Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-09-04

sank in the west, and my heart sank
with it. My heart was in my boots for
many day, but pride finally came to
the rescue. and determined to try to
forget Mary and tho whole female sex.
Feeling that it would be impossible
to have any peace of mind with Mary
so near, planned long trip to Europe.
1t had always been my fathers wish
that !, his only son, should take this
trip, but | had always opposed 1t, think
ing that he could not afford II, for he
had two daughters, both younger than
myself, and longed to SEQ them take
that position in society which good
education only can give. And, while
this European trip would not have seri-
ously interfered with my wishes for my
sisters advancement, / knew that it
would entail an amount Of economy at
home that i 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 thnn
he himself, as he had been quite trav-
eler in his youth, and finally overcame
all my objections
My trunk was packed; passport and
guidcbooks were provided; arrange
meDts were made for the necessary
funds to meet my expenses, but not
word came from Mary, although she
must have heard that was ready to
60 Father. mother and sisters babe mo
sad goodby, and was gone.
A few days after leaving home I
sailed from New York and In due time
landed in Ireland 1t took mo a month
to see all that wanted to zoe 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. l spent six months
In Paris and the rest OF France. and
might have spent six more II / had
thought my father could afford 1t. But
! knew his resources were not abundant,
and 10 hurried ON into Germany, de-
voting year to that country, Switzer-
land and Italy. I was on the point Of
winding up my trip with few months
In Spain, when u slight incident caused
mo to turn my face toward home with
as much haste M II legion Of devils
was behind me.
Preparatory to going into Spain, had
takon a Spanish grammar out Of my
trunk with tho intention Of brushing up
my knowledge of Spanish, which had
become quite rusty from long disuse.
As / opened the book n small letter nd
dressed to me in Mary's we'll known
handwriting fell out. 1t was without
postmark and was sealed.
tore it open, with u beating heart,
for her image was aa fresh In my mem
Dry aa on the day parted with her Mt
her door 1t was very short, and l OBJ
served that the date was on the next
day after had last seen her. This was
the whole letter:
May =, l5.
DEAR JoHH-Ycs. MARY.
Only four words besides the date.
then remembered That had been
looking over my Spanish grammar ON
the very day this letter was written.
had dozed off into u nap Of few min
utes' duration and had left the book
open on the table beside me. Ind been
reused up suddenly by some ono call
ing me, and, as 1t was nearly dark when
awoke, must have shut up tho letter
In the book without seeing 1t.
Everything was now clear, and Mary
had done all that l could have wished.
took tho first steamer for New York,
and never did man GROSS tho Atlantic
ocean with greater anxiety. Well might
Mnt, hau 4 al LIANT aft.,, st,,,l,
note. / reproached myself 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 I 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
1t 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
l afterward learned that the letter
had been duly sent by trustworthy
messenger. who had come into my room,
and, finding me asleep, had left 1t at
my elbow, supposing, Of course, that !
would SEQ 1t when l woke up.
Many years have passed away since
these events took place. and there IL
little Mary now running In and out as
write. who bids fair to equal her
mother In beauty. And nothing pleases
her no 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, II has often been
taken down and hidden by my wife,
and many threats have been made to
burn IL up, but always manage to find
1t and bring IL back. New York Even
ing Post.