Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1905-06-24

Ii from him and forbade him to leave
the house. The lad said nothing about
the other, but watched his opportunity
to leave the premises, and deliver it at
the office. The delay, however, wos very
near proving fatal to more than one Of
u.s."
"That unhappy man." said Mr.. Jona-
than, had telegraphed to say that he
would be with me that night. But
felt half inclined to start for Essex with
out waiting for him, and chance the con-
dition of the house. But look! here are
two old friends of yours coming this
way. Silas."
Such was the fact. Walking up the
pathway towards the house were Martha
Jennings and Josiah Cook.
l FASTENED to meet the good, kind crea-
ture who had sheltered me, fed me and
clothed me when l was houseless and
destitute. She was dressed with un-
usual smartness-a white bonnet, blue
silk dress, and a bright-colored, or rath-
er many-colored, shawl. Josiah was also
got up in an unusual style; bright green
satin necktie, buff waistcoat and white
hat.
After a little conversation, the secret
came out; the worthy pair had been mar
ried that morning.
married." 1 exclaimed; "why had
not the least idea that such a thing was
ever thought Off
mo more had we, Master Silas, a
few weeks ago." answered Martha
blushing, land, you know, you have not
seen us since Christmas. So, as you
had kindly sent me an invitation to come
down and see you, l thought l would
take the liberty to bring Josiah along
with me, and make it sort of marriage
trip"
81 am very much delighted to see you
both, and you shall stay with us for
your honeymoon l said, shaking hand
of each. But you might as well have
invited us to your wedding"
Martha laughed and blushed; and then
my father and Mr.. Jonathan offered their
warm congratulations to the happy bride
and bridegroom.
"And are you still at the Corinthian,
Josiah ?" 1 inquired.
mo-" he answered; Martha has per-
suaded me to relinquish public life, and
her father has procured for me an APP
pointment upon the railway as a porter"
A little time afterwards. Martha came
to me with a radiant countenance. Only
think she said; that dear, good Mr..
Jonathan is going to set us up in busi-
ness for your sake And. Master Sllas,
what did 1 use to say when you made
such a fuss about the little 1 could dc
for you-didn't tell you you would be
rich some day, and what fine things you
would do for me?"
"But 1 am not rich, my good Martha,
| 7 &c ~ I xxyhn We
done this for you"
"Oh, but it's all the same, SIR" she
said, with a very sly look.
Presently my father Martha, and Jo
siah went into the house. But Mr.
Jonathan remained behind, and taking
my arm, strolled with me across the
lawn.
"Silas, my lad" he Said, IN a kind
voice. 'the sight of that happy couple
has set me thinking upon subject
have long had in my hearth Although
have never mentioned it, I know al
about you and Clara. Mrs. Wilson told
me what she knew, and I have picked W
the rest here and there. l have waited
however, until now. In the first place
wished to know you better, to judg,
of your disposition; and, in the SECOND
place, although the ties that bound yol
to that unhappy woman were Of thu
weakest, yet, after the dreadful circum
stances that attended her death, we wer
compelled in decency to allow a certain
time to elapse before the subject Of low
and marriage could be preached"
"Ah. sir" answered mournfully
"Clara has ceased to love me. She will
never forgive the wicked weakness o
my conduct in gaining her love Will
another claimed me as her husband"
at was very culpable," answered MI
Jonathan, gravely; "and in any othe
person l could never have pardoned it
but your life, my poor boy. has been s.
exceptional, that it would be hard t
Judge you by the rules of every-da
life"
"And you forgive me-. darlingT
whispered as l held Clara in my arms.
81 was never angry with you" sh
answered, softly 81 only felt sad. an
! that l wished to die"
She was mine-mine at last! Nothin
could stand between us now save death
} Oh, the bliss, the rapture of that me
ment!
I am lying at her feet with my hea
resting against her, and my face upturr
ed towards hers, as I used to in the oil
days. The cool air of the soft summer
night, laden with the perfume Of the clus
tering roses, steals through the open la
, tice. There is no light save that Q
the moon, that streams through the wiz
= dow, chequering the floor with the shat
ows of the overhanging leaves. On
broad beam glances over my darling
head, making her golden hair glisten lik
threads Of gold, and falls full upon tn
portrait of her mother that hangs benin
t her. She is trnnslating the rhapsodie