Year: 1861

fell from her nose, and the fall rendered
them useless forever.


"Oh, what shall do?" cried the maid
en- lady, her joy suddenly turning to grief
as she saw the fragmenta Of the glass
glistening on the floor. "How careless |
was. But never mind, shall not want
them till after I'm married. and can get
enough more where these came from, and
shall not be afraid TO use them neither
Harry shan't wait a moment for me, for
1'll be on hand before nine. Won't old
Betsy Hale feel cheap to think that have
succeeded, and she is as far from it as
ever? But let me see what Pvc got fit to
wear on this momentous occasion"


"Ah, Miss Miranda Jane, you have for
gotten the old saying of never crow un
til you are out Of the woods and You
will find it true saying this time I'll
bet, again muttered the maid Sally Ann
as she left her post at.the key-hole and
stole down stairs.


In the kitchen she found Harry Hall in
rather too close companionship with Ma
ry Lowell for man that was about to
wed another, but it didn't at all seem to
surprise her.


"Well, Sally Ann, what did the old
she bear think of her letter." asked Harry
rising and taking his hat as if about to
go.


"Oh, she's tickled most out Of her wits,
Mr.. Harry; and she says she will be there
( before nine"


Glow do you know? Did she tell you
SOP


"No, but overheard her say so. talk
ing to herself"


'"TiS too bad, Harry, to deceive aunt
so. Hadn't we better give it up?"


"No; it will serve her just right 70,
keeping so strict guard over you. But
must be gone. Good bye" and he dis
appeared through the doorway just as the
foot Of Miss Miranda Jane sounded on the
stairs


That day at dinner the maiden lady was
so pre- occupied that she made hosts Of
blunders. She sweetened her tea with
salt, and mistook the gravy tureen for the
cream pitcher. She placed the napkin
in her pocket, mistaking it for her han
kerchief, and asked Sally Ann if there
was warm heart to be had at the butch
er's, as she wanted one for the next days
dinner, which SO pleased the maid that
she burst out laughing, and ran from the
room, despite the wrath she knew she
would make by her conduct. But her
mistress was pleased to pass it over, all
unmindful Of her mistake, and Mary
managed to keep her countenance. by
great exertions, during the rest of the
meal.


AT the tea table her excitement was un-
doubtedly on the increase, aud her blum
ders were full as laughable as those OF
the previous meal. AS she rose from the
table she remarked that she had a pain in
her head, and that she would Immediate
ly retire.


Il promised the widow Jones that
would call on her this evening, aunt, but
if You are sick will stay at home," OBJ
served Mary, with an apparent look Of
compassion.


80, by no means; it will be beautiful
evening, and you had better CO." replied
the spinster, glad for once in her life to
get her niece out of the house.


"But You will be left alone, aunt, as
Sally Ann is going home to see her moth
er tonight"


80, never mind that. shall get along
just as well without you, as l am not
afraid to be left alone. Go by all means


"Just as you say, aunt; but l'll be
back before nine, as You never want me
to be absent after that hour in the even
ing.


"You needn't hurry, as there will be a
good moon," replied Miranda Jane, as
she assembled the stairs.


"She is wonderfully willing for me to
go tonight, which is new trait in her
character. Heigho! she little thinks tina;
| know what she is up to. But now to
deceive her about our going"


An half hour later Miranda Jane saw
from her window Mary Lowell and her
maid emerge from the house and &c
down the street until they were lost from
sight round the corner. But as soon as
they were out of range of observation
they crossed over to back street, and ten
minutes later stood within their own
kitchen. Without sound above whis
per, they ensconsed themselves in the
meal closet, to await the movements O.
the spinster.


They had not long to wait. for soon
Miranda Jane, dressed entirely in white
passed through the room and out of the
back door, Leaving the girls shaking
,, with small tornado Of laughter, we vii
follow her.


1t was full half mile from her resi-
dence to the designated place of meeting
the great rock in the sheep pasture of Bill
Brown, and directly away from the VII
lage, and close by Deacon Shaw's swamp,
through the edge of which she must pass
ere she reached the place Of meeting
At any other time Miranda Jane would
not have ventured for the world that dis
tance away from the village alone; bu
love made her strong and courageous, 81
she set boldly out.


Down the lane back of the house, tax
ing care to go in the shadow of the trees
for the moon was shining brightly, wen
the ancient maiden. At the foot of TIN
, lane was a pair of bars made of poles, anC
in letting them down so as to pass
: through she made horrid racket, anC
fearing that some one might have hearC
1