The Meeker herald., 1896-05-16

among his friends All! to think that
there were 30 few left! OF course We
had great deal to say to one another,
and q thousand and one questions to
ask: and, as don't claim to have any
thing of the saint In my composition. I
don't deny that it did make me feel
Just little hard when I saw him sit
down by Edith Lonsdale and talk to
her. and look into her honest blue eyes.
before l had half told him what had
happened in the village during the
feeling didn't last long.
TITS natural enough, I'm sure" I
reasoned with myself. land only what
ought to expect. She Is as pretty rs n
picture, and now, II Roy will fall in
love with her. can be just as happy in
their happiness a. II 1t had come to me
tho blessing of good mans love"
So I persuaded myself; yet 1t was a
little hard to feel myself shut out from
woman's natural lot. l think I never
felt the bitterness of being an old
maid quite as acutely as I did that
night. when Roydon had gone to the
village inn. and Edith lay sleeping on
the pillow at my side. and the scent Of
the honeysuckles came waiting in at
every stir Of the dewy night breeze.
Well, he came often to our house. and
I used to 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 to me.
for young Burnham had called. and
was chatting with Edith. and dare say
Roy thought looked lonely with my
work in the hall.
Pen" said he. what do you think
am going to dor
his conhdante fitted across my mind.
Il don't know" I said, smiling.
What is 1t. Roy?'
I'm going to refurnish the old house.
1t looks dim and dusky and old-fash-
ioned now; and l want it to be fresh
and sunny and winsome. Will you help
me with your advice and counsel?"
OF course promised; and for the
next two or three weeks we were as
busy as bees.
I'VE mustn't let her know what We
are about" he said that night. with 4
motion of his head toward Edith.
"Oh. no, to be sure not" answered;
''it would spoil the surprise"
How pretty we did make the old
place! Every room was like casket
ready to 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
seemed prospective of tropic sunsets
and soft Alpine moons: while every
vase and stand and bookcase was ar
ranged as I knew Edith would like 1t.
Roy" said l, guardedly, the after
noon that our work of transformation
was complete, and we stood congratu-
lating each other on our SUCCESSFUL -n-
deavors-for up to 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 words"-and l
could not help laughing at his puzzled
look-"when shall you be married?"
80 you have guessed il, you demure
little Oedipus?"
"Yes, have guessed it,
well, what do you think would be
an auspicious timer"
Let me see: this is July. Why don't
,,a,, co,, Arot of t1p
THE first of August be it then" he
assented. you are sure there Is
everything here you can possibly
think off,"
Eyes, everything"
Because" he went on, when you
come here to live"
"Am 1 to live here?" 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 1t pleases. Since you
have promised to be my wife"
"I" The cozily furnished little break
fast room seemed to swim around me.
stop, Roydon, for a minute, please; I
Il don't quite understand"
You said yourself. the hrst Of Au-
gustr
But thought 1t was Edith"
Edith, indeed! A mere chfld-a
schoolgirl, whose whole heart. more
over. il 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; l had loved him lons
and tenderly, and 1 told him 70. not
without some blushings and misgiv-
ings. however.
"Oh, Pen," he whispered, holding me
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