Year: 1874

world, and her home the most delightful
spot. And Mrs. Rand had no cause for
farther lamentations over the young girls
paleness and want of spirits the roses had
returned to her cheeks, and her gayety and
sportiveness amused and delighted her
warm hearted aunt


"The DEAR young thing p she would say
to herself, as she saw the lovers so happy
in each other, "she is just the wife for
Harrison Ardley, and his wife she shall be,
all her fathers prejudices to the contrary,
notwithstanding.


So the summer glided by, and from time
to time Mrs. Rand sent good reports to the
parents respecting their daughter, which
reconciled them to her absence, and caused
Mr.. Stanwood to pride himself greatly on
the wisdom of the course he had pursued.
Il


Early in September came long letter to
Mr.. Stanwood from his sister, 1t informed
him that mutual attachment existed be-
tween his daughter and young gentleman
whom the writer had known from his in
fancy, and whom even she considered
worthy to be the husband of her lovely
niece, sin short, they are meant for each
other" the letter went on, "and l am
quite certain their union will be happy
one. You see l am counting on your con-
sent, as a matter of course, for know if
you searched the States all through, you
could not find a more unexceptionable
match for Ella. My adopted son, Harrison,
is very fine young man in every respect,
talented, an important qualification with
us New Englanders, you know,) and he
comes Of an old family, too, being related
to the Harrisons of county. / have
long intended to make him my heir
though, for that matter he has wealth
enough Of his own, still have taken a
fancy to leave what property possess to
one who will make good use of it, and it re-
joices me to think, that with your consent,
my two favorites--for Ella has become
very, very dear to me--will share my world
ly goods" Mrs. Rand closed her letter of
three pages, by requesting that the mar
riage might take place at her house, and
that the parents would designate suitable
day for the ceremony, and come to assist
thereat


Mr.; Stanwood unused long time over
this letter, read it through once more very
deliberately, and then summoned his wife
to the library. Mrs. Stanwood perused the
letter. and returned it, simply asking if
he intended to accede to his sisters prop
ositions.


az do" was the emphatic rejoinder.-
"Having considered the subject carefully,
in all its bearings, consider that we may
deem it very fortunate that our daughter
has fixed her mind on one whom we can
approve; for, have such perfect conf
dence in Amelia's Judgment, that l be-
lieve the gentleman whom she regards SO
highly will merit my full appreciation"


"But Ella is so young" demonstrated
the mother, "and besides she should be
married at home"


We would prefer to have it SO, GER
tainly, my dear buHAmelia is so desirous
to have the marriage take place beneath
her roof that / should really be loath to
deny her. And again, it would be very
impolitic to run the risk of displeasing her.
l should not wish her property, which is
quite valuable, to be lost to the family, on
every account, therefore, it is the wisest
course to yield to her desires you can
give as large party as you please, in hon
or of Elias nuptials, on our return home"


And Mr.. Stanwood, having thus decided
the matter, penned an appropriate letter to
his sister, appointing the 3rd of October,
Elias birthday, for the wedding.


On the evening previous to the appoint
ed day, the parents reached the farm. house,
according to promise to that effect. Mrs.
Rand took care to have the young people
out of the way on their arrival, and having
conducted Mrs. Stanwood to her apartment
to dress for the evening, she began to ex-
patiate very pathetically to her brother, on
his daughters unhappiness and detection
on her first coming to the homestead. In
reply, bir. Stanwood told of her ridiculous
penchant for her drawing g-master, winding
up with, "a young fellow without any
conceivable claim to aspire to the hand of
child of mine--a mere nobody, sister
Amelia. really felt sorry for little Ella,
but the thing was too absurd to be allow
ed to go on. would never sanction such
folly"


"NOt even if your opposition had con
signed her to an early grave9" inquired
his sister, very solemnly.


"oh, there was no danger of that" and
the gentleman smiled, carelessly sin our