The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-08-28
. Sstser h.ie ssssIfast q 3 linst,.a

bub t1ey Will Dtloro lOuRt 1feHtuieu
as Unattached her gate, hoping against
hope she would give me what / was
after, and she sweetly put up her lips
and said, Just one more day, my Ze-
kiel." How could / kiss that sweet
MOUTH I would have given my gray
colt just then to have been Zeke and he
me. had not bargained for kiss; but,
then, was she not as good as a sister?
So ! kissed her and held her in my arms
"a moment and whispered GOOD night"
as she went in.
My checks burned, my fingers tin
Igled, my heart futtered, SO broke into
10 rapid run and fled homeward.
Meantime Bob left Zeke, and the 9TH
er boys came back round them and ask
cd questions and laid plans. A ringing
laugh now and then from the entry al
layed Zeke's fears concerning Nell for
awhile. As the plan was laid one of the
girls said as he can out:
"Zeke, Nell couldn't wait so long
But she doesn't want you to feel bad
about il"
why, no." Zeke replied pleasantly.
81 couldn't get away sooner" But his
face showed his disappointment.
We had found ont the secret at least.
And now our luck hung upon the chance
of Zeke and Nell not speaking Of that
nights work. Slim thread it was, but
anyway we could serenade them just
the same.
We were busy. Masks to make drums
to find and horns and bells and old tin
pans and-well, you young boys know
how it is told by your fathers, and you
old hoys have all been there.
/ knew Zeke had rented rooms in an
l. of Farmer Judsons house, and by
Ipeering into the windows we saw every
thing was in readiness, even to fuel in
the woodbox.
They were married few minutes be-
fore s (since learned it,, had breakfast
lat and repaired to their new home to
look it over. Father and mother said
they wero going to town and did, but
stopped there on their way hither
None Of my brothers and sisters mis-.
trusted one word, and some of Nelly's
cousins were as ignorant rs we, She
was the only child, SO had no one tc
keep it from at home.
Zeke since has told me the boys had
made their brags about no ono ever es.
Gaping "belling" where they were,
and for this reason and this alone had
he kept it secret. .. ....-a
AS soon as night had spread her wings
over the earth we gathered our trappings
together for our grand sercnadc. We
were not quito sure whether the bride
and groom would Immediately settle
down in their new home or talry day
or SO at the old home. We knew well
that the minister from Glendale had re.
turned home, for l myself had met him
with his wife i'll closed carriage that
afternoon. But as twilight approached
a cheerful light from Zckc's new home
told very plainly to us where they were.
We marshaled our forces and took our
places in line. Not u drum was heard,
mot a bugle note, not tho clap of @
broken boil, though have often won.
dered how we all kept from shouting
aloud as we peared into each others
faces.
Tramp, tramp, along the slippery
roadl Forward i'll an irregular triangle
we stood before the lighted rooms and
commenced our bombardment Louder
and louder grew our frenZied music, a.
mo one opened the door. Finally the dooi
was opened, and we were invited in.
just behind me was Bob, enormously
padded and painted, and in disguised
voice he said, pushing me a little ahead
.U was their captain, salute the bride!'
I In little alcove stood two forms witt
something white thrown over them.
supposed Nelly had done this to hide
her blushing face. So thinking of that
other kiss out in the moonlight strodt
up to them, picked out Nell by the
skirts visible beneath the cover, pulled
off the same with quick motion ant
planted kiss upon the rosy mouth O.
the blushing bride-or so | supposed
Shout upon shout came from those be
hind me while l rubbed my eyes to sc,
if l was indeed awake.
For there before me stood not Nellie
and zeke, but Mr. Whitney and hi
white haired little wife. Wild with tn,
determination to redeem myself ant
punish those who had caused me t,
make this mistake l ransacked tn
house for the ones / most wished t,
find. Others helped me, but it was final
: ly told us by Nelly's father that tn
bride and groom had gone with the min
lister to Glendale, there to take con
veyance to Poker's Corner to visit witt
relatives for several weeks. During tn
Y excitement l had forgotten to disguis
! my voice. 1t was too late when l recov
u cred myself. was sold" completely
Salute tho bride was hurled at IN
for years, and always up my back woul
creep the chills as they had that nigh
!, when / found had Rugged and kisse
! old Mrs. Whitney. Nellie told me whe
:, she came home if had not treated he
SO shabbily that night in the moonshin
her heart would have repcnted her be
fore she had laid all the plans. TIL
tour was planned but an hour befor
the wedding, when they happened t
stumble upon the truth.
# And now l don't know why / hav
told this. never want to inflict til
public with matter which has no MOI
al or lesson. This has mono unless it
/ do unto Others" etc. l think Wa
served just right for playing the detcct
y i've. Yet Zeke either ought to have tol
me all or not have been my twin. =
: Philadelphia Tines