Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-10-20

inely angry. Cupid would not give ear
to the objections of a silly old woman,
whose hold Of life was slipping from her
and who should by rights be thinking Of
her future state instead OF meddling with
what did not concern her.
sis the minister at home r. asked.
Eyes, ma'am, but he's engaged just
now"
MY worst fears were realized--he must
be performing the ceremony.
my business Is important" / said,
'could see him for just one moment2"
"Ill ask, ma'am. Shall take In
your card ~
"There is hardly need. Twill not de-
tain him."
The servant eyed me sharply, and
having satisfied herself that i was not
one of those genial paupers who haunt
ministerial abodes nor yet ON obnoxious
pedd!er in petticoats, admitted me into q
small reception room.
/ Twas beginning 10 tremble at my bold
ness and fear for the consequences, but
i was not kept long in suspense. A
portiere was pushed aside and Helen
advanced toward me. Here, indeed,
was an opportunity and i snatched at it.
NV presence was evidently surprise,
for she deserted me and looked at me in
quiringly. / noticed she still wore her
hat and cloak.
III beg your PARDON" she said, retreat
ing little. 81 did not know any one
was here"
II am waiting for the minister" was
my rejoinder, ''but pray do not go. /
have something to say to you also."
The young lady sat down and looked
at me expectantly.
"My dear" began with much feel
ing, ''you must pardon an old
woman for having taken an undue inter-
est in you and your concerns; it is only
from the best of motives. have noticed
for some time your constant meeting
with handsome gentleman. You have
both appealed to me strangely, and it is
more than mere curiosity that prompts
me to action. know that you love each
other. Even older eyes than mine could
see that. But in passing you on the
street just now l overheard some words
which led me to fear clandestine mar
riage, and have come here to deter you
from such purpose. beg you will not
resent my interference, l added, hast
ily, seeing the color mount to her face,
while at the same time an amused look
came into the gray eyes and the mouth
twitched irrepressibly.
81 think you are laboring under mis-
take" she said gently. Neither the
gentleman nor ever contemplated run
away marriage"
"But surely" 1 gasped, feeling my
charming air castles about to tumble,
''you are lovers still?"
The blush grew deeper, and the girl
smiled as she answered: "Yes, l may
say we are lovers STILL"
"But-" l stammered, "but-" got
no further, for pleasant voice sounded
through the hall:
edith, where are your
"Here," answered the young lady. and
in another moment Paris himself stood
before me.
There was an awkward pause, during
which we eyed each other curiously.
Helen, or rather Edith, broke the silence.
my dear madame, you wished to see
the minister, did you not? Well, he is
here before you, and allow me, at the
same time, to introduce my husband, the
Rev. Mr.. Melton. We have been mar
ried only short while, and, as you have
seen, the air of the honeymoon still ling
ers around u.s." She clasped his arm as
she spoke, and glanced tenderly into his
face. He looked bewildered ut the scene,
and as for me my feelings cannot be ex-
pressed.
/ rose unsteadily, and, muttering an
apology, moved toward the door, but
little Mrs. Melton was before me, and
grasped both my hands in sweet, cor
dial way.
"You must not feel badly at your mis-
take" she urged, in soft, coaxing
voice. eve were only discussing dis
agreeable visit we had to pay out of
town when you passed us, and--and
your conclusion was very natural-only
we outstripped your conjectures, she
added, with bright laugh, in which
her husband joined.
l CROPPED about for my vanished self
respect, assisted by the kindly tact of the
lady who strove to set me at my ease,
and ] must admit since that memorable
day have been more friendly toward
my own sex. The Rev. John Melton
made no effort to help me out of my
quandary, from which his dear little wife
rescued me so nobly.
OF course, explained most volubly,
and ray impertinence was overlooked
and was invited to dine with the Rev.
John and his wife, but 1 have been
taught lesson, as said before.
am still interested in all that occurs
around me, but never on any account
indulge my very vivid imagination. 1
find the world can go on living and low
ing without my assistance, and if the
course of true love does not run smooth
will neither heed nor hinder the runa-
ways, for have INDUCED in my first and
last dose of circumstantial evidence
PHILADELPHIA Times.