Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-10-09

maps it will be better for both of us to
drive to the station on Saturday, and If
we should meet him or If he happened
to be here. when we come back, we
will introduce you as my sister who
has just arrived"
Nell sprang mp and flung her arms
ar ouud Ethel's neck. "What dear
you are!" she cried, impulsively "You
can think of everything"
81 hope it will turn out all right"
was the doubtful answer.
Friday came and Nell breathed freer.
Il can hardly wait for tomorrow to
come, for then | shall be out of bond
age. Do you think he will come to-day,
Ethel?"
every likely" was the cool reply.
IF l remember rightly, he has been
here every day since he came home"
'He is here now," Nell exclaimed,
as the well-known figure of the
stranger, as the girls called him, came
up the gravel path.
An hour passed swiftly; the stranger
was in the midst of an interesting
story that occurred in Berlin, when the
sound of carriage wheels fell upon
their ears. CHANGING up they saw
sight that almost made Nell's heart
stop beating. She grasped the arm of
her chair and with tightly closed lips
watched the approach of the carriage.
Now it stopped at the gate. Out sprang
hearty old gentleman, followed by
smiling old lady. Arm in arm they
came leisurely up the path until they
caught sight of the occupants of the
portico, then they hurried forward with
outstretched hands.
"Well, well, bless my SOUL" ejacu-
lated Mr. Parker (for it was he), "glad
to see you home again." shaking the
strangers hand; just at that moment
his eyes fell on Nell. "What on earth
has that child been doing, dressing up
for the stage, eh?"
Instead of answering Nell fled into
the house, closing the door behind her,
while the astonished group looked on
in silence.
Ethel came to the rescue, explained
the matter as best she could, blaming
Nell as little as possible.
81 hadn't any idea of this" said the
stranger "Will you introduce me,
grandma?"
Certainly" she returned. ''He is
Frank Meade, the son of our nearest
neighbor. l knew him at once, al
though it is ten years since l saw HIM
last. What, going already? Then
shall expect you to dinner tomorrow. :"
Early the next morning Nell started
for the orchard, for she felt as though
she could not face Mr.. Meade. Sitting
beneath the friendly shade of an apple
tree, she wondered if he had come yet,
and what he thought of her. Looking
up she saw the object of her thoughts
leaning against a neighboring tree, re-
garding her thoughtfully. She started
up, but he caught her hands in his and
said he had come to talk with her.
las well now as any time" she re-
piled, coldly. 81 suppose you have
come to lecture me-" Then she told
him how wretched she had been and
how she hated herself for the part she
had played IF only had told you at
first, !" she continued, show much trouble
it would have saved, but l thought l
could hide my folly. But grandpa will
never stop teasing me, and worse than
all, Dorothy has to suffer for me-"
Broken bones are easier mended
than broken hearts," he returned.
what do you meanw she demanded.
"That l love you dearly; will you
marry me?"
"You will never call me grandma or
laugh at me, will you?"
mo, indeedw
"And you didn't suspect who was,
did your"
mo, although different things puz-
zled me. thought it was because had
not seen you for SO long. Come, Nell,
answer my question and not keep me-
in suspense any longer"
"Since you seem 80 anxious about 1t,
really suppose I will have to say
yes"
When they went in to dinner Mr..
Parker asked, jokingly: GLOW is grand
ma to-day?"
"If you please, sir" said Frank, ''this
lady has promised to be Mrs. Meade,
We have decided on the 25th of August.
invite you all to the wedding"
'Well, well, well! / never thought
of such thing. Take her, my boy,
and you will be happy if she is any
thing like her Grandma Parker. -
Home.