Year: 1873

Harry anQ Nelll6 came 10 Ille WeuuiliS' al
matter of course, they. brought my deal
little namesake with them. She was wonder
fully improved since last saw her, and wa
one of the loveliest children ever beheld
1t relieved the tedium of my sick room, very
much, to have her with me, and she was st
good and quiet, that I could keep her fol
hours without her disturbing me.


Mary was happier and brighter than hae
ever known her. The devotion between Johr
and herself was really pleasing. Whenever
I looked at them, the words Of the poet flash
ed through my mind


"Es home she enters, there to be light,
Shining within when all without is night;
A guardian angel, DER his life presiding, :,


knew there was not the slightest cause o.
misunderstanding between them; and on thi
perfect confidence, built my hopes that any
scandal which Henrietta Lewis might circu
late would not injure them, or cause them un
happiness.


The future proved how much had over
rated that confidence, and under-rated Henri
ettas capacity for evil.


The wedding day was bright and fair, and
it made me feel young again, to see Nellie
and Mary in their bridal attire. They both
wore, white, and though say it, who should
not" I feel sure there we're no young bellies
there who could compare, in point OF beauty
with the two "matrons" from Elmwood
Nellie was full of life and spirit. While they
were standing in my room, undergoing an in
spection, she said


"Now, Mary, I warn you, if Henrietta Lew
is tries to come the atfectionate' over me, ]
shall certainly put stop to it. You and Mat
tie may let her think she is humbugging you
to her hearts content. attend this wedding
solely out of compliment to Harry and your
self. Your cousin is to be married, and there
fore am present; but as for the bride
hope, most sincerely, that cousin Richard may
take her to some remote corner of the globe
and may never see her again"


"Hush Nellie" saidI. "You know she il
to be your neighbor, now, and you must try
and cultivate friendly feeling toward her"


81 should like to oblige you, Matte; bu'
unfortunately, friendly feeling though cult
waited to the utmost, will never grow on this
natures barren soil.' dislike her most cor
daily, and there is no love lost between US
But you have not said one word yet about
our dresses. How do you think Johns wife
looks on this occasion ?"


"You both look better than I ever saw you
Nell; now be satisfied with this, for l am moi
going to pay you another compliment.
leave such speeches for your cousin Hen
rietta.'"


"Yes, she will tell US we are charming,
lovely and such dear creatures, before We
have been there half an hour. I am going tc
agree to every thing she says, just by way Of
variety, you know. But here are our lords
and masters so must say good night"


AS Mary bent over to kiss me, she whisper
ed


81 think I will tell John about those letters
tonight"


."Yes, darling, I wish you would. Come tc
see me early in the morning, and let me hear
how the wedding went off,


Aunt Patsy generally spent her evenings in
my room. was too weak to walk up and
down stairs, so they had fitted up the library
which adjoined the room, as my chamber, and
we were together almost all the time.


Dear old lady I think I see her now with
her plain muslin cap, its crimped border fit
ting closely around her pale face. There has
always been, to me, something inexpressibly
touching in the helplessness of old age. The
infant has never known strength, and the
sight of its weakness brings with it nothing Of
regret; but to feel strength and energy fail
ing, until left, indeed, "as little child" must
be a trial, the force of which only those who
have experienced it can know. suppose
it was but natural that matrimony should
be the subject of our conversation that even
ing. lido not know what induced me to say


"Aunty, were you ever engaged to be mar
ried ?"


"Yes, child"


"What broke off the engagement"


"You might guess all night, Matte, and
you would never guess right" said the old
lady, her eyes fairly sparkling with mischief


"Was it want of money!" I suggested.


"No."


"Disapprobation of your friends?'


"No."


"Incompatibility of temper?"


"No," she answered, smiling.


"Then cannot imagine wkat it was.


81 knew you would never guess" said she
triumphantly; snow I will tell you. 1t was
all caused by little piece Of blue ribbon
not larger than your hand"


"a piece of blue ribbon !' 1 repeated ir
astonishment.


"Yes You see was wild, giddy girl in
my time, and could not bear to be controlled
by any one. Now, your mother was different
She always did what she was told, and seemed
to have been put in this world for the express
purpose of being taken care Of
"But to 60 on with my story. John liver
son was the name of the man to whom l wa.
engaged. He was just as hard to manage as
was, and every one predicted there would be
Aare-up soon. Sure enough there was.
had always kept this piece of blue ribbon il
my hymn-book, as mark, and John asked
me to give it to him. Isuppose it was just tt
be aggravating, and to see how far could 60
that l told him had promised it to some one
else. That was enough for John! Of all the