The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-03-03
u. window or peer carefully from the half

the window, or peer carefully from the hah
| closed shutters, but clasped my hands tightly
| over my eyes till the sound OF footsteps died
away IN the distance. Then crept stealthily
down stairs and stepped into the silent par
lor where NO lately no had been. was half
across the room before | noticed that was
not alone, and then, before could make a
hasty retreat, n glad, merry voice, rich with
It's golden music, exclaimed:
my own dear little Mrs. Haynes, as live!
How happy ! am to see your and hand
clasped mine tightly, while pair OF bearded
| lips were bent down TO mine. drew my
head back haughtily. was little child no
longer. would not accept, even from him,
the cares that he had bestowed upon me five
years before.
"Ah, Mr.. Haynes" | aid, bowling in a
dignifled way, 81 am pleased TO see you"
Ny manner chilled at once his warm,
genial nature. Stepping back from me and
releasing my hand he said, with curl OF his
finely cut lips:
"Your pardon, Miss Lester; had quite
forgotten that you had grown TO 10 a fine
ladyw
bowed him back reply, flashing quick,
impetuous glance upon him rs did 80. But
there was no pleasantly attempted on his
part, and when my mother entered the room
few moments after and referred laughingly
to our old engagement, he answered her in a
few evasive words as though the subject was
not an agreeable one to him
Affairs had taken an unhappy turn, but it
was too late ~ remedy them, and day after
day passed away, leaving Mr. Haynes as cold
and distant as he had been from the moment
| first repulsed him. l would have given
worlds to recall my unlucky words; yet, since
they were spoken, / would not unbend q
moment from my calm, cool dignity, though
| was rs miserable and wretched as l could
well be, and knew that Mr. Haynes shared
my wretchedness.
All the time that | could spend in my
chamber without being absolutely rude was
passed there till my strange, unusual appear
ance was noticed by my father and mother,
and my mood commented freely upon before
our guest
"You appear so strange, Pbebe," said my
mother one morning 81 really do not know
how TO understand you. Pm afraid Mr..
Haynes will think you are not pleased to see
him Every chance that occurs you reso-
lutely avoid him, us though no were the veri-
est monster, instead Of a dear friend. What
is the matterN
Nothing. The strangeness OF my appear
ance is but reflection. l cannot help it.
Mr.. Haynes hates and despises mo now" l
said, buryiug my fearful eyes in my hands
"Phebew
Ny mothers voice was stern and reproach-
full, but did not heed it..
''He does hate me, mother-hates me with
a.
"Your pardon, little Phebe-Miss Lester
but he does mott" broke in the rich, clear
voice of Mr.. Haynes. "Of all persons in the
world" He paused, and in a moment
more heard my mother step lightly from
the room,
81 am not cold, naughty and proud" l
said, exctedly, looking up into his face,
land do like you just as wcll--as WE'LL
What, little Phebe~ he asked eagerly, "a
quick expression of joy lighting up his blue
eyes.
"As well rs ever did" faltered
"And how well is thati So well that dur
ing all these weary years you have not cher
ished dream of the future that did not en-
circle me, so well that every strong
passionate hope of your womanly nature has
reached ont constantly to me! As well as
have liked, aye, loved you-till every pulse
of your heart beats for met As well as this,
! PhebeN
| lowered my face that he might not read
the whole expression of my love in my tell
tale eyes, and be shocked that it had grown
to be so near a wild, passionate idolatry.
"Will you become Mrs. Haynes in truth,
! in earnest, Phebef' he asked, drawing me to
my old seat upon his knee,
"Yesn
"And will at last wear the ringf'
held up my finger before his eyes.
my own darling little wife; at last my
little Mrs Haynes in good faith" he ex-
claimed, covering my lips with kisses.
That night there were sly looks and glances
cast toward ms at every turn, and at the sup
per table my father quite forgot himself and
called me little Mrs. Haynes" again.
Reader, have been happy wife for some
three blessed sunshiny years, and as you
may have already conjectured, my name Is
| Haynes"