Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-08-22

ache u better b. this time"
"You on speak 10 her if you please"
Mrs. Green vent up stairs 10 a state OF
great excitement.
"Leona, my dear, put on your brown
dress and go down 70 the parlor. Tse
minister dbsires 20 see you"
Leona looked at Mrs Green in Hnfeigu-
ed surprise.
"Do as 1 tell you, and you need not
come back bere. I was litele hasty last
Sunday, and you must excuse me-"
Leona almost thought her ears had
deceived her. but she did as she ives bid
den.
1t was very pretty girl who entered
the parlor. Her dress WAS Of cheap ma
terial, but somewsy she looked neat and
stylish. The minister managed his WOO
ing in a very satisfactory manner. Lsona
had always res pected and admired him,
aud she knew she could easily learn TO
love him. When he left the house he had
permission to call as often as he pleased,
and he also had the assurance that soine-
time in the near future, Leona would be
come mis- bride.
The next morning when the Rev. Mr..
Greeley went down to his breakfasf, he
AOluu = hHtNH thA gun AAbAALS nm w
visit an old friend who was dangerously
i'll. He swallowed a few mouthfuls, aud
wrote the following to Leona:
II am called to visit an old friend who
ia very i'll. regret that | cannot come
TO bid you adieu; / have scarcely time TO
catch the train. Bot / hope to be back
soon, and trust you will then be ready to
name the wedding day. remain, dear
est, your devoted,
LEwIs G. GREELEY.
He directed al envelope hastily 70
Miss l.. Downs, placed the note within
and gave 1t to boy TO post. Fifteen
minutes later ne Was wh,rling rapidly
swcy.
That afternoon Miss Laura Downs, Il
young o. lady who was no relation to
LsOna, sauntered into the large kitchen
where her mother was ironing, and stated
that she wRs going TO the pOstoffice. Half
an hour later the minister's letter was in
her possession, and when she returned
home her small, faded eyes sparkled with
delight
Mamma, do listen to this" and she
read the tender epistle aloud.
"Well, il that doesn't beat natur'," and
the old lady lifted both hands in sur
prise.
"Oh, of course | expected this, but still
IL is very sudden, and 1t seems TO me that
he takes things for granted in remark
able manner"
"WhRt will you say to him Lamar
con, l shall scca OF him, OF course. The
dear manm and Miss Downs Uttered very
triumphant'y.
The old lady put aside her ironing,
dCuned her bonnet and went out TO tell
the news. Before night it was nearly ali
over town that the minister and Laura
Downs we're engaged, aud some enterpris
ing gossip had even stated that they were
to 6e married in q few weeks. Many
wondered at his choice, for Miss Downs
WAS rather plain, and her manners we're
not exactly faultless.
She said her age was twenty-five, but
according 70 the ssatemen; of the family
Bible, she must have seen q least thirty
Ave summers.
The next day Mrs. Green heard the
story. She went home in great anger TO
tell Leora
81 cannot believe it," was the faint
response.
Indeed, / tell you that it is 30. Mrs.
Downs told Mrs. John Smith and Sarah
Jane Smith rold me-"
"Then he Ia far from an honorable
man"
"He can be sued for breach of prom
Use"
mo, let him CO." and Leona covered
her face with her hands to conceal the
tears.
II rather guess he will have to leave
town." and Mrs. Green's eyes flashed aug
rilly.
Meanwhile the Rev. Mr.. Greeley, quite
unconscious of the excitement he had
caused, was by the side of his friend.
The day after he arrived the sufferer
passed quietly away, and in II few days
the minister returned home. His first
call was at Mr. Green's. Mrs. Green met
him at the door with oountenanoe dark
"a midnight.
"Ahl so GU have got back at last" was
her greeting.
"I have. Ia Leona at homer
"She is, but hardly think she cares to
see you"
please explain"
"You had better go to Laura Downs for
an explanation"
~ do not understand you"
"Let me tell you, sir, that man who il
engaged to two girls at one time is mean
villain"
"But never was in that position
"Yuu cannot deny that you wrote love
letter to Lsurs Downs just before you
went away, and that she is expecting to
marry you"
Laura Downs is nothing to me. l
wrote to Leona the morning went, and
to no other person.
Leona never received an, letter from
you
The minister az once saw the mistake
that had been made. He could not re-
frain from smiling, as he explained the
matter. When he had finished, Mrs
Green grasped him warmly by the hand
and invited him to enter the house.
The affair was not explained so salts
faotorily to Miss Laura Downs, but she
soon left town, and vas finally married
to a wealthy widower.
Iua few months Leoha was married
aud went to the pretty cottage shiloh was
,pitt