The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-07-14
5rlrrttA Gnlts.
From The Boston Olile Branch.
CARRIE LANGLY'S CHOICE
A LEAP YEAR STORY.
CHAPTER I.
BY MARY MAY.

=
One bright evening in the beginning of
y certain leap year, (not This, dear reader,)
q young man made his exit from gen
teel looking house in P street, and
as the door closed upon him he gazcd up
to the mansion with peculiarly signif-
cant air as he muttcred to himself
" Not another month shall pass over my
head before know whether am to be
master of this goodly. estate or not; but"
added he, MS he walked away, Il need
have no fears upon the subject, for have
nc rival, unless that upStart Of II fellow,
Woods, considers himselfas such. Pshaw !!
l need not fear his rvalry,"-and a super
ciious smile lurkcd under his glossy nous
taclle. Ii that contounded aunt was not
alwa! ssticking herself in the way, ! should
soon succeed"
Leaving him him to his mcditations,w
will return to the house which he has Just
left; we will enter the richly furnished par
lor, whose only occupant is young lady
dressed in half mourning; she is sitting
upon an ottoman, her arm leaning rpon
table, her hand supporting her head,
whilst she seems buried in thought. Ma
king ourself a 81 fly in the corner" we will
listenao her soloquy. ..... ..... ...
Surely Gustave is very handsome
what rich complexion he has, and such
splendid black eyes-why, they, nearly
dazzle my own, and then such magnificent
whiskers; and what love of moustache
too-l am sure all the young men must
envy him-then his manners are so grace
ful, so unembarrassed, and his voice so soft
that am. perfectly fascinated in his pre-
sence, and / really think il he had propo-
sed To me tonight, should have accept
ell. almost know he intended to once,
when aunt Mary's sudden entrance spoil
ed the whole. do believe she dislikes
Gustaye, though for what reason cannot
; imagine. / begin to think il is not dcci-
dent that brings her into the room every
time gentleman calls to see me, and as for
my going out with them whenever invi-
ted, unless she accompanies me also, why
that is entirely out Of the question, for
somehow she seems to anticipate all my
movements. and is most annoyingly ON
nipresent TO me at least. did think that
when became Of age, and came in pos
session Of my property that should be at
liberty to act as pleased, and not always
be under the espionage Of an old-maid
aunt, butshere I've been eighteen these
three months, and she is mo,e arbitrary
than ever. That's just the way with old
maids who never in all their fife had a
beau; they cannot endure that any body
else should hayea man look at them
It's great business, truly, ahat Lcannot be
mistress in my own house sometimes =
Only TO think, she utterly forbade my Ia.
king sleigh-ride with Gustave the othel
day, and then She Is always forcing tha,
Gat-headed adopted son of fhers in my way
and forever dwelling upon his virtues ; but
/ strongly suspect she Is the only person
who ever discovered them. I'm sure hs
hasn't wit enough TO know when the girl:
are poking fun at him, and Is etenally
making 1iaskass Of Himself" '
Here the fly in the corner perceivei
sudden ray II light cross the fair girP'
face, and elenefEhg her su,all white hapdl
she exclaims,
"Ihaye il, Aunt Mary wants To max,
match between her adopted and myself
that is why she is afraid Of all my gentle
nsn acquaintanccs and Is 40 nncivii u
than that they scarcely vint me hoN', bu
: she need not think tolsucceed, for neyel
win have sneh silly d Il as Ned Ray
I'D dope wifh q ~gssase.ssa aahss man