The Meeker herald., 1892-03-19

Tor the last twenty years when he
returned from the city:
News! why, what news should there
be. Elem"
"None, OF course; there is never any
news in this place, the lady answered
with u sigh
IL was gentle sigh, however, for,
despite the quiet OF which she com.
plain'-l, hers was happy lot. east in
u picturesque village, at "a most con
venient distance from town; nor was
her life unbroken by pleasant vaca-
lions and agreeable incidents. Still, it
was her custom to call the village OF
Narby very dull indeed, and wait for
news every evening when she went to
meet her husband on his return home.
This evening. then, on which my
story opens was no exception to the
rule. and usually the well.mntched
pair would Mt once glide into the chit
chat about home affairs; but tonight
Jack. or ms he WIS styled in the neigh
borhood, Mr.. Cunningham. looked at
his VIII. with n smile, adding:
Come. Ellen. there is news for a
wonder. Guess what 1t isl"
"Newsl then why did you say there
was none, jack" cried Mrs. Cunning
ham.
II did no, say that there was none.
! said. What news should there boz
You must confess | did" replied the
gentleman.
"oh. Jack, that is bubble: bu,
don't keep me IN suspense. Tell me
tho new"
''iou would certainly never guess.
NO ] might ms well tell YOU" he re
turned. We'll. then, Miss Thollon Is
going to be married to Mr.. Dale"
Jack Impossible" exclaimed his
vile. the color flashing over her face.
IAN the world says so. and am in.
clined to think that Tor once the
world speaks correctly. my dear. And
look ! declar. hero are the happy
couple approaching
Mrs. Cunningham eagerly directed
her snE. along the field pnth they were
trav-ss,ns and saw n lady and gentle
man approaching apparently abb
sosbed in conversation.
'1t IL pity that we cannot offer
our congratulations" remarked MIR.
Cunninchsm; but suppose We must
walt till the engagement Is announced"
r"Oh, hush" Whispered Mrs. Gun.
nin.nnm, ms Miss Thcllon and Mr..
Dale were close upon them.
Now. Miss Thcilon WINS the erra.
lady OF the place, and she looked Tia.
great lady. Tor she was Recommending
presence. very handsome. wealthy.
and possessed. besides. the charm of
h musical voice. No wonder. then.
that her ncishborr. rich aud poor.
mRrycl-d that Mt two.nnd.thirty she
should DO still unmarried.
i, was known that sh. had once
been engaged to bHronc,, who wns
almost millionaire: but Il, was al.
most rortn air that she had been nua-
ious TO break oil that engagement.
md had don. so. Notwithstanding
tho deep di-sppoin,mcn. OF her sutton;
aud since tbs, time. noN several years
since. no one in Narby had credited
any rumor which so; nilost as 10 her
marriage Kill the present time. when
folks declared she would marry Mr..
Dale. the eurato OF the parish, q young
man o. hyennd.;wcnty. wcll'born.
clever and without n penny but his
stipend.
Pretty Mary Cra,hcr heard the
rumor. and had been brokcn.hcnr,rd
ever since: the girl had cherished such
hopes and were they to end this way
Mis-. Crath~t's father was n man OF in.
d.p-nd-nt means. but hc had n nu-
mcrou- nni expensive family. and
Mary had bucycl up her hope. with
the idea that her father would not re-
fuse her hand TO dear Arthur when hu
suci for IL.
Bu, he did not make his petition:
nud now she heard that he was en-
cages to Miss Thellon' The fair girls
heart Rchci too kccnly for her to
bear up before the eyes of her friends
and nci.hbors. 20 she shut herself up
IN her room on the plea Of illness.
Indeed, by ;hiB tim. sh. felt III
enough. ms -h. snt. consumed by sad
musings. in her lonely chamber. and
very bitter tears were coursinr
down her cheek Mt tho moment when
Mr.. and Mrs. Cunningham me. Miss
Thcllon and Mr.. Dale in the meadow.
i, was the time OF pr:mroscs. and
Miss Th.llon carried in her hand n
huge bouquet ofthcsc spring blossoms.
Mr.. Dale has gathered them for
her." thought both Mr.. and Mrs.
Cunningham. And so. also, thought
poor. pretty Mary Crathcr. VINO es-
pied the group from her window. for
her fathers house was situated in hi.
own grounds. beyond the village. and
Mary's windows overlooked the mca-
dow through which Miss Thcllon aud
Arthur Dale were pressing.
Ali onco Mary herself had walked
nionc that path. and Arthur had of.
icrcd her some primroscs only ten
days axo-only ten days What had
changed him 20 cruelty since then.
While Mary sa. weeping at her win
dow Mr.. and Mrs. Cuunin CHAM were
exchanging brief but courteous greet
ing. with Miss Thcllon and the curntc.
and then the husband and wits passed
on their homewnrd way.
II think it isreally a case-he looked
very much confused" remarked the
lady. when they were on, OF earshot.
Il have another piece OF news for
YOU, my dear. was the rentlcman's re-
ioinder. Lord Lilton is actually
coming home again
"You don't say sol But is IT true?'
asked Mrs. Cunningham, with much
interest.
ooh. it is true enough have his
letter here. in which he asks me to go
I'M to the castle and see him to-mor-
row in private. lie has told no one
that he is coming,
II hope he will stay brenthcd Mrs.
Cunningham, earnestly. "Do show