Year: 1874

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that had saved me from death, and to
watch for the brown eyes as for the
coming of sunshine.


But l had one annoyance, very
great one then, and it was the minis
ter himself. What cared for his
grave scientific discourses? l only
laughed at his SMILES and metaphors {:
but still he followed me; and so, at
last, I came to the conclusion that he
finally intended doing me the honor of
making me Mrs. Bacon, and mistress
of his pastoral flock. May lntlmatea
as much to me, one afternoon, as we
were dressing for dinner She had
just tied my hair back with knot OF
blae ribbon, and was standing off to
view the OBJECT


'Lou Brooks, what splendid min
ister's wife you would make | would not
know which to envy most-the minis
ter or the congregation"


l considered a moment in silence.


"The Rev. Mrs. DR.. Bacon" ] re-
peated. "Well, it would not sound
so very badly


"No; and you will make splendid
hand at copying sermons, and deliver
ing them, too; and by and by you
will give up frizzles and trails, and
take to spectacles and prayer books
and meditation, and begin to look
owlish and solemn, like the tomb.
stones"


said nothing and | mentally con
cluded that if the minister got me, she
might have the reporter.


Well, much as we regretted it, our
stay was drawing to close, and we had
both received ominous looking epistles
from pater families, summoning us
from our quiet retreat back into the
busy world. Mr.. Bacon had been
more than usually attentive lately, al
: though l had rather avoided him than
otherwise; but Mr.. Partridge divid-
ed his attentions so equally between
May and myself that I was piqued
although of course I had too much
pride to let them know it.


Wednesday was the day appointed
for our departure, and Tuesday morn
ing, as we were packing our trunks
and taking a last look as we laid arti
Gle after article away, a servant hand
ed me note, scented with some soft
suggestive perfume, and bearing my
name, written in bold, manly hand
I opened it quickly, as May, looking
up, caught the superscription, and
found it to be an invitation from Mr.
Partridge for "myself and my friend
to ride on this the last day ofour stay
so the note ran. Of course I did not
hesitate, but, going to my desk, wrote
a neatly worded exceptance on tinteC
paper, in my choicest handwriting
and dispatched it to its destination
while May continued her work with s
comical look in her eye which did
not understand then; but have since
to my sorrow, received enlightenment.


True is the old adage that "there
is many slip between the cup anc
lip" When the noontide came, it found
May in bed with one of her old split
ing headaches. Of course she declared
she could not ride, and begged me tc
make her excuses, which l gladly
promised to do for it was only head
ache, after ALL you know, and I would
have the drive and driverall to myself
and none but two knew of the pretty
nothings he had whispered in my eal
the last evening, out i'll the tender
moonlight, as we walked together fal
from the sound of human voices, and
of the tender manner in which he
drew my shawl closer around my
shoulders for fear of the chill night
air, and of the close grasp of the hand
as we parted at the door. To be sure
wisdom whispered that he was flrt,
and that he had gone through the
same performance before with May
but needed not the voice. for | was
young and blind in those days.


l bathed Mays head with cologne,
and saw that she was comfortable, be-
fore l began to prepare my own toilet


"What shall l put on?" l asked
more to myself than to May, who did
not look halfso disappointed at her
illness as had expected. "The Grape
or this ~ held soft gray silk be
fore her, which she viewed with look
of appreciation.


"Wear that with the pearl set, SHE
suggested, after some deliberation
s'and you will be complete. Oh, BY
j tho u.a.. Mr Rannn ,aauactad M.