Ida grew lovelier as she grew older, and her rare
beauty caused her to be sought after. If she does not marry well and
happily, it will not be for want of an opportunity.
Dear reader, you who deem that all stories should end with a
marriage, shall not be disappointed.
One day Aunt Rachel was missing from her room. It was remembered
that she had appeared singularly for some days previous, and the
knowledge of her constitutional low spirits, led to the apprehension
that she had made way with herself. The cooper was about to notify
the police, when the front door opened and Rachel walked in. She was
accompanied by a short man, stout and freckled.
"Why, Aunt Rachel," exclaimed Mrs. Crump, "where _have_ you been? We
have been so anxious about you."
A faint flush came to Aunt Rachel's sallow cheek.
"Sister Mary," said she, "you will be surprised, perhaps, but--but
this is my consort. Mr. Smith, let me introduce you to my sister."
"Then you are married, Rachel," said Mrs. Crump, quite confounded.
"Yes," said Rachel; "I--I don't expect to live long, and it won't
make much difference."
"I congratulate you, _Mrs. Smith_," said Mary Crump, heartily; "and
I wish you a long and happy life, I am sure."
It is observed that, since her marriage, Aunt Rachel's fits of
depression are less numerous than before.
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