, 1888-02-23
pray wait" I cried, .1sha1 have enough

pray wait" I cried, "Ishau have enough
Of that SOON"
II wasn't going to scold YOU" said
Cousin John, Il was only going to say,
~supposing you and l nave n wedding of
gu own. Then we can look after your
bonnet"
What do you mcan2' And then I
laughed.
Il mean," he said, with extra dignity,
THAT / ask you to marry me. Will
your"
'Goodness-no!'' / cried, and reach
ing the hitching post by Aunt Rhoda's
door, l sprang out, before he could re-
monstrate.
l pcePed into the best room rs 1 stole
under the window. Yes, Cousin John
was right; Aunt Rhoda was Mrs. Luke
Potter, there was no doubt, judging from
the congratulations now being poured
out before the stiff couple standing in
front of the fireplace, and l rushed into
the house and up the back stairs, glad of
that. AT the head stood Aunt Matilda
Smith.
"Well, Kitty, 1 must say / shouldn't
want 10 be in your shoes"
Whats the matter?" 1 cried, a little
Grossly, for | was wet and shivering to
the bone, and the excitement was over.
''MIatter2 do hear the girll'' cried Aunt
Matilda. At that, quite a little ompan
of relatives gathered around me.
Have the goodness aunt, to let me
pass by" l cried.
"Hitty, is that Hitty?'' called a voice at
the DOT of the stairs. "Her Aunt Rhodn
wants to see her down here at once"
At this, all the aunts and cousins opened
rn1l-e o,1 cppGiInrafp1 oIl,x,oI 49, 4,
pass through, and watched me descend
with mingled satisfaction and curiosity,
hurrying after to be at the denouement.
l nearly pitched my length down the
stiff, old fashioned stairs, but determined
to keep n brave front, shut my lips firmly
together, hoping no ono would hear my
teeth chatter. At the foot some one
whispered: Don't be afraid" 1 glanced
up; it was Cousin John.
l don't know why, but 1 gave him
back n look that made the color leap TO
his cheek that was quito white before,
and he said just as truly with his eyes rs
if he lad spoken: II will never forsakc
you" Something in my throat chokcd
me; l was conscious that l was half
frozen, but even that seemed warm in
comparison to h chilling looks l re
ceived on all sides; the worst of all /
could sec as l entered the best room was
the expression on the face of Uncle Abicl.
The text moment l was before the
bride and groom. The buzz of converse
ton stopped instantly. 1t was as still rs
death throughout the room.
''Mehitable," said Mrs. Luke Potter. in
harsh tones, you thought best to take
my wedding night to play pranlis with
II was given to you in trust. Now /
take the same time to say before every
one present that you shall never touch a
penny of mine. You may start out Of
this house rs soon rs you find it convcn-
lent. That's all; now CO."
l looked at my Uncle Abiel. He was
so angry he turned his face away. In
an effort to be proud and defy them all.
| opened my mouth, but the chill had
gained on me so that l set up u violent
chattering instead, unable to utter q
word. Some one took my cold hand
and drew it within his arm.
''Instead of going, we have a word to
say" declared Cousin John, Mt his tall
est, and drawing the roomful within his
glance, "and will use no hesitancy in
airing it now. We are betrothed, Aunt
Rhoda," he announced, turning his
handsome head toward Mrs. Potter,
''and, begging your pardon, don't in the
least care for you old money. Now,
then, all come on with your congratula-
TONS
l felt n warning pinch on my cold
fingers to hold in check the establishment
in my eyes at hearing q bretothal an
nounced that had never taken place.
And then such q wealth of peace and
strength came into my heart, that 1 was
happy just to bonear him. l was in a
new world Of love and protection, and 1
forgot to SILVER in the cold, while l
smiled and Flushed in the right places as
tho relatives trooped around us with
their astonishcd congratulations. Uncle
Abiel came as soon as he could extricate
himself from his corner.
"Well, young man., - he cried excitedly,
you've done well. In short time, too
heyf"
"That's So, said Cousin John, giving
the brown hand a hearty shake. (He
told mo afterward he ached to wiring his
neck.) But long enough TO know my
own mind"
The first momont I could l drew
Cousin John out into n corner of the old
hall, at least three yards away from any
sharp ear.
"Oh, how could your" 1 cried.
We've never been engaged. I told
you, No."
Cant help it; you'reeyes said Yes"
There's no stopping it now, Kitty.
Wen havo a wedding bonnet of our
own."-Providence Journal.