The Somerset reporter., 1890-07-03
THURSDAY NOON, JULY 3, 1890.

| al wish ] was, WIFE, WISH was
Bot It's only what we'd ought TO have
expected Lizzie In a. pretty ~ picter
aud a. frO'hy a- bowl o soap nds, and
hrimful o mishef into The bargain. And
Ellsworth's only mortal man, after all
Frances ought u have married him a
year ago, when he wanted her 70 do so,
only she wouldn't leave Us until we paid
the mortgage ON the farm and got even
with the world
"Buf, Obed, what are we 10 dor /
can't tell her :" sobbed the old lady,
Nor /, neither. There's no help for
1t, wife; she's got TO find 1t out for her
self"
And he let his wrinkled forehead fall
into his hand with groau.
Just then the door opened.
| A tall, slight figure came In like Gid
ing shadow
| "Pve heard it all, father" said Frances
land yon mustn't blame either Stephen or
| Lizzie. lit was only natural He has
grown tired Of waiting for me. And
| Lizzie is very lovely. ! can't blame any
man for wanting to make her his wife.
shall go to Albany. all the same, and
tell them not to mind me. You know,
| with rather forced smiieJ, people
1 aiW dyS Shlu was Iht ouh iOi al NiN IL Az
And-apd-we three can be very happy
here at home all our lives, can't wef'
| And here poor Frances broke down,
and cried bitterly.
Don't mind me-" said she. II shall
be quite used to 1t after q while.
| 1t was brilliant January afternoon
the ground covered with snow, the sun
shining with Arctic splendor and all the
streets musical " ith the joyous chime Of
| sleigh bells-when Frances Crest arrived
at Mrs. Rigney's house In Albany
-Francie-Crest," calculated tue
good lady" is this your
II came to surprise Lizzie, Aunt Jo-
Sic" said the traveller smiling family.
swell, it will be surprise, " laid Mrs.
Rigney. "Go right up dear. Sne'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 | know it all, nevertheless
| She went on and Knocked at the paror
door.
Come i'm called Lizzie's sweet So
prano voice and, with q sudden quick
ening of her heart, she obeyed.
| Was that little Lizzie standing by the
| fire, one dainty, slippered foot on the
| fender, her cleaning silken gown held
up by slim white hand, while her ex-
quisite profile was outlined against the
ruby velvet of the lambrequn!
| She looked more like princess--a fairy
queen. In this atmosphere Of change
and happiness she had fairly blossomed
| out like rose In mid June.
| Aud that tall figure In the shadow be
You'd
Frances Dear, dear frances"
In second Lizzie was in her arms.
you got my letter, loye-.he letter
wrote to you yesterday-the letter that
told you ~
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 |. That
| is my mysterious secret"
The tall figure advanced with military
sort of salute.
1t was not Stephen at all, but 4 taller,
younger, less impressive looking man.
Frances bowed in a bewidcred way.
But Stephen, where is Stephen she
asked.
Gone down to WoodiIeld, francie, ait
er you. Because he says he means there
shall be a double wedding if there's to be
a single one, aud he declares he wont
wait any longer for you to make up your
mind. And how puzzled he will be, to
be sure, when he finds the bird has flown
Are you very much surprised, Franc S!
But, you see, Clarence is In the regular
army; not a mere militia captain like
Stephen. He is b ationed In Florida, and
he was spending his leave of absence
here in Albany, and so, of course,
couldn't help getting acquainl ed with him
because Stephen came here every day to
talk out you, and Clarence always came
with him. And-Yes, Clarence go away
now and get the flowers for the evening
reception at Miss Birds, for I've got SO
50 much to say to my sister"
She dismissed her handsome lover with
the nonchalance of queen, and then
showerei caresscs anew on Frances.
isn't he splendid, darlng?" she cried.
'And only think, l owe 1t all to you for
IL it hadn't been for your sending me
here, never should have met him at all.
And we'll telegraph to Stephen at once,
and you will consent TO be married at the
same time with me - won't you dear?"
Yes" said Frances, her eyes brim-
ming over with blisful tears. Il will -
Helen Forest Grares in Philadelphia Sat
m,idy Night.