Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-06-29
Frightening a LOver,-Or, the Stronu
Minded Woman.
BY CAROLINE F. PRESTON.

p
BY CAROLINE F. PRESTON
"You have heard me speak of Stephs,
jenkins, MatiIdaY"
eyes, Uncle"
''Well-anotherc cup of tea if you please
he is coming here to morrow, on n week!
visit"
"You don't mean SO, uncle 2" exclaimed
Matilda.
"And why don't /, Miss Matilda There
is nothing to summon such a look Of con-
sternation to your face"
"Because, if he shouldn't happen to be
"Of course he is agreeable Atnll events
it is desirable for you to find him SO, siIce
he is your prospective husband"
"My prospective husband What can
you mean, uncle?" inquired Matilda, OPEN
ing her eyes in amazement.
ga very good reason, certainly" said
Matilda, with curl of her lip. "it makes
little difference, l suppose, whether our
dispositions are compatible or not"
"oh, they will easily adjust themselves
after marriage, and then the two will make
such handsome estate"
"Suppose l shouldn't fancy him well
enough to accept his proposals, uncle2"
| asked Matilda, demurely.
''If You should dream of such q thing
as refusal, should disinherit you. You
are aware, | suppose, that can at any
time recall it."
"That would be pity, certainly" said
Matilda, in lively strain, "for should
have to take in washing, or something of
that kind, to support myselEtcc 81 himself,
smS a appetite !" sEisNn Ess niece as one
who would readily yield to his expressed
will.
"One question more uncle. Suppose he
should not happen to fancy your humble
niece, and conclude to pay his addresses
elsewhere2"
II would not speak to the puppy again"
"Aud you wouldn't disinherit me then'
unclc?" ..---.-,.
"of course not, you gipsey. 1t would
not be your ftult."
"It would beivery mortifying to have him
reject me- said Matilda, demurely. us
there anything he particularly dislikes IN
woman, do you know Z"
~ once heard him say he couldn't bear
n literary woman, said her uncle, after
some reflection. "All sorts of strong
minded-women are his aversion. But
then you know, Matte, you are not strong
"Thank you. uncle, very much. That is
as much as to say weak-minded."
"Nosucha a thing, you gipsy. But there's
one thing moro have to tell you, anu tnat
is that shall not be here to entertain MIR.
Jenkins l am called away to New orK
bv business, which will dctain me the
full length of his stay. So you will have
10 entertain him yourself. Mind and play
your cards we'll, and l shall expect to find
The marriage day fixed when return.
WOh dear, what shall ever do with tbs
horrid man for a whole WeckI
al dare say you will be dead in love with
him by the time get back. You may re-
member me to him when he arrives, anu
tell him how much regret not being here
to welcome him"
"Yes, uncle, Pll remember"
That night Matilda kept awake for some
time, connecting IL plan by which she
might offend the prejudices of the expect
ed visitor, and throw the burden OF re-
fusal upon him; for she we'll knew, tnat u
he once proposed, her uncle would he
seriously angry if she rejected him, ano 1
very possibly would carry out thethrea
to which he had given utterance
1t was about twelve o'clock the next day
that tall young man, of serious aspect
ascendcd MIR. Parker's front steps and ranf
the bell.
He was ushered into the drawing room
where, after waiting about halt an hour n
was joined by Matilda.
The young lady was by no means look
ing her best Her hair was loosely ar
ranged, her collar was nwry, and ther
was very pcrccptible stain of ink upol
her fingers.
"Mr jenkins, presume" she remarked
The gentleman bowed, and looked Gu
riously Mt his entertainer. -.
"And, presume, i am addressing MIS-
Parker" -lt
Our heroine inclined her. head in tn
affirmative! e- 90 :,
"I hope your respected uncle is well,
said Stephen Jenkins, in the measure
tone of young man who was old beyon
I EE"I wouldn't marry such stitf OLD poE
. for the world, !" was the not over-compl
. mentary reflection of Matilda.
"My uncle regrets very much not oein
. able to meet you," she said in answer
his question, "but he is called to Ne
York hy business. trust, however, th'
/ shall be able to entertain you"
t.ThatI do not question" said The Vtsi
or. with slow attempt at gsliantry:
:. Slam inclined to think that he will b
fore he goes, thought Matilda.
Looking mt her fingers, she remarSe
> composedly, as flor the frst time, obscr
cd the Etnin Of ink, al hope yon TlI e
n cuse the appearance of my hngersi loos
a have been writing all the morning 'eeo
j couldn't remove the traces OF the lnk' 8,
le "You were writing letters, presume
snid Stephen. y 2! -I#siif =