Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-09-17

| HuNt lut0tT VI
"Yes. sir. never had none of either,
sighed Mag. in tones that convinced the
| youth of her sincerity.
In few moments Ned had written a
little note upon a pad of paper that lay
at hand, folded it, and given it to the
child.
"You know the place where the people
meet to pray every night?" he asked.
Eyes" replied Mag. Il listens at
the doors sometimes. likes the
singin'."
go in tonight, if you can," said
Ned, land ask to speak to Mr.. Smith.
| Give him that note. The woman who
beats you must not see it, remember"
Mag nodded wisely.
eff you cannot get to the meeting to-
night, go tomorrow, said Ned. "There's S
ten-cent piece for you, so you'll be
sure of your supper. And, Mag, if Mr.
Smith sends you to a nice place, be
good. Don't steal or lie, or do anything
wicked, and say yourlittle prayers every
night, and grow up good girl"
"Yes, sir, I'll try" said Mag. Then
all of sudden she began to sob violently.
Nobody never talked so good to me
before!" she said. "I'll remember
always"
Ne heard the feet of his employer ON
the stairs, and led Mag to the door put
her gently forth, and draped the shawl
over the shoulders of the dummy, which
was presently rolled in and put away
for the night with the other objects
which had been set forth to attract GUS
tom.
AS it happened, Ned did not see good
Mr.. Smith again. The prayer meetings
soon came to close, and he never
knew whether Mag carried the note to
the minister or not. 1t was possible
that she was little hypocrite who
grinned at the good advice he had given
her, and went thieving again next day.
However, he was glad, for Fanny's sake,
that he had been as kind to her as posi-
BILE. At all events, he never saw her
again, and it was not long before he left
the store and sought his fortune in Cali
fornia.
There he succeeded beyond his expec-
tations, and one day returned home
rich man, and did all those pleasant
things that filial and prosperous son
does for the old folks, beginning by pay
ing off the mortgage on the homestead,
of course. He could scarcely believe
that he had been away so long. Nothing
seemed much changed-his parents
scarcely older. Bill and Ben were ma
ture, but really improved. Only Fanny
astonished him. Fanny was a young
lady-tall, slender, shapely. Her faxen
hair was a rich blonde, her eyes bluer
and brighter than ever, if possible. And
Fanny-little Fanny-was engaged to be
married. Ned could not believe that
She was us fond of him as ever, though,
and prouder; and before three days had
gone over their heads she had set herself
to matchmaking on his account.
"Of course, you know we want you to
stay here, Ned" she said, "and to marry
some one who likes the country. Now
have plan. You must fall in love will
my Jacks sister. She is very pretty
and as good as an angel and so bright
and perfect lady and she just Worship
the country. And you can build hous
between ours and her fathers; and Jacl
and will have one opposite, and tina
will be so delightful, You do not knoy
how nice she is, Ned, but you will NEE
her on Thursday. She is away on visi
now, but is coming home tomorrow
| Thursday she will come here to tea. Yol
must make love to her at once. Propos,
as soon as possible, and have the nices
wife in the world. Oh, l am sure sh
will ber'
Ned laughed. Like most men, h
doubted womens judgment of eacl
other. Besides, he had not yet resolve,
to marry. If he should fall in love, i
would be different thing; but thai
seemed unlikely. He had met many
pretty women, and was yet heart-whole
1t seemed scarcely likely that Jacks sis
ter-nice little country girl as she doubt,
less was-would make any unusual i'm.
preston upon him.
However, he did not say this-only
"You know she may not like me, Fanny. II
But of that Fanny assured him there
could be no doubt.
She was in high state of delight when
on 8 o'clock on Thursday, Jack appeared
with his sister on his arm, and she was
able to say at last:
Brother Ned, this is my dearest
friend, Marguerite. Marguerite, this is
the brother you have not yet met.
know you will be friends"
Friends ! From the moment Neds eyes
met those lovely ones belonging to Jack S
sister he was lost. He had never be-
lieved in love at first sight, but it came
to him like flash of lightning. He de-
voted himself to Marguerite all day, and
would walk home with her at night, and
then Fanny said that she would go also,
and kept Jack at pleasant distance
sociably near, but so that every word
need not be heard; and Marguerite was
the sweetest thing, Ned thought, as her
little hand rested on his arm.
Going home again with Fanny, she
teased him to confess that he already
adored her friend, and told him that,
while putting ON her bonnet, she had said
that he was " ever SO nice" But Ned
was too much in love to feel sure of sue
cess, and for some time was rather an
uneasy soul, hoping and fcaring-his
courage high in the morning and low at
night, until one day he took heart of
grace and actually popped the question.
What he said he hardly knew. 1t was
in the orchard. They sat on a rustic
bench under an old pear tree, and he had
talked for some time, when Marguerite
gave little cry, and said:
" Mr.. Brandreth, beg you TO say no
no more just yet. | have something tc
tell you that may make you feel diff.
ferently. | should have told you before
but Il put it off. You do not know
who | am. Jacks sister, Mr. Rawdon'
daughter, you believe me; but am only