The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1899-04-20

ne tdlkSu Oh D0F SD constantly, Gcll-
ing me how bravely she did her duty
and how her beauty of character far ex-
ceeded even the charm of face and form.
We looked to him almost as our de-
liverer. for fathers health and vigor
were at last restored, but when he asked
him for his bill be laughingly replied:
"Tbat was private matter with Miss
Maude. She is to settle that -
My father looked amazed, but / could
cept and imagined their surprise when
he should demand it at their hands
The summer was rapidly approaching
the time for Maude's home coming
was at hand.
With glad, happy heart | decorated
our room with the roses she so loved;
hung fresh muslin curtains from the
windows, Topped them back with sprays
of flowers. all the while singing aloud
in my joy.
had reason to be happy. for Maude
was coming to a home over which hung
no shadow of debt. The mortgage had
been paid. W hat she had saved should
60 toward her trousseau when she need
ed one, for father had prospered beyond
all expectation
At last | heard the sound of wheels
Nearer aDu nearer
81 bring you surprise, " she had
written, and by her side sat DR., Mel
rose. knew it all. Was it not as | pic
tured. fancied, hoped: | only know that
an impulse which sprang from some
corner of my brain caused me to tuln
hastily up the stairs, aud, burying my
head in the pillow. sob aloud.
"Ellie darling! Where are you?'
questioned sweet, girlish voice. And
| sprang up, ashamed of my momentary
weakness, to find myself clasped in my
sisters warm, loving embrace.
She had come back lovelier than ever
An, / could Huess what had deepened
the flush upon her cheek, the radiance
| to her eye!
smoothed my disordered hair, listen
ing the while to her merry talk, though
not word did she say of him, whose
then as he sat talking.
Look your BEST she said, with
rognish tw:nkle-''your very. very best !!
Ihere-l am satisfied.
And, taking me by the hand, she ran
apidly down into the room where they
all sat. DR.. Melrose arose and came
forward with his old smile of welcome
and made a movement as though he
would already give me brothers. kiss,
but remembered in time that his secret
was not yet disclosed.
| hn MIR 1x1 IN,
pleasant laugh aud jest Occasionally
intercepted a glance between Maude and
her guest, full of meaning, but no one
else seemed to notice it, At last he rose
to bid us goodnight, and as be held my
hand a moment in his he whispered:
"You have always been the most in
defatigable in pressing my small claim
upon you. Tomorrow will present it
to you for payment. May / see you for
few moments in the morning?'
"Certainly,' | answered, but my
voice trembled, and l think had he
staid moment longer | should have
burst into tears
| All through that long night watch
ed my sister, sleeping so peacefully by
my side. waging my little war with
myself
How natural that he should love her.
SO young, 80 lovely But. alb, why had
my heart gone forth unasked to meet
his? At least the secret was all my own
none would suspect it.
| / had not known it myself until !
had seen them side by side. With per-
haps shade less color, little culver
ing of the lips, but nothing more, l en-
tered the parlor next morning to greet
DIR. Melrose. who stood waiting for me-
81 have c..me, as you know, to claim
my payment, Ellie Can you guess it,"
A momentary struggle with myself,
then answered bravely:
Eyes, l know it all You have my
consent, DR.. Melrose, although you take
our dearest possession.
He looked bewildered, but suddenly
seemed to understand, as he said:
''Then you know, Ellie? Since the
day first saw you in church l have
loved you, have cherished as my fondest
dream the hope of making you my
wife! Darling, you are sure have your
CONSENT
"But Maude?" almost gasped
''Maude is only too happy in the
hope that l may win you. She is en-
gagged to cousin w HON she met at Mrs
Marvin's, and who is soon coming to
claim her. He is a splendid fellow and
we'll worthy of her. but |, alb, my dar
ling, can accept no other payment than
yourself!'
And, in a wild burst of passionate
JOY, Of marvellous unbelief, l gave it to
him, as he sealed it with the first kiss
of our betrothal. Chicago Times Her.
| aid
DISCOVERED BY Notwithstanding
great discovery has been made, and that
too, by a lady in this country "Diseast
L o. 10 -, g., ~ -.