Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-01-15

Goodnight, dear mamma"
When she reached her own room she
threw herrelf on the bed crying bitterly.
ooh! Howard" she sobbed, ''you
must not 60. Come back to me. knsw
now that I really love you"
She lay there through the long hours
of the night. At last, toward morning,
she fell into light sleep, from which
she was awakened By the sound of feet
hurrying through the hall. Then she
remembered it was the morning her
guests were to leave. Hurriedly chan
ging her dress, she went down to the
parlor, where she found breakfast was
over and her friends waiting for the car
rage which was to take them to the
cars, and wondering at her absence. The
carriage was at length ready, and after
many farewells and invitations to Stella
to visit them through the winter at their
city homes, they left, greatly to Stella's
relief. The days dragged YEARLY along.
Howard had been gone two weeks and
Mr.. Ingalls, was daily expected home.
One evening, as they were at tea, car
rage drove up and Mr.. Ingalls, walked
in.
80! there is papa am so glad to
have you home"
"Stefla," said her father, when tea
was over, and they were comfortably
| seated around the parlor fire; "Stella, I
have letter for you. one which you
should have received two weeks ago;
hope it is of no Importance, but en-
| tirely forgot it in the hurry of depar-
ture."
Stella recognized the writing, and
carried it Up stairs to her room. When
she had gone, Mrs. ingalls, told her hus-
band about their daughters trouble.
Meanwhile Stella read her letter through.
eff had only had this before, how
much trouble and unhappiness it would
have saved US both, for believe How
ard still loves me. If he would Only come
back. I cannot write to him, for do
not know where he is; but how can I
wait through these long weary months"
That night, and many nights and days
succeeding, were wretched ones to Stella.
So two months passed, but she would
not absent herself from any of her for
mer pleasures. Beneath gay exterior
she carried heavy heart. She laughed
and danced with the gayest.
''No one shall say have broken my
heart on his account"
The Christmas holidays were fast ap-
preaching, and Stella often wondered if
Howard would spend them at home. She
had very little heart for the festivities
Of the season.
The Oath of December was very busy
day with the ingalls, family. They had
all been invited to spend the evening
with some friends at social gathering,
but at the last moment Stella changed
her mind about going, as she was SUI
fering from severe headache, but she
would not hear OF the others staying at
home, as she said she would feel better
alone.
After they had gone and the house was
quiet, she drew large easychair to the
fire.
''Just about year ago." she thought,
81 was so happy. Howard had asked me
to be his wife. l wonder where he is
tonight"
A ring at the bell startled her, and
not caring to see any one, she rose to
leave the loom. But who was that
standing in the doorway? Gould it be
yes, it surely was.
"Howard!' said she, throwing herself
into his arms.
"Oh, my darling, my precious one"
murmured he, passionately, and kissing
her repeatedly, he led her to a sofa,
where, with his arm around her, and her
head leaning on his shoulder, he told her
how he happened to be there. "When
I left you, after seeing your mother, I
returned home, and made some hasty
preparations for my journey. had been
away eight weeks, sucd dreadful weeks
they were, darling, when I received q
letter from your father, telling me about
the misunderstanding, AMI that you
seemed SO unhappy, and asking me, if
possible, to return by Christmas to sur
prise you. Fortunately could leave just
theE. l have travelled night and day,
and here I am"
They had so much to tell each other,
they did not observe the flight Of time;
it was nearly midnight when the family
came home.
Howard was most heartily welcomed
by them all, and they insisted upon his
remaining their guest for the holidays.
What happy Christmas that was to
Stella! All the sorrow of the past few
months was forgotten in the JOY
of reconciliation. But Howard was not
willing to wait long before he could
claim Stella as his own, so in few weeks
there was a cay wedding at Judge In