Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-04-11

headed, obstinate woman, IL she Is my
first cousin. DO her good TO get set
down for once
So With Auntie Joan aiding and
abetting, companions arguing, and love
besecching from those handsome eyes
of Everson's the girl yielded, gid here
she was, the gayest of the gag.
1t neared midnight, an hour ex-
tremey late for quiet Mellenville.
Il must go home; auntie will be
really worried, and | have TO 60 away
round by Mrs. MaplesOn's to change
my suit
Just once more, darling, then | will
take you home, and tell your aunt OF
your secret promise given me tonight.
Hereafter, all her blame must fall on
me"
Alas! for that "once more A care
=. less starter at the top sent another
toboggan flying after Emerson's with
out the necessary pause between. There
came Il collision, sharp and frightful.
When it was over, lone lay lifeless on
the glistening snow, and Millett Emer-
son, with broken arm and bruised face,
bent over her, with an awful terror in
his heart
.
and with grief-striclien faces, watching
the cOoler-hoadcd few who could not
believe that the beautiful girl was dead.
A stretcher of soft robes was quickly
improviscd, and tenderly they laid her
upon it, and carried her TO the warmth
of the sheltered relreshment room.
There like heroesl they worked, till at
last the insensate form showed signs Of
life again. AT last consciousness re-
turned, and the pale lips tried to muir
muir "hOme."
And home they bore her, with ach-
ing hearts and streaming eyes; while,
needless to his own physical agony,
Millett Everson walked close beside
that rude litter, which seemed, indeed,
the bier OF all his hopes.
Miss SOuter met them at the door.
as this my child you bring me
dead? Whose fault is this?'
Mine, only mine cried poor Ever
son. "She is my promised wife, and
went tonight, but to please me. Would
to God | mad not tempted her."
Before this, rcverent hands had laid
the poor girl down, and lifted the
heavy coverings from her. DR.. Gray's
were among them.
As Lctitia's eyes fell on her darling,
clad in the obnoxious suit, all the stern
ness and hardness of her whole family
came into her heart,
Take her away! She but reaps
what she has sOwn,"
"Gou iceberg shouted the indignant
physician, springing toward her. "Do
you know what you say? Have you no
decency?"
A contemptuous laugh was his an
swer
TO my house, then" he Numbered,
and there they bore her. And there,
by utmost skill and tender nursing.
was she brought back to life and
health; and hlillett Everson as well,
whose strength gave out before he
reached its threshold.
Poor Miss Letitia! Her wrath was
soon exhausted. and then came the re-
action. In the awful desolation which
settled upon her home. she realized
what she had done; and then she suf-
fered, as only strong natures can.
One evening, sheltered by the friend.
ly darkness, a tall, pale woman tapped
softly at the doctors study door. Open
ing it, he admitted his old-time love.
81 want TO see lone"
"You can't
"What! must. Oh, dear old friend!
I'm crushed and broken; don't be hard
on me now"
The mans kind gray eyes twinkled.
For the first time in a twenty-year's
courtship, the odds were in his favor
Son one condition. yo may"
"Quick, then. | mean to find her
I'm going
Not yet" A burly form barred the
way.
Come to your senses, and say you'll
be my wife. You know you've always
wanted to say yes, but for that cranky
Souter obstinancy."
you old"
Darling! that's right. That's what
/ wanted to hear you say. Give me "a
kiss. I've earned it," In vain, the
good woman resisted. A strong arm
cla5ped her close, and gray beard
rutlled tho satin surface Of her maiden
ly cheek.
Then followed. of course, n flood OF
tears, which the wise physician let have
its course. When it was over, and the
still dewy eyes were raised, a smile
crept over both their faces.
What ridiculous pair of old foolsr'
cried the half-happy, half-ashamed Lee
titia.
"All things come TO him who waits, -
quoted her faithful swain. Now, I'll
take you to lone" And tucking her
arm under his own, he led her away in
triumph.
What an evening followed! what fun
and frolic! that tried to- but could not,
hide the deepot feeling Of four happy,
grateful hearts.
OF course, there was pardon begging
all around and "a general sense in each
ones mind that he or she had behaved
outrageously, ana been most generous.
ly forgiven.
Not many weeks later there was 6
double wedding, TO which the younger
guests came, clad in white toboggar
suits, and Mt which world of merri
ment prevailed.
And when the younger bride anC
groom had set their faces cityward
Miss Letitia-now Mrs. DR.. Gray
heaved one long sigh, and laid down