Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-09-25

my news to bear" was the answer with
little sob.
"What is it, dear2" and Bessie was at
her cousins side, all sympathy.
"The Northern Express Bank has
failed!"
"By jove," said Frank, "all your
money was in thatl"
Annie hid her face on Bessie's Shout
der and sobbed.
"Uncle George was married last week I"
Franks comment on that was con-
tained in long whistle.
Crank, you ought to be ashamed of
yourselfr' SAID Bessie Indignantly.
"Never mind, Annie. Come to my room,
darling"
And Annie allowed herself to be led
away to her Cousins room to be petted
and comforted and sympathized with,
and to listen to the warmest assurances
of unchanged love, offers of home, and
a thousand pleasant words from Bessie,
till Frank came up and confirmed the
whole of it, and added:
"Leonard Franklin desires an inter-
view with you, Annie, in the private
parlor. And Annie, before you go, will
you let me say word to you, as If
were your brothers"
"Certainly will"
"Leonard Franklin loves you, I am
sure of it; and think he means to tell
you of it. But Annie, if you do not
really love him, will you remember that
so long as Bessie and have home, you
are as welcome as sister, and as dear
to both of us2,'
"You may be sure will never forget
it," said Annie earnestly. "But will
you please read Uncle Georges letter
while am gomez"
She found Leonard waiting In the
parlor, and pacing the floor with true
masculine impatience.
Before she went in, she looked mo-
ment at the tall, graceful, handsome
figure, so buoyant with animation-at
hope; and in her heart there fingered the
refrain of song, "He loves me, he loves
me-"
All the gladness was banished from
her step and face, however, as she slowly
advanced to meet her lover. He could
wait for no formality of greeting. Alb
ruptly, passlonately, aud earnestly, with
his whole soul in his eye, he said:
"Annie, you rebuked me severely to-
day for my presumptuous and insolent
speech to your cousin, and acknowl-
edge l deserved it; and now that the
money is all gone and your uncle is
married, will you not believe me that the
the dearest hope of my life, and the
dearest wish of my heart, is to win your
love and make you my wife"
"You are sure it is you love2" she
asked in very low voice.
"Before l had known you a week, I
had quite forgotten you were an heiress,
darling. only knew you were the only
woman in the world / could ever love, or
whose love would be precious to my
heart. The few foolish thoughtless
words, which l spoke to your cousin
contained no meaning whatever. Surely
you may trust me how. Be my wife, aud
every hour shall prove to you how ten
derly love you. Speak to me, Aunie,
why w you iiluc your iuCtF
She did not tell him it was to hide her
smiling lips, and her dancing eyes; but
she allowed him to draw her into his
loving arms, and fold her in a tender
embrace.
"You will be my wife, darlingl" he
whispered, and then she locked up.
"Yes, l will," she said blushing, but
meeting his eyes frankly and bravcly,
''for believe now you love me, and
love you with my whole heart. Stop,
Leonard, do not kiss me yet, but let me
first rectify my mistake. forgot to
mention my Uncle George drew all my
money from the bank before it broke,
and now has 1t in safe deposit elsewhere.
Also it was mistake my saying uncle
was married. Now, darling, / have
proved your love-"
Frank and Bessie received an explana-
tion and were considerably surprised.
"But, ANNIE" said Bessie, some time
later, 'swhat on earth were you crying
about2"
Annie never told, but Leonard made
some guesses to her in private that she
would neither deny nor affirm. y Yankee
Blade.