Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
HOW THEY MET.
BY Esther Serle Kenneth.

BY Esther Serle Kenneth.
Pretty Nab Moore sat at window Of
Der home, turning diamond ring
round and round upon her slender fin
gel. But brightly as it sparkled, scin-
tillating red and gold and blue, it
could not break her dream-the happy
dream Of a girl in love. Her thoughts
were far away. And they were bright
and beautiful as the diamonds flash.
Nab was engaged. 1t was very re-
cent matter-her engagement to young
Mr.. Everhard Lane, of the Larches.
And the strange part of it was that she
had not seen him for two years.
They had been children together, for
the Larches joined the Walnuts, which
was Mabs home; but at the death OF
her mother, when she was fourteen, she
was sent to school, and when she re-
turned, at the end of the year, Everar1
was at college, and they did not meet
for another year.
Nab seemed then to Everard to have
grown so pretty! And Everard seemed
TO Nab to have become so manly! There
was a new, strange charm in their in
tefcourse.
Nab learned the trick Of blushiny
when he came, and he the trick Of sigh
ing when they parted. 1t was strange
ly-vivid June to these two young
things; then Everard went abroad with
his father.
Mab's father was an odd man. He
would keep silent for week before
saying something of Importance.
Familiar with his habits, Nab was in
some slight degree prepared for the
revelation which followed.
'Mehitable" Che would always give
her the whole dreadful name), Squire
Lane and had talk together before
he went away. Are you attending TO
what say?"
1.-THE Larches and Walnuts join. The
squire and are both old men. DO you
hear, Mehitable?"
Eyes, father"
"Yes, sir"
1--WE have been thinking of the future
he for his boy, and for my girl"
Nab started.
1--WE propose to marry you two young
folks, and make the estate one"
''Oh, father"
"Have you any objections?"
1T Is not as / say"
''Oh! what's the reason it amt"
"Everard-"
"Well, Everard's written you letter.
Here it is. Take it and read ii. Aud
/ guess there won't be any more trou-
ble," concluded the old sea-captain.
who knew little enough how to under
stand girls.
But Everard's letter settled all dan
ger as to his matrimonial scheme. 1t
was SO warm, so manly, so gentle!
The young gentleman could hardly
have made love better with his lips
than with his pen.
Dear Little Nab: Since returning
home this evening, | have had an inter-
view with my father, and it seems as IL
i must see you; but it is too late to-
right-you are probably sweetly Sleep
ing, unconscious Of the plans made for
us by our fathers-and / leave at five
O'Clock in the morning, so an interview
is impossible. But l wish / could see
you. prefer to be the first one to tell
you that they desire our marriage, and
that your consent to the union would
give me the greatest pleasure In the
world. You know me well, with all my
iTperfections; but / know you only to
dwell on every memory Of you with de-
light and love- How proud 1 would no
to call you my wife-my little jewell
Our fathers think Of land and bonds; I
think only of you, and hope that you do
love me little, and that you will con-
sent to their wishes and mine. Write
me Mt once, and give me permission
when 1 reach Paris to send you a ring.
If / could only hold your little hand q
moment and look into your blue eyes,
should go away far happier, think,
hope.
Dear Nab, i inclose my address.
Write me as soon as you can.
EvERARD."
Add to this letter the facts that Ever
ard Lane was the handsomest and best
nstured fellow in the country, and you
will see why Nab was very happy, aud
expected to be more so.
Her reply was very dainty and sweet
like herself: and by-ahd-by Everari
reached Paris, and the ring came.
Ii was a beautiful solitaire. Nab had
never in her life seen so fine diamond
and was never weary watching Its
changing sparks of color. They were
rainbow-hued as her hopes.
As soon as the engagement was set
tied, Eyerard would gladly have return
ed home at any time; but his father had
other plans, and turned a deaf ear to
such suggestions.
A year heightened out, and another
one was nearly completed, before he
began to contemplate returning home.
How gladly Everard wrote Nab thai