Year: 1860

ready, and they returned to the house. On en-
terinS the parlor they found Miller alone, read
ing a newspaper


Mr. Wider looked vexed.


hat all alone, Mr. Miller?' said Will
oer; shouldn't have staid so long, but I
back %" e


Miss Debby had some engagement that re-
CURED her attention, said Miller. land asked
TO be excused; but | have found myself quite
interested in the newspaper"


" ilder went out and met his wife in the hall.
ana asked her how long it had been since Deb
by lett Nj Miller alone in the parlor


She left in threo minutes after you went
out said Mrs. Wilder, '.nnd l couldn't per
Suade her to go back again. She said she
knew You went out on purpose to leave her and
henry alone together, and she would not stay
IL $ no use, William, these things always have
their own way, and it's 10 use trying TO pre-
vent it"


The supper passed off rather silently and
rather wkwardly. Mr., Wilder endcavored to
bo soriable and polite to Miller. and Mrs vii
der, as usual, was mild and complacent TO all.
hut an AIR OF embarrassment peryadcd the
wn4ie company, and when they rose from the
table Henry Miller asked to be excused. snd
said ~ was time for him to return homewards
MI Wilder endeayored to persuade him to stop
and spend the evening, but Henry was decided


=
ny and Joseph returned to the parlor. where
tney were Joined part of the evening by Mrs
Wider; but Wilder, after walking up and down
the dlnlng-rOOm for an hour or two, retired to
oed, not, however. to sleep. His mind was too
much engrossed with the destiny of Debby to
allow repose. He counted the hours as they
were told by the clock till it had struck twelve.
Mrs. W. had been two hours asleep. still he
had not heard Joseph 90 out After while
tne clock struck one, and in few minutes
after that he heard the outer door rather softly
opened and closed; and then heard Debby
tripping lightly to her chamber.


" All, thought Wilder to himself, " it is as
my Wlfe says, these things will have their own
way. This staying till one O'Clock looks like
rather serious business


The next day Debby had a long private in
tervlew with her mother, and after dinner Mrs
wider wished TO have some conversation with
her husband in the parlor.


Yell, my DEAR said she, "Debby and
Joseph are bent upon being married. 1t seems
that tney made VI their minds to it some
months ago, and now they have fixed upon the
time. They say they must be married week
after next. Now think we had better fall in
with 1t with as good feelings as we can. and
make the best of it. Thee we'll knows have
always said these things will have their own
way, and when young folks get their minds
made up, | don't think it is good plan to in





spectacle, and good to work, think we ought
to feel contented about it, although he is poor.
1t seems to me that there are az many folks
that marry poor that make out as well in the
world as there are that marry rich"


After little reflection upon the matter,
Wilder came to the conclusion that his wife
had nearly the right of it, and told her he
would make no farther opposition to the match;
they might get married as soon they chose


W. Gil, my dear, y said Mrs. Wilder, :" Deb
Dy needs little change to get some things with
this week, In order to get married"


- How much will she want this week o'' said
Mr.. Wilder


dollars, said Mrs Wilder, u think it would
do for the present.


Nell now, I've no money by me, said Mr..
Wilder, except hundred dollar bill and
II Impossible to get that changed except by
sending to the bank, distance of ten miles
tried all over the eighborhOod last week to
get 1t changed, but couldn't succeed shall
be too busy to go myself Tomorrow, but if
Debby has mind to get on the old horse in
the morning, and take the bill to the bank and
get 1t changed. she may have some of the
money


This proposition was soon reported to Debby.
VII" said :. she had just as leave take the ride
as not The matter being thus amicahly ar
ranged with Mr.. Wilder there was nothing to





patch In making preparations for the wedding
Debby was in excellent spirits. and Mr. Wilder
was In unusual good humOr towards Debby
Having brought his mind to assent to the ar
rangenent which he had so strongly opposed.
his feelings were in state of reaction, which
caused him to regard Debby with uncommon
tenderness.


The next morning the old gray horse was
standing at the door eating provender full two
hours before Debby was ready to start; and
MI W llder had been out half dozen times to
examine the saddle and bride. to see that
everything was right. and had lifted up his
morse feet one after another, all around to
see II any of the shoes were loose And when
M last Debby was ready. he LED old gray TO the
horse block, and held him until she was seated
In the saddle. and then he handed her the bri-
die, and shortened the stirrup leather. and
hue kied the girth little tighter to prevent the
saddles turning, and when he had seen that
all was right. he stepped into the house and
brought out email riding whip and placed it
In her hand, and giving her a hundred charges
t. take care of herself. and be careful she did
Not get fall, he stepped up on the horse block
and stood and watched her MS she turned into
the road and aScended the hill till she was ont
O.,Sight


Dehhy tr"tted along ieisurely over the long
road she had To travel, but she was too full Of
pleasant thoughts and bright authorizations To-
iOei weary at the distance or lonely at the SOli-
tude The road was but little travelled. and
she met but two persons in the whole distance:
one as she was ascending a hill about mile
from home, and the other long valley of dark
woods. about midway on her journey. Had
s,, she been OF tmid disposition, She would have
ielt good deal of uneaSiness when she saw This
last person approaching her. His appearance
was dark and ruthanly, and they were two
miles from any house, in the midst of deem
anu silent wilderness. But Debby's nerves were
u,nmoVed; she returned his bow in passino and
hePt on her way in perfect composure.
one reached the end of her journey in dre
! umeIhitched her horse in the Shed at the vii.
iage motel, and inquired of the waiter nt The
uoo, lne way to the bank. As he was POINTING
out TO her 1t location, she observed a taIj ALE
looking man, with dark whiskers and haarX
eyebrows, looking stesdily at her. Sba bowy
ever, turned away without noticing him sny
farther and went direct to the bank Wban
She reached the door she found it closed aUd
learned from the bystanders that the b.nt
from some reason or other, was closed thu, In
In her exceeding disappointment, She stnSd
siient Tor some time uncertain what She should
do. 'no should


lis there anything can do for you M;ss,,,
said gentleman at the adjoining shoon doc,


Debby renlied that sha Nooi