Daily Republican., 1888-05-15
THE SECOND LOVE.

When ] found out what coquettt
Blanche Graham was resolved TO tie,
her spells. knew that If saw hel
any more | was weak enough TO be
come her prisoner for life, go | pecke;
up my things and with only few
written lines TO Blanche took trajf
for home.
| How glad every one was to see me
including Alice Edwards, my fostel
sister, poor little girl whom my
mother was bringing up, and whom
we all loved ss much as il she were Q
real blood relation. II took away
half OF the sting Of leaving Blanche tC
receive such II cordial welcome.
As time passed, however, l found
II was not as easy to root out all feel
ings OF the one / had left behind,
though Alice tried her best to comfort
me, like the dear girl she wac.
l thought l might find relief for
my troubled thoughts in business, and
engaged 10 take position with a MIR.
Custer, partner OF my fathers. For
| three years Travelled about the coun-
try for the firm, and the old wounds
OF love had healed at last.
One night, while dining with the
Clusters. | was introduced to a Miss
Elsie Bates who seemed to be the
most beautiful lady l had ever seen.
To make long story short. after some
acquaintance, proposed TO her.
In return she asked me If l was
heart-wholc, and 1 told her the story OF
my first love affair.
And did you never love Alice
Edwards?" she asked, with smiling
air Of inquisitlveness
"Alice Edwards. darling little
Alire2 Whv, IL really never
thought of i'll Love herr Yes, love
her. | believe-the poor, homely,
sweet,tempered childl She is a child
to me-my foster sister-and If mother
will give her 10 US how happy we
shall be!'
Before l had finished Miss Bates
arose and stood at my Ride-not in
anger, but in confidence and trust.
Placing her hand upon my shoulder
she said
"Alice has grown TO be a woman,
John, . not unbeautiful person l am
told. And your mothers letter TO
Mrs Custer, received 10 day, informs
her thar .ic entire tamily-your father,
mother and Alic-win w here in
lew days, Now, John, while do MT
doubt your love for me, | cannot ac-
cept your hand until you have seen
Alice and she consents that you may
take me for your wife" And she
was gone.
returned late the following even
Ing having seen nothing OF Miss Bates
in the morning before leaving.
l was, in fact, in temper; | didn't
care 10 see her-at least | said 80 10 !,
myself. The first person confronted
In the hall, as | entered, ere | bad !
doiled my hat, was my mother my
own dear mother, ,
''My boy, is it your" she sobbed,
looking wisttully into my face. "0h,
how changed, Jet my own boy"
"Your boy, mother, just as eFefp
Then father came forward, ana i
happy was the greeting
With one upon each arm l entered |
t parlor, my eyes wandering search.
iqgly around.
"Where Is she-~AliceP"
"Alice, darling, come" cried my
mother.
The library door opened, and there
stood Miss Batesl
"Johnny, dear, forgive mel" she
cried, as she fiew to my arms. 81 am
Alice Edwards
"Alice, darling, is it your" was all
l could say, es l strained her to my
breast.
"There, boy, you've got the right
girl this tlmel" exclaimed father, slap
ping me on the back. mo running
away now, sir, dye hear?"
"Dear, dear Johnnyl" my beloved |
whispered, her lips on my own
Dim r call d out Mr.. Custer;
and, drawing mother away-the hap
piest mother In all that city--father
led the way TO the dining room.
What a sightl Had the elves been
at work 10 transform the house into
bower of roses? | had read of the
"aroma of sweet dreams" as a poetic
fancy; here was the reality.
The room was festoOned with flow
ers, the table was loaded with them,
and between two plates lay two mag.
ntlcent camellias tied by white ard
blue ribbon. At these plates were we
Alice and I--scated.
The old folks confessed TO having
hatched the conspiracy to pass Alice
off as Miss Bates, seeing that she was
so changed in form and features as to
be unrecognizable by their son, whose
intense work.lfe they earnestly de
sired TO break up. And the result, l
was caught. Alice did feel trifle
guilty at that 'angling for hus-
b.nd," as Mr. Custer called it; but she
was SO supremely happy that she for.
got TO sigh over her share In the little
game.
Alice became my wife that Autumn,
when our dear old home in the sui
urbs of the metropolis witnessed
burst and blaze Of uuptial glory that
was nine days wonder.