Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-02-06

wrote, land people say that there will
be wedding soon"
Why should Nettie's cheeks flame
and pale so suddenly as she read itp
And why should she care who Charlie
paid attention TOP Jennie had been
her dearest friend, but
The door bell rang at that moment
and servant came up with Clinton
Ames' card.
did l surprise you?" he asked,
after an impetuous, airy declaration OF
love. ''You must have read my feel
ings toward you, dearest. Tell me that
you return my lovem
Why notP Charlie should never know
that she cared.
Il will marry YOU" she said, as
with averted face, she placed her hand
in his and coldly permitted his be-
trothal kiss. "Only beg that our en-
gagement be kept secret"
''If you will not make me wait too
long for my BRIDE" he assented.
1.-Two months, only In two months
come TO my home and will be ready"
The two months passed away only too
quickly, and the wedding day dawned.
Nettie had overcome all opposition to
her sudden engagement, and made her
preparations with u resolute and defiant
air.
She had not seen Charley Alton
since her return, and Jennie Wells had
called but once, to go away in puzzled
resentment at her reception.
Delay the wedding Your uncle is
making inquiries, and they may not be
answered to our satisfaction. We had
no idea matters had progressed so
far" her aunt wrote in answer to
her mothers anxious letter.
But Nettie would conse mt to no
delay.
The wedding was to be at the church,
for the bride willed it so, and many of
the curious villagers assembled there
early.
Charley Alton was there in the dark
est corner-there to witness the death
OF his fondest hopes, simply because he
could not stay away.
The village pastor arose in his place,
and there was flutter of expectation,
followed by an ominous pause; then he
said, In an embarrassed voice, plainly,
audible:
mo licenseP Then the ceremony
can not proceed. BY the laws OF Maine
the parties wishing TO be united in
marriage must be published upon the
books OF the town clerk where they
reside five days"
Charley Alton stole out with the
feeling of Il reprieved criminal who
has stood in the shadow OF the gai-
lows.
1--WE might go over into New Bruins
wick aud buy our license" ventured the
disappointed groom, when, with Nettie
and her parents, he sat uneasily in
their parlor and listened to the amused
chattering Of the wondering villagers,
as they returned to their homes.
'Now answered Nettie, impatiently.
at was stupid OF me-" added Mr..
Ames, in depreciation. ''But we can
be published at once, and the wedding
will only be delayed five days"
Every we'll" answered Nettie, with
an ominous fash of her eyes. which he
failed to understand; and he took an
awkward leave,
Pm so relieved! How fortunate
that he was so forgetfulr' cried Aunt
Mary, who had come in haste, and
arrived shortly after Mr.. Ames had
left
And then she told the story-com-
mon enough-of au eXtravagant young
man who wished TO better his cond ition
by marrying the daughter of wealthy
parents.
"True-every word" added her
uncle. mo doubt he Ii ked you too,
but it was the money-W ny. she has
gonew
For Nettie, snatching wrap, rushed
from the house 10 the old trusting
place by the river, where she and
Charlie had met often-before he at
tempted to be her lover. The place
was occupied, and before she could re-
treat Jennie Wells blushingly disen1
gagged herself from a mascul inc emu
brace. and cried. with a nervous laugh:
1--WE can't keep our secret any
longer, Dick, and really there is no
need, the time is so near! This is
Dick Wilder, Nettie. Dick. Miss Net
tie Travers-he THAT is-we are
going TO get married very soon, but we
did not want to make the fact public,
for his father and mine are not excel
lent friends at present. We new err
should have succeeded without Charlie
marked attention-oh, dear, Dick was
nearly jealousw
Nettie never could tell how she man.
aged to get through with the next half
hour, and talk and laugh while her
heart seemed breaking.
But hearts 40 not break easily, and
people can do things which they never
dreamed possible.
Jennie and her lover went away at
last and left her alone with her mis-
cry.
Then another sought the familiar
spot, and she sobbed out the whole
story. with her head upon Charles
shoulder and his dear arms holding
her closely.
II could horsewhip him for being so
careless, yet bless him for it," said
Charlie.
$50 do IT, she breathed softly. "Oh,
Charlie, what il he had thought Of the
license?"
Clinton Ames understood many
things when he returned to claim his
bride, and she met him at the door,
leaning upon Charlie ATOMS arm.