The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-03-02

sell IN gfanumas Q1aketbn DihCh uress,
with the white net folded crossways on
the bosom.
She dombed back the luxuriant gold
Of her thick tresses under grandma's cap
frills, AID adjusted the old lady's spec.
tacles across the bridge Of her nose.
What a metsmorphosis was therel
She laughed aloud, scarcely believing
her own ayes.
"'Old Miss Eltonr" she said. "Now
I know expctiy how she will look. But
can get 4 better sight of myself 10 the
looking glass down stairs"
She tool; up the candle, and tripped
lightly down tie wooden stairway to the
sitting room.
As she reached the threshold, there
came sudden tap TO the old brass
knocker on the front door. she started
at first, then turned rcsolutely to the
door.
"Naom has forgotten her FAM" she
thought. "Or Leah has sent back for
something she wants. Their evening
has only just begun-dear little girls!"
But it was no messenger from the house
of rejoicing that met Ehzabeth's S eyes as
she opened the door.
a ;al man, closely mulFled TO the
eyes TO keep out the piercing February
cold, stood there. She retreated pace
or two, still holding the candle iu her
hand.
"Who are youl" she said. her heart
giving sudden jump. "What do YOU
want at this time OF nightl'
"Don't bo frightened, Gran Ina El.
ton" said u low, pleasant voice; aud
then Elizabeth remembered the quaint
disguise she bad assumed. "May
come in, just miuutel You are the
very person wanted to see."
Elizabeth began to trembe. Had the
Pickering flame OF the tallow.dip been
little more powerful the visitor might
have Observed the color come aud go
Hifully in hr- check.
"lt-it is late!" she hesitated.
"Yes, know" urged the young man
"But won't keep you long. suppose
she-EIizabe,h-ha' gone to tue party
at Colonel Smth'si'
"rhe young people are gone-yes." "
"And want just one word with you.
Mrs. Elton. Please let me come in. /
want to ask you question or two about
Elizabeth
What could she sayl Her heart was
beating SO tiercely sue could scarcely
breathe.
Teu years ago. Archer Vail had quar-.
relied with her, or she with Archer
Nail-she scarcely knew which and ne
had sailed with his cousin, the famous
scientific professor, on the expedition
tc Japan which was intended to clear uD
half score OF unsettled points as to
climate, flora and fauna.
The professor had died at Toxic, aud
from that tim" nothing had been heard
OF Archer. Aud here, on 81. Valentines
Eve, he had risen like spirit out of tho
snow aud the starlight, on the very
threshold os her house.
She opened the sitting room door.
lie sat down by the fire, with sigh OF
1JRf. (aHe'
"You haven't changed aShit. grand.
ma" sald he, cheerlly. "You stand
even straighter thaa you used to. And
Eizabeth-has she changedl Tell me
truly ioes she ever speak of mel'
Elizabeth was silent. She set the
candle on the old cherry wood chest OF
drawers in the corner, and stood ner-
vou'ly picSirg the leaves of the monster
hsh.gcranium IN the window.
"Because," said the young mao, "l've
come to the conclusion that | can't live
without Elizabeth, I've thought of her
every day and hour, OF late. | have
done well in business on the other side
Of the world, aud eau PUT my jewel IN
a proper setting, II 1 eau but gain it.
DO you suppose, grandma, she would
forgive met Do you think | could hope
to win her heartf'
Outside the SNOWY branches cracklel
in the wind and the starlight. Inside
the hour aud minute hand OF the old
clock had joined together at the hour OF
midnight, aud Elizabeth skill stood
silent III the shadow as the clock struck
twelve.
"Look!" said Archer, at is St. Val
entines Day! Do you think there is any
luck in omens, grsndmai For love
her dearly, aud 1 believe | could make
her happy if sue would but give me the
chance. I've watched the windows for
long time. shouldn't have ventured
to come in If | had not seen the light
cleaning through the cracks in the shut.
ter. For the sake OF the dear old days,
Grandma Elton, give me a shred of hope
TO cling tol For the sake OF old ST.
Valentine, tell me that have a chance
Elizabeth took the candle aud set il
on the mantle, where it caught relec.
tion from the mirror ano shone cheerily
out with double lustre. Then she took
Oft the muslin.frilled cap, letting her
golden hair stream like a cascade of
brightness down over her shoulders, aud
Hung the spectacles on the table.
"Yes, Archer Yail!" she said, halt