The Forrest City times., 1895-09-06
BY MUTUAL CONSENT.

~sAAs @hA <hA 6 &hOooihk0E WOEc unaffected people, devoted to their children and to Nancy, Mir. Messinger's young stepsister.
 One sunny afternoon in early sum- mer Mrs Messinger sat at the open bay window of tue drawing-room read ing. The door opened presently and Nancy came in rather slowly. She came over to the window and seated herself in a low basket chair with an air of constraint.
 "I have letter from Jim," she said
 "Does he say when he is coming?'
 "Yes; he came by the same steam ship as the letter. He will be here to- morrow, suppose"
 "Nancyl really?" asked Mary, look ing almost excited. Are you not de- lighted?"
 "I-I-have a confession to make" said Nancy, nervously, looking out over the sea. Il thought I loved Jim when he went out to India five years ago, but l was only seventeen then. and did not realize what love meant We had known each other all our lives, and mistook our friendship for love.
 II have felt it dimly for year or two, but what made it all clear to me was Jim's last letter, saying that he was coming home. 1t filled me with dismay and fear. felt that I simply could not meet him as his betrothed wife, so 1 wrote last mail and asked him to release me from my engage ment."
 And what does he say?" Mary asked, anxiously.
 He is delighted" said Nancy, brightening. "He says that his feel ings have changed too."
 You never hinted at any change be- fore," said Mary, a little reproach- fully.
 II only knew 1t dimly or l might have done so," replied Nancy. gently. And since l wrote to him have been silent to spare you any anxiety. My letters have never been from the pres ent Nancy, but from the Nancy as 1 could remember her at seventeen. In fact, have been writing down all the time to the level of his intelligence as shown in his letters, and that level is painfully low"
 "He would be much more likely to object if he once saw you" said Mary, frankly, flor these five years have done wonders with you in every way"
 ''Oh, he's so boyish that he will think me strong-minded, and therefore dis like me" said Nancy, laughing. And did send him my last photograph, you know"
 Did you send that hideous thing?" asked Mary in surprise.
 "Well," confessed Nancy. rather re- unconfessed hope that he would offer to break off the engagement if he once saw that hideous caricature."
 A day or two later Nancy started for her usual afternoon walk along the cliffs. Walking quickly along, she did not hear footsteps behind her. and was surprised at hearing herself suddenly addressed. Looking up with startled eyes, she found young man gazing at her with puzzled, intent expression In his handsome face.
 "Yos are Nancy, are you not?" he said. doubtfully, holding out his hand.
 Why, Jim, is it really you?" asked Nancy, regarding him with surprise "How you have grown! When did you come? and how did you find me?"
 Il came two days ago." he said, red dening slightly in irritation at her first words, but called at the Ness this afternoon and Mrs. Messinger told me where l should And you"
 "Let us go home now, and then you can see them all," she said, turning back. "You will hardly know the children; they were such mites when you left"
 Fl certainly shall not, if ,they@haye altered as much as you have done. I scarcely knew you" he said, looking down at her with intent gray eyes