Smyrna times., 1858-09-16

8
particular that nobody else should see it,"
The air of mystery conveyed in this charac
terlstlc address aroused Mrs. Benson's curiosity
especially when she observed that it was ad
dressed To her daughter, and not to herself q
she supposed. She returned to the pa rlor-no
to read the Magazine that had lost its attrac
tions.
What in the world can it be 2" she thought
q" that they should be so secret about it? Car
Florence be carrying Oh a clandestine cores
pondence 1t may be something that ough
to know
Stimulated by her feminine curiosity, Mrs
| Benson speedily concluded that she would bt
ialse to the responsibilities of a parent if she
did not unrOvel the mystery.
Here's pretty doing !" she exclaimed, as
soon as she could recover breath. :" So Florence
was going to run away and get married to that
Charles Markham, without SO much as limiting
word to me-"
She leaned her head upon her hand, and be-
gan TO consider. She was naturally led to think
OF her own marriage with the late Mr.. Benson,
and the happiness of her welded life, and she
could not help heavIng SIGH at the recollec-
ton.
"Am | always to remain thus solitary Z" She
thought. "lvc half mind not to show the
letter to Florence, but to run away with Charles
Tomorrow night OH my own account It's odd
II cant persuade him that the mother amt as
good as the daughter; ;" and she glanced COM
placen'ly at the still attractive face aud form
reflected from the mirror.
Just then she heard The door open and Flo
renee entered. She quickly crumpled up the
letter, and thrust 1t into her pocket Florence
and Charles did not meet during the succeed.
ing day, chiefly in pursuance of the plan they
agreed to. in order to avoid suspicion
Squire Markham acted in an exceed dinghy
strange manner, TO his sons thinking. Occa-
SIonally he would burst into hearty laugh,
which he would endeavor to suppress, and pac
up and down the room, as if 10 walk off some
o! his superabundant hilariiy.
What's in the wind !" thought Charles TO
himself 1t can't be the Governors getting
crazy" Something was the matter, hey ond a
doubt. But what it really was, he had not the
faintest conjecture.
AT the hour specified, the Squire had his
carriage drawn up at tire appointed rendezvous
lie began to peer anxiously in the dark for Flor.
ence. AT length female form, well muffled
up, made its appearance. Thanking her in a
very low whisper, lest it might be suspected
that he was the wrong person, he helped her
into the carriage, and drove Off
During part of the journey, nothing was sal id.
Both parties were deslrous Of cOncealing their
identity. At length. Squire Markham consd-
erlng that after all he could not marry the lady
without her consent, and that the discovery
must be made before marriage, decided to re-
veal himself, and then urge his own suit as well
as he might.
"My dear Miss Florence" he continued, in
his natural voice.
"Why!' sbrieked the lady. " thought il was
Charles"
"And l." said Squire Markham, recognising
Mrs. Benson's voice, "tnought it was Flor
cnce."
Was it you, sir, who was arranging to oope
with my daughter -
"No, but conclude it was you, ma am, who
was meaning TO elope with my SON.
Indeed, Squire Markham, you are wrong
the affair coming incidentally to my knowledge,
| concluded to take her place secretly, in order
to Illustrate her plans.'
"Egad! the very idea | had myself" said
the Squire laughing " but the fact is, ma am,
we've both of us been confoundedly sold, and
the mischief of it is, have lett a letter for
Charles, letting him know it; so undoubtedly
he will take the opportunity to run off with
Florence during our absence, and plume him
self, the rascal, OH the way in Which was taken
in."
al confess that left note for Florence Ia
the same purport. How she will laugh ut me
What an embarrassment ="
g tell you what" said the Squire, after a
moments pause, 1--WE can carry out our plans
after all. We each came out with the inten'
tion of getting married. Why not marry each
other, and then you know, we can make them
believe we had it in view all along and only
intended to frghien them."
Mrs. Benson assentcd with little urging
and in the course Of an hour the twain were
made one. They Immediately returned, but
found, as they anticipated, that Florence AMI
Charles, discovering their departure, had them
selves stepped off in different direction, with
a similar intent.
They made their appearance the next morn
ing, prepared to laugh heartily at the frustra'
ted plans of their parents, but learned with M
little astonishment that they had struck up
bargain for themselves. Squire Markham ant
his new wife had the address to convince then
that it was all premedItated plan, and to thi
day the younger pair are ignorant Of the plo
and counter plot which led TO this double uniol
of the two households.