Year: 1873

About four weeks before our wedding,
Owen and myself were taking ride on horse
back. We had been some distance, and were
on our way home when, as we were passing
through the woods about mile from the
house. we saw man riding in front Of us.
He kept so near that Owen said


"Come, Matte, let US ride on"


"Very WE'LL" said I but on whipping up
our horses, the man did the same, and then
continued to ride in front.


"Confound his impudence" said Owen,
impatiently. "Ifyou were not with me, Mat
tie, would like to give that fellow thrash
ing"


"Never mind the man, Owen; we are near
home now. I do not suppose he intends to
be impertinent. Have you decided on going
to Columbia tomorrow"


II ought to go; but it is so difficult for me
to tear myself away. I feel as if no one else
can take as good care of you as I can"


"But I should think the past would make
you more trustful for the future. 1 am sure
I have taken very good care of myself for the
last thirteen years"


IL do not know about that. You certainly
did not show your good keeping the first
time saw you after my return. Doyou re-
member that day."


"Ah Owen how can I ever forget it? |
shall never be as willing to die as thought l
was then"


"But you were not, really, for you never
said word about dying, after you took that
nap. 1 shall always remember how happy
and peaceful you looked, as you lay there
asleep, with your hand in mind. I could not
have given you up then"


"Do you intend 10 say you could do it bet
ter now p asked smiling


mo, Matte; God knows it would be like
parting with my very life but do not let US
talk about it. Have you decided yet upon
the happy day?"


"Yes the twenty-6fth of next mouth-just
four weeks from to-day"


81 think, then, I had better remain in Co.
lumbia longer than intended, that we may
have more time to remain at Elmwood when
we return from our wedding tour"


"How long will you be absent?"


"Three weeks, think, now; but l may be
with you before"


"Three weeks! How I shall miss you 1t
is so much harder for me to be separated from
you now, than it was when you first left me!
l have never realized how dear you were to
me, until now. Can not you defer your visit
to Columbia until after we are married p


"And have no home ready for my dear little
wife ?"


"But would rather wait for the home,
than that you should leave ME. l am begin
ming to have a presentiment about your
going-something will surely happen


eyes, I hope so. 1 am going to select a
house then furnish it; then am going to
be installed as professor at the College. Is
that enough to satisfy you, or would you Hike
something more"


"That is enough, thank you. I think you
will be very busy for the next three weeks
But see our friend has stopped, as if to let us
pass him.


The man had reined up his horse, and was
standing just where the road turned off TO,
ward Elmwood. There was not much room
for passing, so that Owen was little in front
of me. As I followed on, 1 glanced at the
man, who, to my great surprise, took off his
hat and bowed.


His face was familiar, but I could not re.
member where I had seen it before. / was puz
zling my brain to find out, when Owen said


"What is the matter, darling? If you
look so down.hearted as that can never
make up my mind to leave you"


"There is nothing the matter" replied
trying to speak cheerful; II was only think
ing"


"Then your thoughts must have been very
annoying, Matte; never saw more alb.
stracted look than was on your face when
spoke"


81 WAS trying to remember where I had
seen that man who passed u.s. | kno'O | have
seen him somewhere"


"suppose you have is that sufficient cause
to be looking sad, the last evening l can spend
with you, for three long weeks?"


"No; and l am not going to think of him
again"


As we entered the Elmwood gates, l said


81 have never thanked you, Owen, for act
ing as you did about giving up this place. II
is such comfort for me to know we thought
alike about il"