The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-08-22
WILLIAM H. CoRBIN, Receiver.

ways said / was cut out for an old maid
And-and-we three can be very happy
here at home all our lives, can't WEI"
And here poor Frances broke down,
and cried bitterly.
"Don't mind me" said she. 81 shall
be quite used to it after a while"
1t was a brilliant January afternoon
the ground covered with snow, the sun
shining with Arctic splendor, and all the
streets musical with the joyous chime OF
sleigh bells-when Frances Crest arrived
at Mrs. Rigney's house in Albany.
"Why- Francie - Crest" calculated
the good lady, lis this your
81 came to surprise Lizzie, Aunt Jo-
sic" said the traveller, smiling family.
"Well, it will be a surprise" sd Mrs.
Rigney. $50 right up, dear. She's in
the parlor With
with Capt. Ellsworth"
"How ON earth did you know?" cried
the comfortable elderly lady. HAS she
written to your
'No, not a word" Frances answered.
"But I know it all, nevertheless"
She went on and knocked at the par
lor door.
"Come inf' called Lizzie's sweet So
prano voice; and, with a sudden quick.
ening of her heart, she obeyed.
Was that little Lizzie standing by the
fire, one dainty, slippered foot O the
fender, her cleaning silken gown held
up by a slim white hand, while her ex-
quisite profile was outlined against the
ruby velvet Of the lambrequin?
She looked more like a princess-a
fairy queen. In this atmosphere of
change and happiness she had fairly
blossomed out like a rose in mid June.
And that tall figure in the shadow be-
yond-
"Frances! Dear, dear Francesl"
In a second Lizzie was in her arms.
You got my letter, love--the letter !
wrote to you yesterday-the letter that
told you ALI"
81 have received no letter, Lizzie.
left home early this morning. But
where is Capt. Ellsworth
"Here-right here before your eyes.
Come here, Clarence, and let me intro
duce you to your new sister, for we are
engaged, Frances, Clarence and l. That
is my mysterious secret"
The tall figure advanced with a mill
tary sort of salute.
1t was not Stephen at all, but a taller,
younger, less impressive looking man.
Frances bowed in a bewildered way.
"But Stephen, where is Stephen she
asked.
"Gone down to Woodfeld, Francie,
after you Because he says he means
there shall be a double wedding if there's
to be a single one, and he declares he
won't wait any longer for you to make
be, to be sure, when he finds the bird has
flown! Are you very much surprised,
Frances? But, you see, Clarence is in
the regular army; not a mere militia
captain like Stephen. He is stationed in
Florida, and he was spending his leave
of absence with his cousins here in AL
bany; and so, of course, / couldn't helI
getting acquainted with him, because
Stephen came here every day to talk
about you, and Clarence always came
with him. And-Yes, Clarence; sc
away now and get the flowers for the
evening reception at Miss Birds, for I've
got so much to say to my sister"
She dismissed her handsome lover
with the nonchalance Of a queen, and
then showered caresses anew on Frances
''Isn't he splendid, darling?' she cried
'sAnd only think. l owe it all to you; fol
il it hadn't been for your sending me
here, l never SHOULD have met him al
all. And we'll telegraph to Stephen al
once, and you will consent to be married
at the same time with me-won't you
dear?"
EYES," said Frances, her eyes brim.
ming over with blissful tears, II willr