Year: 1865




He paused, and as il was getting late |
came away WhenI got home found some
nelghbors at our honse, so went TO bed,
merely saying TO Ellen that all was right
Early the next morning | was awakened by
her calling me from the foot OF the stairs


james James! hurTy-quick-come
down The flag is up =


| needed no second call, but was dressed
and down by the lake, where found father,
who had haTnessed the horse to go to town
that morning but upon learning the state
OF affairs, be told me to get into the sleigh,
and We both started across the lake as fast
as the horse could go.


Upon arriving at the cabin we found him
stretched on the ground moaning with pain
He said he had broken his leg. After a
short examination, father said he believed
he had We took him up as carefully as
possible and laid him in his bunk, and then
father started after the doctor, leaving me
10 make fire and do whatever else | could
for the comfort OF the sufferer Father
stopped at the house long enough to tell
them what was the matter and then hurried
away.


In about two hours he returned with the
doctor. and as there was no necessity fer my
remaining longer, | came home To look af-
ter the morning chores. As soon as l. had
done these, and got my breakfast, L pre-
pared to return. Ellen wanted 10 20
hack with me but mother would not consent
The wind had been blowing all the morning
very hard, md as ge stood a moment at the
window looking out, We saw the flag break
loose and came slowly drifting before the
wind across the lake.


As we stood looking at it told them of
the flag, and the substitution Of a handkeT-
chief Ellen walked down 70 the ice with
me. The handkerchief had reached the
shore and lodged only few rods off, and she
went to get it, and | kept along, but had
gone bat a little ways when | herrd her call
me back. | FASTENED to her; she was hold
ing the dkerchiet-scarcey winter than
herself


Yes. that was it: he had told me that
morning-Henry " ilburn.


Thank God T. she said. as | told her this
''Vait | must 90 with you.


did not oppose her. She went into the
house and came quickly out again with her
IA asl ami hood, and we started About
half way across We met father and the doc
tor. He stopped to give me some directions
and then went on, Ellen stopped a few
rods from the door.


See here, James; have been acquaint-
ed with Henry Wilburn, and that if he Is
the one he must prepare himself for a very
greatsurprise.


went in and delivered the message.


"A lady-a great surprise [ guess not +?
[ think it would take considerable to sur
prise me now. But do not keep her waiting
longer


| stepped out and told her SO. ! somehow
got the impression that they would need 10
introduction, 50 | remained outside to split
some wood In about fifteen minutes |
I, 3.,- H.
bedside. She sprag up as [ opened the
door; tears We're on their faces. and hap
pier looking couple have never seen be
fore nor since.


James, said Mr.. Wilburn, Il suppose
you want an explanation. You have been
a good friend to me so you shall have It.
This Is the LADY was telling you about last
night 1t appears she wrote two letters at
the time. and by mistake in directing them
| got the one destined for my cousin, and he
got the one that was intended for me,


Possibly said Ellen, it was lost.


Possibly it was, hope 50, at any rate,
said Wilburn.


We'll. said Ellen, 1t has all passed now,
so let : say no more about 1t. 1t Will be
some time before you run away from me a
gain | think.


Yes. he replied, [ am fast enough now
and shall have to remain here longer than
[ intended: for after James left you | in
tened To write you letter Of thanks and
leave this place forevever; and only too
late would you have found out who it vas


An hour in pleasant converse passed quiet
ly by and father returned bringing mother
with him. After explaining TO them how
matters stood, Ellen called father and moth
er outside, and they had a long conference.
which ended by father getting into his sleigh
and driving of.


About the middle of the afternoon they
came back bringing the minister with them.
The cabin was about full, but we managed
to get in: and Mr. Wilson, after being IN
troduced, said


Mr.. Wilburn, it Is evident that you
must have some one TO take care of you un-
til your limb gets well this young lady is
willing to take that Office, and we see no OBJ
iectionS TO her doing so. But taking all
things into consideration, we think you had
better promise her before these witnesses,
that so long as you both live, you will do
your best to take care of her


I never in my life saw a man so complete
IL taken back At first he did not seem TO
understand what the minister meant; but
finally as he began to get hold-of the idea,
he looked up to Ellen, who was standing by
his side


Ellen. salO ne i bIli> possible


Tears of JOY were in her eyes /: he needed
no other answer The marriage ceremony
was performed. then mother produced
basket containing cakes and wine, and hap
pier wedding party | never met.


As soon as he was able to be removed
they returned to the city He said he had
come TO the conclusion that he was not In
tended for a hermit.





Cotton is arriving at Charleston from the
back country, and business Is fast assuming