Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-05

and Lizzie" In the most friendly way.
and Lottle and Cornie. seemed already
70 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 ! played the old ia
miliar tunes upon the plano.
/ fancied that my W voice might
have lost a little of Its 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 I
was fast forgetting that I was an old
maid. when. at an evening party l
overheard the envlous and ill-natured
remark, "Just see that Elizabeth Whit
taker. 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
dancing were shut out, and / was alone
In my own room. How | catechised
myself. and tried to reason with my
poor. foolish heart. Yes. ! had been
trying to look young, and had appro-
Driated Wills attention as a matter OF
course.
What right had ! to monopollze his
time? Was It not far more likely that
he would choose Lottie or Cornie-if
indeed he were 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 / 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" I solilo-
quized. take warning ere too late!"
The next morning | rose with a new
resolve firm in my mind: l 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
that awaited me.
That very day VIII LOTUS came, and
inquired for me alone. 1 caught a
quick glance passing between Lottie
and Cornie as | left the room, and
there was a more rapid pulsation at
my heart as / entered the cool. dim
room where he was seated.
Elizabeth" he said tenderly, as lie
took my hand, "do o know what
priceless treasure l have come to ask?
hardly dare to be so bold. and yet.
faint heart never won fair lady, and
| must not lose my courage"
How very timid he has grownw I
thought. Can he not see that he has
but to speak in order to VIM"
l smiled assuringly. and he proceed
ed.
do not think me p~recipitate in my
affection. though the acquaintance has
been so brief, for | cannot be mistaken
in my feelings, and only wait your per-
mission to offer my hand to your pet
sister, Cornie. You stand in the place
of a parent to her. and therefore /
asked your consent"
All, Will, Will! 1t was well you
could not read my heart just then!
With a mighty effort / choked down
a conyulsive sob, and replied that he
had my full, free permission; and add
ing that l would send Cornie to him
directly, left the room a sadder and
a wiser mi
There is not much to add. Cornie's
love was already given to the hand
some man so recently a stranger; and
a very few months later she became his
wife.
Lottie was a fair and stately brides
maid. while / witnessed with maternal
c%omplacency the ceremony which unit
ed the destinies Of the only man I
had ever loved and my child-sister.
Cornie.
Peace and contentment were my
guardian angels that night, and with
a serenity that was sincere and unaf-
fected l returned the kiss which the
bridegroom gave me. as he said ten
derby and gently, Sister Elizabeth