the last time shall ask you" :"
1t was the faintest of all possible
whispers that answered him but if
James face, when he reached the
light, was any index of his feelings,
it must have been a satisfactory
one.
There was Il wedding shortly
after. All the mammas with mar
riageable sons shook their heads,
and the deacon and Mrs. Maxwell
groaned whenever it was referred to,
and said they'd done their best,
but Dora was headstrong girl, and
the will of Providence must be
done.
There was none of the "linen, and
china and plate" went into the cot
tage that James fitted up for his
bride, and all the broad lands and
fine cattle remained for the dowry
of the other two girls. There were
few visitors, either, at the cottage,
and of these, very few who ever fail
ed to lament, in roundabout way,
over "Dora's dreadful mistake" as
her family called it; but James only