Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-01-11
HE KEPT HIS PROMISE.

thought differently, and things which
John Charrington intended had n
qnecr way Of coming to pass. He asked
her to marry him before he went up to
oxford. She laughed and refused him.
lie asked her again next time he came
home. Again she laughed, tossed her
dainty blond head and again refused.
A third time he asked her; she said II
was becoming confirmed bad habit,
and laughed ut him more than sver.
John was not the only mar VINO want
cd to marry her; she was the belle OF our
village cotcrie, and we were all in love
with her more or less; It was n sort Of
fashion, lilse masher collars or Inverness
capes. Therefore we were as much
annoyed rs surprised when John Char
rington walked into our little local club
we had IL In loft over the saddlcr's. l
remenber-and invited us all TO his wed.
ding
"Your weddingf"
"You don't mean III"
"who's the happy Fair when's II to
bcy'
John Cliarrington filled his pipo and
lighted II before no replied. Then he
saidi
"rm sorry to deprive You fellows Of
your only joke-but Miss Forster and i
are to be married in September"
"You don't mean ity'
"IIe's got the mitten again. and It's
turned his head"
"Nc, said rising, II see it's true.
Lend mo pistol some one, or n first
class fare TO tho other end OF Nowhere.
Charr1ngton has bewitched tho only
pretty girl In our twenty-five mile radius
Was IL mesmerisin or love potion,
jack
Neither, sir; but gift you'll never
have-perseveranc the best luck
man ever had In the world"
There was something in his voice that
silenced me, aud all the chat OF the
other fellows failed to draw him further.
Tho queer thing about 1t was that
when we congratulated Miss Forster she
bushod aud smiled and dinpled for all
the world Us though she were In love
with him. and had been In love with
him all the time. Upon my word
thought she had. Women are singular
creatures.
We were all asked to the wedding. In
Brixham every one who was anybody
knew cveryb body else who was any one.
Ny sisters were, / truly believe, more
interested In tho trousseau than tho
bride herself. and was to be the best
man. The coming marriage was much
canyassed at afternoon ten tables and at
our little club over the saddler's. and the
question was always asked. docs she
care for himy
used to ask that question Of myself In
the early days OF their engagement, but
after u certain evening In August never
asked II again. was coming homo from
the club through the churchyard. Our
church il ON thyme grown hill, and
the turf about II Is so thick and soft that
ones footsteps are noiseless
made no sound as vaulted tho low,
hchened wall and threaded my way be.
tween the tombstonos. II was at the
same instant that | heard John Char
rington's voice and saw her face. May
was sitting on low, fiat gravestone,
with the frll splendor OF the western
sun upon her mignonne face. Its ex-
preston ended at once and forever any
question OF her love for him. II was
tfanshgured 10 beauty | should not
have believed possible even to that beau.
tiful little face.
John lay at her feet, and II was his
voice that broke tho stiffness Of the
golden August evening.
my dear, my dear, believe that ]
should come back I. I'm the dead II you
ted me-"
ughed at once TO indicate my pres.
ence dpassed on into the shadow, fully
enlig med.
The wedding was to be early In Sep
TENDER. Two days before had to run
up 10 town on business. The train was
late OF course. for we are on the South.
eastern, and rs stood grumbling with
my watch In hand whom should see
but John Charrington and May Forster
They were walking up and down tn
nnfrequented end Of the platform, arm
in arm, looking into each others eyes,
careless OF tho sympathetic interest OF
the porters.
OF course knew better than to hest
tate moment before burying myself In
the booking Office. and 1t was not till
the train drew mp Mt the platform that
obtrusively passed the pair with my
Gladstone and took the corner in first
class smoking carriage. did this with
~ good an air of not seeing them as
could assume. | pride myself on my
discretion, but II John was travelling
alone | wanted his company. | had 1t.
"Hullo, old man." came his CHEEKY
voice as he swung his baggage into my
carriage; "here's luck; was expecting
dull journeyl"
"Where are you OF tor hsl,ed, dis
erection still bidding me turn my eyes
away, though ! saw without looking
that hers were red trimmed.
ITO old Branbridges,' he answered,
shutting the door and leaning out for u
last word with his sweetheart.
"Oh, wish you wouldn't go, john"
che was saying in low, earnest voice.
81 feel certain something will happen"
'"Do You think that ! should let any
thing happen to keep me, and the day
after tomorrow our wedding dayy'
Don't CO." she answered, with a
pleading intensity which would have
sent my Gladstone on the platform and
me after 1t. John Charrington was
made differently; he rarely changed his
opinions, never his resolutions.
lie only stroked the little ungloved