Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-03-09

children. She was not the blue
eyed, goldcn.haired girl of bis
dreams, but a sweet, earnest young
woman.
She was bidding the little ones
"good-by." They were off from her,
on the sidewalk when the elder
child sang ont, kissing his little
dimpled hand:
"Good bye, Annie.'
Edgar Roberts felt as if he would |
like to clasp the little fellow to his
heart. He had relieved blm of all
anxiety. He had found his Annie
Grey.
From that afternoon twice every
day he passed the home of the
widow Grey, frequently seeing
Annie.
THIS, however, was his only re-
ward. She never seemed at all
conscience of his presence.
What next How to proceed, on
bis fixed determination Of winning
her, it possible.
Another bright thought. He
felt pretty sure she atten ded
churh somewhere. 50 the next
Sunday morning, at an early hour,
he was commanding a view of
Annie's home. When the church ,
bells began TO ring he grew very
anxious. a few moments and the
door opened, and the object Of his
thoughts stepped forth. Now
Edgar felt bis cause was in the
ascendency.
Some distance behind, and on
the other side of the street, he
followed ever keeping he: IN view
until he saw her enter a not far
distant church.
Edgar was growing happier,
and more confident Of final sue
cess every week, when an event
came which promised speedy re-
moval of all difficulty IN his path.
The school was gong to have a
picnic. Then and there he would
certainly have an introduction to
Aunle, and after spendlnga a whole
day with her, be would accompany
her home and win the privilege
Of calling often.
The day OF the picnic da~ned
brightly, and the happy party
gathered on the deck of the steam
er. The first person who met
Edgar Roberts eye was his fellow
student, Edward Roberts. Stand
ing beside him were two ladies
and some children. When Z lgar
hasteued up to speak to his friend,
the ladies turned, and Edward
presented:
"My wife; ny sister, Miss Grey"
Edgar Roberts could scarcely
suppress an exclamation of JOY
and surprise.
Annie was all he had believed
her-chsrmlng in every way.
Edgar made a conhdant of his
friend; told him what Edward
know before, but was wise en-
Ough not to explain the mistake
of his hopes and fears; and won
from the prudent brother the
promise to help him all he could.
Accompanying Annie home that
evening, and gaining her pernis :
sion to call again, he lost no time
10 doing so, and often repeated
the call.
Perhaps Annie thought him very
fast 10 his woolng and precipltate
in declaring bis love, when, aftel
only fortnight visiting her, be
said:
"Aunie do you like me enough
and trust in me sufficiently, TO
, allow me to ask your mother tC
call me her soni'
Either so happy or so surprls
ed was Annie, that she could no
speak just then. But smiles crowd
ed over her face, and she did not
try to withdraw the hand be hat
clasped.
o "AnDle, love-" he whispered
n She raised her eyes to his wit
: such strange surprised look il
- them, that he laughed and said:
q "YOu think l am hasty, Ami
q You don't know how long rv
:. loved you, aud have waited fc
10 this hour"
d "Lougl-two weeks" she said.
'e "Why, AunIe, it is over thre
r. months since I've not been able
D. think anything save Annie Grey
d ever since that night / received 70