The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-05-16

the blessing OF good mans love-
So persuaded myself; yet 1t was :
little hard 10 feel myself shut out from
all the beauty and sweetness Of {
woman's natural lot. | think l never
felt the bitterness OF being an old
maid quite as acutely as | did that
night, when Roydon had gone 10 the
village inn, and Edith lay sleeping on
the pillow at my side. and the scent OF
the honeysuckles came waiting in al
every stir of the dewy night breeze.
Well, he came often TO our house. and
used 10 make all sorts OF little ex-
cuses TO leave him with Edith. while
went up stairs TO sit by myself and
weave little threads OF romance in and
out of the meshes of my fancy. knitting.
One day Roydon Grey came 10 me,
for young Burnham had called. and
was chatting with Edith. and dare say
Roy thought l looked lonely with my
work in the hall.
Pen" said he. what do you think l
am going TO do?"
A dim idea he was going 10 make me
his confidante fitted across my mind.
Il don't know" said, smiling.
What is IL. Roy?"
I'm going to refurnish the old house.
II looks dim and dusky and old-fash-
Toned now; and i want IL TO be fresh
and sunny and winsome. VIII you help
me with your advice ana COUNSEL"
OF course | promised: and for the
next two or three weeks We were as
busy as bees.
We mustn't let her know what We
are about" he said that night. with
motion of his head toward Edith.
"0h, no. 10 be sure not,' answered;
lit would spoil the surprise"
How pretty We did make the old
ready 10 receive a jewel; the bright
carpets glowed in bouquets and moses
and trailing arabesques Of Persian
brightness, all over the floor; the win
dows were draped with neat and taste
full shades: the pictures on the walls
and soft Alpine moons; while every
vase and stand and bookcase was ar
ranged as knew Edith would like it.
Roy" said !, guardedly, the after
noon that our work OF transformation
was complete, and We stood congratu-
deayors-for up 10 this time had been
very discreet, and asked no questions
when shall the queen of this en-
chanted realm take possession of her
fairy bower? In other vords"-and /
could not help laughing at his puzzled
look-"when shall you be married."
so you have guessed IL, you demure
little Oedipus?"
Yes. have guessed it,
We'll. what do you think would be
an suspicious timer
Let me see; this is July. Why don't
you say the first of August?"
The first of August be it then" he
assented. You are sure there is
everything here you can possibly
think Off"
Yes, everything"
Because" he went on, when you
CCLut mere 10
Am l to live here?" I asked. But,
Roy, perhaps she wouldn't like it,"
She? Who is she?" he inquired.
why, Edith, TO be sure"
What has Edith got to say, should
like to know" cried Roydon, laughing.
My darling little Pen, If you are salts
fed, the rest of the world may say, do,
and think what it pleases. Since you
have promised to be my wife"
"Ir' The cozily furnished little break
fast room seemed TO swim around me.
stop, Roydon, for a minute, please; |
i don't quite understand"
You said yourself, the first Of Au-
gustw
But thought it was Edith
Edith, indeed! A mere child-a
schoolgirl, whose whole heart, more
over, is wrapped up in Harry Burnham!
Why, Pen, where have your eyes been?"
Where, indeed? Could / have been
blind all this time-so resolutely, in
corrigibly blind?
do you love me, Pen? Don't look
the other way; will be answered.
did love him; had loved him long
and tenderly, and / told him so, not
some blushings and misgiv-
ings, however.
"Oh, Pen" he whispered, holding me
close to his heart, IF you knew tho
years and years had been looking for
ward to this time"
So was married-quietly, OF course,
and with no bridesmaid but Edith; but
| think the sun never shone on a hap
pier bride. And live in the old place,
and Edith is here with me; but next
week we are to have another wedding.
and my blue-eyed blossom goes from
me 10 Harry Burnham's care.
But, as / said before, il all seems like
a dream: and as / sit alone in my
beautiful home, almost fancy myself
a solitary old maid again, until Roy
don's footstep in the hall, and his
voice calling for his dear little wife,"
rouses me to sense of my new life and
new happiness.
And | dare say shall get used to u