The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-05-10

hfelt almost light-headed when i sud
denly inherited a little fortune of S10,-
600, but the dizzy sensation was pro-
duced by pure joy. and in no sense by
conceit, or any form Of the evil de-
scribed by the apostle as being "puhed
up" or wanting ones self"
was already an old maid, that Is TO
say, l was nearing thirty, and the one
romance of my life had been my en-
gagement to Oscar Eckstrom. He was
a clever young Swede, OF good station
In his own country, and OF marked
ability as an engineer. by which trade
he had hoped TO make sufficient In
come to permit him TO take on himself
the expense Of wife. and a mother
in-law; for my dear mother, who was
a helpless invalid, had so long been a
part Of me that the man who married
the daughter would be obliged to con-
slider the mother as part Of her while
she lived. This often troubled my
dear mother, but would not allow her
to speak Of II, or indeed to think Of 1t,
either, so far as could prevent it.
Oscar and | had now been engaged
for about five years, but, although he
was steady and industrious, the time
when we could appoint our wedding
day had not yet come, and ! still re-
tained my position in the school where
j had been first appointed to the pri-
mary department, when ] was not yet
fifteen years Of age. My salary made
a comfortable support for my mother
and Isyself, and Oscar was each week
laying a small sum in bank, and we
confidently looked forward to better
and brighter days to come.
And behold they came-in way we
had hardly anticipated. My Uncle
Samuel, after whom, as he had been
my mothers only brother, | had been
named, died in some far away place in
Australia, leaving me what at first
seemed the almost fabulous sum of
$4,000!
Perhaps n girl who had been dow.
cred with the name Of Samuella really
deserved q compensation Of that sort,
but don't know II thought that way
about il, being just so happy and CRATE
full that | was simply light-headed,
and my joy was not even tempered by
sorrow at the loss of my uncle, for
had never seen him in my life.
In every way | was glad and CRATE
full over my inheritance.
In the first place Oscar and | could
now be married. in the second place
long years I'm the schoolroom, and a
series of vacations spent in the hot
city, had taxed my strength more than
i dared confess to myself although
the doctor had commanded rest, and
a summer in the country for both my
mother and MYSELF. and lastly, | could
indulge in the extravaganza of having
my one girl friend come and pay me n
visit
| had long known Of cosy little
house in the country. which | could get
on easy terms at any time when | was
in the position 10 bid for it; my first
act now was to take advantage of this
lucky chance
/ then sent in my resignation Of my
position in school and procured sub
stitute for the balance of the term, for
l was not going to sacrifice the early
spring beauty of the country - the
months of April and May, which had
always seemed TO me the true holiday
of the year-and then Oscar and had
n little talk about our long delayed
wedding day. At last we decided on
the first Of September, and | gave my
self up to the luxury of a few days of
shopping, not mere looking in show
windows and pricing of goods. but
genuine shopping, for | had my mod
est little trousSeau TO prepare, and cX-
cept my wedding dress and bonnet.
had determined 10 make everything
required with my own hands.
BY the end Of week / was settle
In my dear little cottage home. and
though Oscar had complained of the
long time to wait, | soon realized how
wise ! had been TO put off my we'd
ding-day for several months to come.
for what with The gardening to do and
my sewing. il was well If | would be
quite ready DN september
Three evenings in the week Oscar
came to see me. The railroad journey
was about half an hours duration. and
Ii allowed him to remain from 6.30 till
$50, and though the three bright hours
few by almost like minutes. the mem
DRY of them fingered with us both dur.
ing every moment OF the time between
and each time when we met again we
resumed our conversation almost at
the word where we had dropped il on
the evening before
or course / had lonG since written
10 Clare, and she had promised tC
come 20 me rs soon rs | was settled IN
my new home, aud though she had moi
yet named the day on which | might
expect her, ! was not in the least sur
prised when she appeared one evening
In the middle of May. in company witt
Oscar. / knew her in a moment. ant
far or. though | had not seen her for
years. and | thrilled with delight {,
see that she was as pretty as ever
prettier. indeed. as | soon decided
when became once more accustomed
TO aCr face.
'he arrived from different points o
the compass At the same time. almost.
she e:..almed. gayly. "and | was still
inquring my way when Mr.. Eckstrom
hearing your name, and guessing n
mine. was so good as to take charg
of me and bring me here. and one 4,
the natives. who drove a very diiapI
dated animal that may yet, in IN
course OF evolutionary processes. hC
cnmp a hnrsn- has nrnmisnd 10 nl.in