The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-09-04

prevented him from sending Mary
written apology for his jealous letter,
and of course she no longer wrote 10
him. He felt confident that by this
time she must have become engaged to
Bill Taylor, and if he returned home
she would treat him with scorn. He
lost his appetite, he grew thin in the
face, his manner became distraugkt,
and he feared that he might go crazy.
The principal saw what his condition
was, and in very considerate man
ner told him not to waste his money in
trying to effect cure that was impcs-
sible under the discouraging circum-
stances. The principal advised him to
go home at once, and expressed much
confidence that Miss Beverly loved him
enough to marry him in spite of his
stammering. John thanked his friend,
but would not allow himself to be
comforted. Several hours later, at
nine o'clock in the evening, John wan
dered to the bank of a river. He chose
a lonely spot beneath a tree and sat
down. He looked at the swiftly flow
ing and dark waters, and almost per-
suaded himself that it would be best to
plunge into them and end his misery,
but his good sense and courage soon
asserted themselves. He would go
home and live like man, whatever
Mary's decision might be.
He took the train the next morning,
and at six p. IN. arrived at his destina-
ton. In the evening he went to Mary's
home. His heart beat rapidly as he
approached the door. His fate would
soon be decided, but he had nerved HIM
self to expect defeat and to bear it
with manly fortitude. He rang the
bell Mary herself answered the sum-
mons.
80 john" she cried; and weeping
with JOY she fell into his arms.
The amazed young man conducted
the clinging maiden to the parlor
81 have been SO anxious" exclaimed
| Mary. 'The principal of the institute
wrote me very kind letter and
urged me to treat you as true woman
should. know all of the circumstances
and feel so sorry for You
IF YOU still love me. there is no oc-
| oc-ca-sion for ei-ei-ther of us to be
sor-sor-ry," said John.
II do love you. Now that you are
| with me again I am perfectly happy.
But l too have suffered much I have
been punished for my frivolity and I'M
| kindness. | thought how heartless l
had been in regard to our marriage by
the Episcopal service. 1t was l who
drove you to desperate efforts to effect
a cure. / feared that you might COM
nit suicide, and resolved that if you
widows weeds for you the rest of my
| life"
at would be foo-foo-foolish to
do that" said John, laughing. More.
over, if you did it as pen-pen-ance,
it wo-would sh-show that you did it
as duty: not becau-cause you 10
loved me-"
"IIow can you talk SOL exclaimed
| Mary; and then in laughing manner
she added:
you must be careful or I'll give you
up for Bill Taylor.
II -un-der-der-stan that at
one thine You did thin-think of Civ
ing me up for him"
| "Whoever said so was a mean and
untruthful person." said Mary with
spirit.
81 be-be-lieve YOU" remarked
John as he administered judicionH
kiss.
The rest of the courtship was salts
factory. The firm that employed John
soon handsomely increased his salary,
and two years after his return from
the institute he was able to marry in
spite of the loss of his money by the
failure of the bank. Meanwhile he
practised the vocal exercises in which
he had been drilled at the institute
with SO much assiduity and intelli.
gence that his stammering was com
pletely overcome, and he and Mary
were married by the Episcopal service
after ALL. A. Bolles, in Boston Bud.
| get,