The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-07-17


No, Augusta echoed, looking down
drearily at the white tarletan folds, II
shall never marry now.
And you'll bevery happy, I dare say"
went on Aunt Bessie in consolatory
tone. People that don't have any ups
are never troubled with downs. Dear
heart alive, I'm an old maid myself, and
I'm sure my life has always been an easy
one"
Yes, but you had lover once.
"Of course l had; should have mar
rled Hugh Revere if the Lord. in His
good providence hadn't seen fit to take
him away the very month before the day
set for our wedding. felt badly about
1t at the time, but / am reconciled to it
now"
But If you never had a lover?n
Wen, don't know how things would
have seemed to me then," said Aunt
Bessie. "Tve always felt more like a
widow than an old maid since, though
I've been Miss Vivian to the end of the
chapter, just as you will be |"
And Aunt Bessie ellinto such a reverie
concerning old times that she never
needed when Augusta slipped out of the
room.
Down into the garden, through hedges
OF budding lilac, where crocus blossoms
sprlnkled the borders with gold, and pale
snowdrops We're already sending up their
stars OF spring blo,m across the rustic
bridge to the solitary walk among the
evergreens. Augusta fitted along,
scarcely knowing or needing whithershe
went. Some new shadow seemed to
have come over her life within the last
hour-some brooding phantom of evil,
she herself knew not what Only that
she was very, very sorrowful, and longed
to be alone.
"Miss Vivian 1"
She startled like frightened fawn.
Major Culthorpe?" 2"
For he had met her at the little wiro
gateway which divided the Culthorpo
estate from the less pretending grounds
OF the cottage. A tall, handsome man,
with Spanish eyes, rich dark COM
plexion, and beard soft and long as floss
silk. Major Culthorpes cheek was slightly
flushed, as if in sympathy with the touch
Vivians whole face.
Did | startle you, Miss Vivian?"
No, but did not expect"
She stopped abruptly, not knowing
what to say in her confusion.
Were you going for walk?"
"Yes-no-I don't know"
And Augusta blushed more hotly than
ever at the thought of what goose sho
was making of herself But Major Gull
thorpe did not seem to notice it.
May I have the pleasure of walking
little way with you?" he asked.
"Helen's up at the cottage, Augusta
answered impulsively.
is she? I hope she is very well; but
you have not yet answered my question. I"
"Of certainly shall be very
happy" stammered Augusta And she
thought to herself, "Now he is going to
make confidante of me-
She walked along by his side in silence
for some distance, and then looked up
with forced laugh
"You have something to say to me.
Major Culthorpe," she began, so you
may as well say on"
"You are right, he answered with a
smile; "I have"
"Well?"
DO you know how many years we
have lived neighbors to each other, Miss
Vivian?"
Not exactly-six or seven, believe"
Seven next November. And did it
never occur to you that this constant
companionship might suggest to me the
possibility of nearer tie?"
II supposed it was possible, /" answered
Augusta almost inaudibly.
"Do you think am too old to marry?"
Certainly not.
Augusta, would you take me?"
II take you, Major Culthorpe?"
Yes, you, Augusta. have loved you
all these years, yet never until now have
mustered courage to ask you to be my
wife. l know it has been cowardly to
keep silence so long, yet when a mans
whole destiny hangs on the answer to a
single question he can but hesitate and
tremble. My own dear one-my Au-
gusta-only tell me that have the right
to call you so, and shall ask no dearer
boon of fortune.
And when Miss Vivian came home
from her walk in the woods her accepted
lover was by her side.
$50 it wasn't Helen, after all, said
Aunt Bessie when she heard the news.
"Well, men are unaccountable creatures
and Augusta is very handsome still.
But I always did think she would be an
old maid.
The spell of the ancient proverb was
dissolved for once; and Augusta Vivian,
having been three times bridesmaid, |
was bride after all.
Defining His Disease.
Mr.. Johnson-What's the matter with |