The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-08-07

that position III society which coed
education only can give. And, while
this European trip would not have seri-
ously interfered with my wishes for my
sisters advancement. L knew that it
would entail an amount Of economy at
home that l did not like TO think Of
But, seeing my depressed spirits and
perhaps guessing the cause, my father
renewed his persuasions, set forth in
glowing terms the advantages to be
gained. which none knew better than
he himself, as he had been quite a trav-
eler in his youth, and finally overcame
all my objections.
My trunk was packed; passport and
guidebooks We're provided; arrange
ments were made for the necessary
funds to meet my expenses, but not a
word came from Mary, although she
must have heard that / was ready to
60 Father, mother and sisters babe me
a sad goodby, and was gone.
A few days after leaving home /
sailed from New York and in due time
landed in Ireland. 1t took me month
to see all that wanted to see Of that
country, and / spent two months in
Scotland, three months in England and
proceeded to Paris, determined to stay
long enough in France to learn the Ian
guage thoroughly. / spent six months
III Paris and the rest of France, and
l might have spent six more if l had
thought my father could afford it, But
! knew his resources were not abundant,
and 50 I hurried on into Germany, de-
voting year to that country, Switzer-
land and Italy. was ON the point of
winding up my trip with few months
in Spain, when slight incident caused
me to turn my face toward home with
as much haste as if legion Of devils
was behind me.
Preparatory going into Spain, had
taken Spanish grammar out Of my
trunk with the intention of brushing up
my knowledge of Spanish, which had
become quite rusty from long disuse.
AS 1 opened the book small letter ad-
dressed to me in Mary's well known
handwriting fell out. 1t was without
postmark and was sealed.
l tore it open, with beating heart,
for her image was as fresh in my mem
DRY as OH the day parted with her at
her door. 1t was very short, and 1 OBJ
served that the date was on the next
day after had last seen her. This was
the whole letter:
May :, 49,.
DEAR JoHN-Yes. MARY.
Only four words besides the date.
1 then remembered that l had been
looking over my Spanish grammar OH
the very day this letter was written,
had dozed off into u nap of q few min
utes' duration and had left the book
open on the table beside me. had been
reused up suddenly by some one call
ing me, and, as it was nearly dark when
I awoke, must have shut up the letter
in the book without seeing it.
Everything was now clear, and Mary
had done all that I could have wished.
1 took the first steamer for New York,
and never did man cross the Atlantic
ocean with greater anxiety Well might
Mary have remained silent after such
note. l reproached myself a hundred
times for never making any inquiries as
to the causes Of her silence and cursed
my foolish pride along with my re-
proaches.
AS soon as l got to the end of my
journey went directly to Mary s house,
even before going to my own home. She
was decidedly cool toward me, though
it had been years since we had seen each
other But when explained the matter,
she seemed fully satisfied, and we were
married in few weeks.
/ afterward learned that the letter
had been duly sent by trustworthy
who had come into my room,
and, finding me asleep, had left it at
my elbow, supposing, of course, that
would see it when l woke up
Many years have passed away since
these events took place, and there is
little Mary now running in and out as
I write, who bids fair to equal her
mother in beauty. And nothing pleases
her so much as when tell her the story
Of my finding mammals letter in my
Spanish book on the borders Of Spain.
Said letter is now framed and glazed |
and hangs above me. 1t has often been
taken down and hidden by my wife,
and many threats have been made to |
burn it up, but always manage to find
it and bring it back. New York Even
ing Post.