The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-06-03

my heart sacred to his name, and it
was with a strange thrill that heard
he was again near me, and that l soon
should see him.
That day he called with his friend,
Harry Mills. He was tall, fine-look-
ing man, polished, refined and fascln-
ating in his manner 1 could hardly
identify him with the slender youth
that I had once known; but he referred
so gracefully to our former acquaint-
ance and expressed so much pleasure
at renewing the intercourse so sudden
ly interrupted, that felt perfectly at
case.
How pleasant were the days that
followed! We called each other will
and ''LiZZie'' in the most friendly way,
and Lottie and Cornie seemed already
to regard him in a very sisterly man
ner. We read, walked and talked to-
gether, and night after night his deep,
rich voice would accompany those OF
my sisters, while I played the old ia
miliar tunes upon the piano.
I fancied that my own voice might
have lost little of it's early sweet
ness, and so did not attempt to join
| the others, whose melodies were so
harmonious
Several other invitations were sent
as of yore to Misses Whitaker, and
was fast forgetting that I was an old
maid when, at an evening party l
overheard the envious and ill-natured
remark, "Just see that Elizabeth Whit
tal1er. What youthful airs she does
put on! Trying to catch Mr.. Lotus,
dare say
How those words rang in my ears
long after the lights, the music and the
darcing were shut out, and l was alone
in my own room. How I catechised
myself, and tried to reason with my
poor, foolish heart Yes, I had been
trying to look young, and had appro-
priated Wills attention as a matter of
course.
What right had to monopolize his
time? Was it not far more likely that
he would choose Lottie or Cornie-if
indeed he we're to pay court to any OF
us? Even this was by no means GER
tain; he might go again as suddenly as
he had come; and I was startled to
find what a sad void his departure
would make in our circle, and still
more in my own heart.
"Ah, Elizabeth, Elizabeth" solilo-
quized, take warning ere too late!'
The next morning I rose with new
resolve firm in my mind; I would not
, yield to the sweet decisions of love-
, would not, unasked, give my heart.
, The world should not have cause to
, laugh at the silly fondness of an old
maid. Strengthened by these purposes,
was the better fitted for the trial
t that awaited me.
I That very day Will Lotus came, and
: inquired for me alone. I caught a
! quick glance passing between Lottie
, and Cornie as I left the room, and
: there was more rapid pulsation at
my heart as I entered the cool, dim
4 room where he was seated.
: "Elizabeth,' he said tenderly, as hi
b took my hand, edo you know wha
7 priceless treasure I have come to ask
: hardly dare to be SO bold, and yet
q faint heart never won fair lady, ant
Il I must not lose my courage"
v "How very timid he has grown"
v thought. "Can he not see that he ha:
but to speak in order to VIM"
n I smiled assuringly, and he proceed
= ed.
e do not think me precipitate in m!
affection, though the acquaintance ha
: been so brief, for cannot be mistakel
II in my feelings, and only wait your per
mission to offer my hand to your pc
). sister, Cornie. You stand in the placs
of a parent to her, and therefore :
l. asked your consent" !. -. TO- -
: All, Will, Will! It was well 70,
could not read my heart just then!
With mighty effort I choked dow
a convulsive sob, and replied that h
had my full, free permission; and add
ing that I would send Cornie to hin
directly, left the room a sadder an.
a wiser woman.
There is not much to add. Cornie'
love was already given to the hand
some man so recently a stranger; an
very few months later she became hi
wife. 49,
Lottie was fair and stately brides
\ maid, while I witnessed with materna
\ complacency the ceremony which unit
ed the destinies of the only man
I had ever loved and my child-siste]
Cornie u.
Peace and contentment were m
guardian angels that night, and wit
a serenity that was sincere and una1
fected I returned the kiss which til
e bridegroom gave me, as he said ter
~ derby and gently, "Sister Elizabeth!
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