Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-12-06

love'" he asked, when she was smiling
again.
81 don't know" she murmured. 1T
was the-the heat, suppose"
land where's JimP" asked the per-
picked warrior.
"If you mean that tall young shaver, Z"
struck in Miss Betsey, "hes gone home
like afeller o. sense, seein he couldn't be O.
no use here
General st. Aubyn," said Josephine
in a very low voice, 81 know you will
think me a silly little goose, but please
don't bring that young man hero again p
"Josephine-my love-why nOt?"
Observation-Disclosures, " faltered the girl,
playing with his watch chain, and hiding
her flushed face against his breast, cts IL
whim Of mine!"
"Woll, just as you say" said the old
general, but must remark, it's perfect
ly unaccomtable"
women urc uuuronuntuble creatures, &"
sho said trying to laugh. And now tell
me about your new pictures"
But long aitcf The general had gone, she
lay on tho sofa, shutting uut the light from
huf eyes villa closely u!;apCd bands, and
breathing out tho wild, wuiiing means
That cam como OnIy from u broken heart
NhGn General st. Aubyn returned to
his room at the hotel, no found Ashley
pacing the floor with hurried stops
Uncle he SAID, looking up as the
general entered, IL have changed my mind
about that PARKWAY official post in India
Will you obtain the appointment for mcy"
Certainly; but, James, you would bo
Obliged ia Snil innpGiutnlv ~
1.-The sooner the better, sir. Every hour
that l remain in this country seems an age
to me"
".James," said General st. Aubyn, re-
garding his nephew with keen, piercing
gaze, what does this mean? And why
does Josephine object to seeing you againy
There is some mystery here!"
Il would to heaven l had died ere had
gone there today. Ask me no further I'M
cle-it is best for the happiness of all to
bury the past in eternal oblivion"
General st. Aubyn stood moment in
deep thought as James hastily quilted the
room. Suddenly new light seemed to
break upon him. He grew pale and
clinched his hands firmly.
81 have it" he muttered between his
teeth. This is the girl to whom James
was engaged before he went to Europe,
and that merccnary scoundrel Clare would
have broken both their hearts and put me
in this false position to secure his own
ends. "
The next day he sought Josephine after
long interview with her father.
Josephine, he said, "would you Oh
ject to celebrating the wedding next week
instead of next month";"
She looked up in surprise
"A bridegroom is privileged to be i'm
patient" he said lightly.
1T shall be as you wish, :" she replied
passively.
Pale and lovely as her own pearls, she
stood at the threshold of the church wait
ing for the bridegroom's cortege. At
length it came and General St. Aubyn
stepped forward.
Josephine" he whispered, "my gener-
GUS noble girl, feared the bridegroom of
90 would be i'll suited to your fresh bloom,
SO l have substituted one of 90! Jim,
come forward And I'm going to be on
hand as best man."
Josephine thought she was in blissful
dream; but, no, it was true, and almost ere
she could realize the new state of things
she was tight married to James Ashley,
and the general folding her in his arms,
whispered:
"Your father and have arranged mat
ters all right, dearest! Don't thank me,
for although l have lost wife l have
gained the sweetest of little nieces I'm
quite satisfied"
And so were Mr.. and Mrs James Ash
ley.-New York News.