Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-04-14

peated her words to Ashton. 1t al
seemed so low and coarse, now that sh,
thought it over.
Il suppose he forgot me" she said
"ln that case said her aunt, never
forgive him; | would not"
And Nina went to her 70 ON in tears
and, during the wakeful night. resolved
to return Ashton's ring on the morrow,
which she did by express, with a scorn,
full word or two written upon the most
elegant note paper in her possession.
After this she told her aunt that she
would go home at once; and that lady,
who, though delighted to entertain a
niece who was in q cheerful mood. had
an aversion to tears and low spirits,
agreed that it was perhaps the best
thing she could do under the circum-
stances to go home to her dear
who would give her the best advice pos
sible.
Poor Nina! As, her journey over, she
walked up the garden path leading to
the door of her suburban home, how
heavy was her heart, She began to
realize what the old minister and her
grandfather meant by saying 'all is
vanity"
She had been so proud of Ashton and
OF her engagement TO him, and she
was ashamed to tell her friends that
all was over, and then the heartbreal
of it,
Now that there was no going back.
she felt that she could forgive him al.
most anything. And just as she came
TO this there was a sudden rush of sis
tiers down the path, a kissing and IN.
bracing and incoherent cries of: ooh,
shes ever so much better; there's not
the least reason to be anxious. We
knew you'd come at once. But. oh,
now pale you are. And don't you feel
proud OF Ashton?'
Nina simply stared at them.
What has happened?" she cried.
She doesn't know" cried the younger
sister.
Ma made Ashton promise not to tell
her until this morning" said the eldest,
but what did he say to make You
Gomez said the third sister.
'oh' you ought to be proud of him:
5nt for him it Is terrible to think how
we might be grieving now" said the
middle sister.
You know Cousin Rodney came to
ask ma to go to the races with him.
said the eldest sister.
And we made her CO." said the
youngest
And he didn't understand the
horses sad the middle sister. ut was
new team"
wen never speak to him again"
sand all three together,
And they ran away.
ron, good heavens, Was that motherp
vas Rodney driving herr" painted
Nina. !
"How noble; he never told he kent {
lis promise, said the elder sister. yes,
ear and Rodney's head was cut open, c
Served him right cried the chorus. '
And ma tainted away, and the doc
thought her dead"
They all began to cry.
When Ashton brought her home we +
IL shrieked," said the youngest. '.But Il
ne Is quite well-only we make her lie h
own, You know, and she'll be so Glad q
were not frightened" o
Ashton is the noblest creature" G
lorused the sisters, and Nina. turning b
s red RS She had been pale before,
urst into tears, q
And am the mennest," she con- t
'ssed' II did not know whom he had o
'scued, and ! quarreled with him for Il
aging away all day, and sent him tt
'ck his ring this morning" i
on groaned the chorus, "a don't II
eiieve he will ever forgive YOU. and ii
III do not deserve it, p
But just then, looking up, whom did pl
ey see entering at the gate but Ash. pit
n craig And the look he gave them bI
nvinced them that he was not in st
ry angry mood. tt
Indeed, when poor Nina turned her tn
ar,hIled eyes toward him and held
Il her trembling hands it was limos. W
Die Tor him not to melt outright and or
e sisters knew that the best thing tn 10
lone was to leave the two together DIR
men they did. And shortly after ed
ma and Ashton knelt beside the in
couch, hand in hand, and on d,
mas finger shone once more her en-. mi
cement ring. ",
Don't cry; Pm perfectly well. and no
ashamed of having tainted from ha
ght, the mother said. tic
out Nina could not have given aname fire.
the emotions that mingled in har of
som and sent such shower of shin fic
{ tears down her smooth cheeks 1t
~ she knew that she was at oucs 1t
AIMED and comforted, and that for vot
hrst time since their engagement Tar
iul'y realized how well she loved ser
oetrothed husband and how glad gle
was that she was soon to be hin Pre-
C, Kansas CIV T,,,o