The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-10-12

hand. She drew letter frOm her poek-
e.
This came week ago-nOt from him
From friend who knew Of our engage
ment. She says: 50 Reuben and you
have broken of. We hear, nov, that he
IS to marry Jane CArriek in two weeks
She viii have quite a little fortune
When I got that put his letters together
and sent them back, and told him he
vas free. By this time he las received
them"
"An you are well quit OF the SCUM
drelT exclaimed Joe, Indignantly
what You, The smartest, hsndsom-
est girl for miles around, grieve fo- fool
Ike that Married, is he, the william
What o that? Pluck up sfii'
and show hia how little you care.
Marry me, out Of hand, and afterward.
well send him slice OF wedding cake,
with hearty wish that It may choke
him -
Polly smiled sadly. and shook her
head.
Il shall never wish him any ILL.," she
said, gently. q have loved him too
much.n And then she spoke the simple
honest words with which this story
opens
@Yon deceive neither yourself nor
another, my dear" said Joe. "Ill trust
you, But Just see now"
And then he began 70 coax her, and
shsw her 80 many good reasons for yield
ing to his suit that she-being really at
tached to him in q flial sort Of way and
fond Of his pretty home began to think
she might DO worse than marry him.
Reuben would hear Of it-Hould learn
what q much weather. match she bad
made; that would be some revenge on
him, and none could say that she had
wore the willow. She began to show
some signs of yielding. Joe pressed his
advantage.
sect married at once" he urged, ~and
50 get ahead of the fellow. This Is Thurs
day-say the word and well be married
on Sunday next"
And 50, in the end, poor Polly said
the word"
She had few preparations to make.
The wedding was to be quite private.
sunday had been chosen as being the
day en- which they could best arrange 10
absent themselves for few hours from
the house together. They told no one Of
their Intentions, but Joe rode quietly
over TO a neigh5oring town and made ar
rangements- They were to 20 out early,
as il might be to church, get married and
return. No one would know till it Was
over. As for Polly, the nearer the day
came the more she shrsnk from It. /
think, fit had been further Of. she
would certainly having more time 10
think have made some excuse 10 cry
off, As it was, however, Saturday
came, and found her beSilderei, unhap-
py, regretfll, but with no actual thought
Of drawing back.
1t was sunset-a glorious evening. She
stood, with her husband that was soon to
be, at the little vine-emboEered parior
window, looking out. Good-natured Joe
was in high delight-watehing her with
sfeciionate prize. "No man viii have a
better or a handsomer wifi. than mine"
said he, "and see if don't make you a
good husband :"
She turned little towards him, smiI-
ing, but still looking from the sindoE-
and just at that moment q man came up
the lane-s handsome young fellow,
though somewhat tired and pale, and
with the dust Of the heavy country rOsd
thick on his hair and clothing. He car
ried stick and little satchel in his
hand, and looked inquiringly.
Joe felt his companion give a sudden
start, and then fall a-trembling violently
Surprised, he glanced at her, and saw her
face as white as death, and her great
dilsted eyes fixed on the stranger.
why, what is it?7 said he.
She ciung closer to his arm.
-'Oh, joe" she said, sits my old sweet
heart-Rsubsn-"
There was silence for a moment Joe's
jolly face grew dark.
~What does he come here for ?" he de-
mGnded.
Alas. How can l tell? Perhaps he
is married already. Oh, that I had been
beforehand with him. Oh, that he had
not come for q few days longer. Good
JOe-dear Joe, do me favor if you love
me: Make him believe We are married
already, We two. Win you, Joe?7
Joe -was well pleased; his jolly face
cleared Immediately it seemed to him a
proof Of Polly's love for him He went
out to the stranger and welcomed him
MY wife saw you from the window"
said he, pleasantly. shes inside. Come
in; we've often talked about you An
old friend Of my wife is sure of vel
come from me-"
As he talked he led the way to the
parlor. The stranger followed, paler
than before.
"Your wife, he repeated, wondering
ly. @Your wife friend of mine? Surely
there is some mistake"
~NO-no mistake. Ny wife-Polly
Lee that used 70 be. Here she is; come
in" And with that be flung open the
parior door, and the two old sweethearts
stood face to face again-the first time in
dve years-
Reuben was the 6rst to speak-sAdly,
brokenly.
@Poly" he cried "Po.Iy, married -
And then his voice broke down.
Polly was frightened. She looked at
his dropping figure and sad. pale face
she met the grave reproaeh of his sor-
rosful eyes. and her heart mis.sye hei
tarrfhlw