The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-01-03

When the snow fell and there was
sleigDing, Col. ST. Adams invited In
yited q party Of his friends to the new
house for a sort OF "house-warming'
supper, Letitia among the rest. At first
she thought she would not So but Isa-
bel declared 1t would look "odd," md
people would think that she had not
forgotten that "old romantic episode"
and Miss Letitia decided not to give
people any chance to talk.
Isabel went with the colonel in his
own sleigh, and was as happy as 4
queen, and all the other girls We're
ready to die of envy. The sleighing was
none Of the best for new snow had
fallen, and the weather had not yet
cleared. The wind was blowing furi-
ously, and the air was thick with fly
ing snow Somehow in the darkness
the colonels horse managed to upset
the sleigh. and in conseQu .nce a half
dozen more sleighs shared the same
fate, and half the merry party were
mixed up together in inextricable con-
fusion.
The decentralization was Of course
hurried, particularly on the part OF
Col. st. Adams, who had FESTIVE
horse, and one quite indisposed to wait
patiently for passengers in such furi-
GUS wind as was then raging
They had gone fully a mile, the col
onel holding the reins with both hands,
when he heard low and tremulous
voice say:
Pardon me, Col. St. Adams, but I
fear that you have taken the wrong
passenger"
Good heaven!" he cried, in strong
agitation. ''Letitiav'
Eyes. Do not be offended; I was not
to blame for it. The snow blinded me.
and I thought surely you We're Brother
John"
Though the robes had been wrapped
around her, st. Adams was sure he felt
her tremble. He drew closer to her
side, moved by some uncomfortable
| impulse to speak what was in his
| heart.
'Letitia," he said hoarsely, "once we
were not strangersv'
but that time is past"
| Yes" he said, bitterly. ''Yonr ca
| price ruined my happiness, and made
me dissatisfied and useless wander
err
my capricer' she said, slowly. Il
| do not understand"
Letitia was growing dizzy, and the
world Of snow spun round and round
before her bewiidered eyes. He turned
upon her Sharply.
you do not understand? Then let
| me explain. Why did you not answer
my letter? the letter in which I told
you l loved you-in which I asked YOU
to be my Wife? was a coward, Letitia!
Love made me distrust myself, else
surely should have spoken to you in
stead OF writing But L wrote, and ask
ed you to answer me as you felt, and
told you if you rejected me, you need
only keep silent. And you kept SILENT
THAT letter never reached me-" she
said, family. So
1T did not? But if it had? if it had?'
His hand sought hers, all unmindful
Of his horse; and the animal took the
liberty Of deciding his own course and
went off in the very opposite direction
from the right one, but St. Adams
did not observe it, He was too intent
on Letitia to observe his horse.
II loved you, Gerard she said, soft
~. My answer could have been moth
ing but that
MY darling! change that form of ex-
| ~ S~'''AoAAS NC SAACu OdS ! lOtS
YOU GeTa1d'"
And she said it, with his lips holding
hers so close they dared not make a
mistake in the words he dictated. But
she added Immediately: ..N
| 1T is too late to dream these dreams,
! Gerard. I am too old"
He laughed gleefully.
Just four years younger than your
'iathusaleh of lover!' said he. press
ing her closer to his heart. IT'S all
right now, dearest, and 1 thank heaven
Tor sending me the wrong passenger,
for she is the right one, after ALL"
or course the girls were all greatly
surprised at the turn affairs had taken,
and were ready to exclaim against the
1mpudence Of that lawfully designing
Old maid;" but Letitia was so happy
she could afford to be talked about
and love, the great rejuvenator, made
her young again.