The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-22
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON O. THURSDAY JANUARY 90 1884,

me so well married. made up my mind
TO say yes, but / thought I'd say gOOd-by
TO Jack first. ! went upstairs and drew
out his letters and read them just rs Pm
doing tonight But the more read, the
more | forgot the minister and remembered
Jack.
At last kissed the dear, dear face, and
the little curl, and put all the letters back
again. No, l could not marry the minister.
lie preached beautiful sermon that
night about the life OF Christ in the happy
home of Nazareth, and how we should try
to make our homes like his
After church there were six in our
wagon, and was going to walk home so he
told mother he'd walk piece with me.
Then | told him all about Jack, and how
now after 10 years l loved him rs much rs
ever, and / cried while told him how sorry
| was lie was very gentle. lie told me
he knew / was different from the other
women around there, but he did not know
1t was love that gave me that purified look
He said / looked like 'One who had suffered
much pain
" didn't expect he'd come round any
more; but he came Just the same, and he's
kept on teaching me ever since.
Tomorrow I'll be 40, and it's sheer nom
ceEse TO keep the picture and the curl and
the letters any longer; so thought would
read them all just once more, and then burn
them. But / think now that I'll keep them
little longer"
Aunt Nancy, has the minister ever asked
you since? o, ! know lac has for you're
blushing. Was il last night, when he was
hereY And are you going 10 say yes ?"
" Yes, he asked me again last night; but
/ can gRETE WsaN Yl- ,ft..r
where he is nOwl See, little Nan, what
sweet, brave face he hasn
i took the photograph and looked ut it
carefully. The face was calm and sweet.
The large brown eyes looked at me gTavely,
and the gentle mouth seemed just about to
smile. 1t was a lovely face, and one / was
sure to remember. ] handed back the pict-
ure and touched the little curl.
" II is lighter than it was; Jacks hair was
much darker" said Aunt Nancy.
We heard footsteps on the stairs, and
Aunt Nancy knew it was someone after her.
Unlock the door gently, Nan, and say
i will be down at Oncep
And while ] did as she bade me she put
her treasured sentiments" away.
This was just week before Christmas,
and next day began such cleaning and
cooking that / could not get over to Gran
ny's once TO see Aunt Nancy. At last,
though, on Christmas Eve, we were all to
meet at church aud 90 home together.
had TO put out the lamps and lock up the
house, so the others did not wait for me- As
i opened the door TO go out almost walked
into the arms Of man. i drew back with
little scream.
Don't be frightened,n I heard him say !;
they told me this was Mr.. HapgOOd's house.
Have / made a mistaken"
Yes" said j; my fathers name was
HapgOOd, but he died when / was baby. i
guess it's one Of the brothers you're after"
Mr.. Reuben HapgOod, mean. He had
eight sons and two daughters, Hester and
Nancy"
90, that's grandfather. He lives just past
the church, and Pm on my way there; so
come along, and III show you the way"
Is il far, Miss HapgOOd?"
Miss Hapgood !" / laughed; why, you're
the first person not TO call me Nancy
What" he cried, "Nancy?" and he
struck a match and held it close TO my face.
j knew him at once
why, you're Jack, aren't you ?" I asked.
Yes; and Nancy-is she married?"
No, not yet, though the minister is after
her. She told me about you last Sunday.
Are you back after herr
ayes; do you think she'll have me?"
Have you; Why she loves you as much
rs l love Tom, / think she may be in
church; you wait outside minute, while /
peep in"
] knew she was in church, but didn't
feel bit wicked at iibbing. / went right
mp TO her and beckoned her out. She looked
scared, but she came.
pushed the door open for Aunt Nancy,
but ! staid inside. l just heard two words
Jack Nancy
Behold, j bring you good tidings of great
joy" sang the choir, and ] was so happy
that l just knelt down and prayed.