Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-27
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! His Promised wife.

"uow proyoking!'
Bell Brown looked out from behind the
handsome lnce curtains at stylish
phaeton drawn by pair Of beautiful
ponies just passing and then turned i'm
patiently toward group of girls at the
opposite window
''If any one else but DR.. Lester had pur.
chased such an elegant new phaeton, we
might have been excused for entertain.
Ing hopes OF enjoying an airing in it; but
that confirmed old bachelor would rather
take his grandmother out any day than
one of us And have just made up my
mind to have the first ride In that phae-
ton"
"Easier said than done" observed
saucy Linda Gray. you know you nre
speaking Of an impossibility now. We
will make you present of your wedding
dress il you succeed"
"And IL | fail | will give you each
pair of white kids to wear to my we'd
ding" Bell answered gayly. and Law
yer Browns pnr1ors were soon vacated
by the merry party that had been spend
ing the afternoon with his only daughter.
''How could | have been so foolshw
thought impulsive Bell as she stood in
the door looking down the quiet street.
"He cares nothing for me now and viii
think me more childish than ever when
he hears of this"
But she thought how he had passed
that afternoon without even glancing up
at the window where she had stood, hop
ing at least to receive bow. And then
he raised his hat moment afterward to
old Mrs. Lee.
hn hn
thought of his indifference, and as the
new phaeton came slowly down the
street again she went quickly down the
marble steps, and DR.. Lester. gazing
more earnestly than he knew at the dark
blue dress and brown curls futtering in
the wind. drew up before the door.
Doctor" she said, looking up in the
grave, handsome face. ARE you going
over the river tonight"
The gentleman bowed and looked calm
ly down on the sweet face that flushed SO
brightly as she proffered her request.
There is lady at Uncle Wills that
want to come over tonight. Will you
stop and bring her with your
Certainly! Is your cold any better?
You must keep out of the night air, or
will not answer for the consequences"
Duh W lDoh luulhtltuls Dut tut
brown eyes filed with tears and her
cheeks burned hotly as she thought that
he would have asked the same question
of all the old women in the town. She
closed the door with little more force
than was necessary, and, donning her
cloak and large hood, was soon walk
ing briskly in the direction of the uncle's
where she had requested DR.. Lester to
call for her friend.
1t was quite dark when the doctor ar
rived and gave the bell IN impatient
pull and after what seemed IN age a
middle aged lady answered it.
SIS Miss Browns friend here?" he
asked, taking the hand that was quickly
extended.
The lady's face flushed. but she an
swered quietly in the affirmative.
A slight figure soon appeared mufled
in cloak and hood. and in hoarse voice
babe the gentleman good evening.
Horace bowed In return and looked
curiously down at the little figure.
"Are you Miss Browns friend" he
asked. not knowing what else to say.
,"Yes, the best friend she ever had,"
came hoarsely from under the hood.
"You seem to have n. co1d," said
Horace, still standing in the door play
ing with his whip, while his eyes rested
on long brown curl that had escaped
from beneath the hideous hood. 81
would advise you to be careful and keep
out of the night air as much as possible"
"Keep out of the night air, indeed"
Bells lip curled scornfully as she re-
ceived the advice given to the stranger
as it had been given to her n few hours
before.
Dr. Lester assisted her down the steps
and Bell, with triumphant smile, was
helped into the carriage. But the smile
died away, and she could have cried with
anger and modification as she found
herself in an old buggy that Horace had
used until lately, and his father had used
before him.
As they rode along the doctors
thoughts were wandering from his quiet
companion to the brown haired girl who
had looked up so shyly when she asked
favor that afternoon.
lie had quite forgotten the lady by his
side when small hand was placed on
his arm and a sweet voice said:
"Dr. Lester, l am so sorry that have
deceived you."
He only looked down on the bright
young face and soft brown eyes, but did
not answer.
won't you forgive me?" she said
pleadingly. "The girls thought l would
not get ride in the phaeton we admired
so much, and l was so silly and promised
them white kids IL did not succeed"
Tears were filling the soft eyes, and
DR.. Lester took the trembling hand in a
firm clasp and said earnestly:
"Bell, il call for you tomorrow after.
noon, will you ride with me in the new
| phaeton as the owners promised wife,"
The answer must have been satisfac-
tory. for the next day the ponies stood
before Lawyer Browns door. and Bells
lady friends are thinking seriously of
preparing the wedding dress she had
won.-Exchange.