The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-02-27
Don't Propose in the Dark
BY MISS MITE ORD
Concluded.

Some of the gossips Of Aberleigh used to
assert that James signing over the flowers as
well rs the early steadiness Of her character
arose from an engagement with nv lords
head gardner, an intelligent, sedate and So
Der young Scotchman. OF this | know
nothing Certain it is that the prettiest and
newest plants were 10 be found in James
little flower border. And if Mr.. Archibald
Mac.ane did some times come to look after
them, do not see that it was any business Of
any body.
In the meantime, a visitor Of different
description arrived at the farm. cousin of
Mrs. Evans had been as successful in trade
as her husband had Ia agriculture, and he
had now sent his only son to become acauaint-
ed with his relations, and to spend some
weeks in their family
Charles Foster was very fine Young man.
whose father was neither more nor less than
a linen draper in a great town but whose
manners, education, mind and character.
might have done honor to O far higher sta
ton. lie was, in a word, one Of natures
gentlemen, and in nothing did he more thor
oughly show his own taste and good breed
lng, than by entering entirely into the home
ly ways and old fashioned habits of his eoun-
try cousins. lie was delighted with the sim
phclty, trugallty and industry which blended
we'll with the sterling goodness and genuine
prudence Of the great English farm house
Inc women especially pleased him very
much. They formed strong contrast with
any thing he had met with before No fnerv
no coquetry-no French-no piano! Ii Is
impossible 10 describe the sensation Of re-
lief and comfort with which Charles Foster.
sick Of musical misses, ascertained that the
K4I., Ia a MOI, az a
ment, except the basaoon on which George
Evans was wont, every Sunday at church.
to excruciate the ears Of the whole congre-
cation.
He liked both sisters James softness
and considerateness engaged his full esteem.
but Patty's innocent playfulness suited best
With his own high spirits aud animated con-
versatlon He had known them apart. from
the first and indeed denied that the likeness
was at all pulling, or more than is usual
between sisters; and secretly thought Patty
as much prettler than her sister, as she was
ayowediy merrler. La doors and out, he
was constantly by her side, and before he
had been month In the house all the in
mates had given Mr.. Charles Foster over a,
lover OF his young cousin and she, when
rallied on the subject, cried fe and pish
anu pshaw and wondered how people could
talk such nonsense-and liked to have such
nonsense talked to her, better than anything
IN the world
Affairs were at this state when one night
Jane appeared even graver and still more
thoughtful than usual, and far, far sadder.
She sighed deeply, and Pattv-for the two
sisters shared the same little room-in-
CURED tenderly, what allied her? The in
curry seemed to make Jane worse. She
burst into tears, whilst Patty hung over her
and soothed her. At length she reused her
sell by strong effort, and, turning away
from her aifectionate comforter, she said in
a low tone
have very great vexation tonight,
Patty, Charles Foster has asked me to marry
him y
Charles Foster did you say Charles
osterp' asked poor Patty, trembling, I'M
willing even to trust her own senses against
the evidences of her heart. stCharles Fos-
ter y
Yes, our cousin.''
"And you have accepted him ~ inquired
Patty, IN hoarse voice.
sob, no-no-no Do you think have
forgotten poor Archibald! Besides | am
not the person he should have asked to mar
ry him; false aud heartless as he is, | would
not be his wife-cruel, unfeeling, unman%y
as his condGct has been No! not if he
would make me Queen Of England~
: You refused him then ~
" No, father met us suddenly, just as was
recovering from the surprise and Indignation
That at hrst struck me dumb. But | shall
refuse him most certanly--the false, deceit
ful, ungrnteful villain
" Poor father lie will be disappointed.
So viii mother"
They Will By both disappointed and angry