The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1862-04-12
HARTFORD COUNTY INTELLIGENcER


said Jenny in low voice, and blushing
deeply; ~ do not love him."
Chow ridiculous When you have
reached my age, you will find out that
marriage and love have very little to do
with each other. I am really out of all
manner of patience with you, Jane. I
can't conceive where you got such strange
notions; not from me, that's certain
There is no earthly reason why you should
not love him. only wonder why a man
like Squire Jones can think of marrying q
silly young thing like you, when he can
have SO many other ladies for the asking"
Jenny drew her needle through her
work with so much energy as to snap the
thread, while quite perceptible pout
curved her rosy mouth
81 wonder too, mamma" she said sI
am sure that it would look great deal
more sensible in him to choose wife
somewhere near his own age. You, for
instance" %.
The buxom widow cast complacent
glance in the mirror opposite, which af-
forded glimpse of her well preserved
beauty. But she said, with becoming
show of Indignation, 81 wonder at you,
Jenny, for suggesting such an idea. Not
but We both might do worse, but no one
can take the place Of your poor dear father
to me-"
81 don't know why, mamma" respond
ed Jenny, a little mischievously, perceiv-
ing her advantage; s'it seems that Squire
Jones finds no difficulty in selecting some
one to fill the place Of his companion, who
has been in her grave scarcely twelve
month"
As Jenny said this, we'll known step
upon the gravelled walk sent the warm
blood to her cheeks; and presently tall,
manly form darkened the open door, and
a pleasant, deep-toned voice srid, "Good
evening, Mrs. Allen. Good evening, Miss
Jenny"
AS the Widow Allen saw the unmis-
taxable look Of love and admiration in Mr.
Frederick Sedley's eyes, as they rested
upon her daughter. and the half-shy, half
pleased expression in Jenny's, as she rails
ed them for moment to his face, new
light seemed to break in upon her mind
"Ah," she said to herself, $50 that is your
objection to Squire Jones, is it? I'll see
if | can't remove it."
If these suspicious were correct, and that
was the reason, no one could look on that
frank, intelligent countenance and not feel
that it was at least sensible one; the
Widow Aliens opinion to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
The next morning she was confirmed in
her suspicious by call from Mr.. Sedley,
who requested a private interview. Mrs.
Allen led the way to the parlor, and
awaited in solemn silence the errand upon
which she well knew he came. As she
conjectured, it was to obtain her consent
to his marriage with her daughter Jenny.
AS she heard it, the widows counten-
ance wore as austere and forbidding an ex-
preston as her round and rosy face could
very well assume. Knitting her brows,
she gave him what novel writers term a
"withering look" which according to that
authority ought to have annihilated him.
"Are you aware, young man." said the
widow loftily, "tbat my late husband left
his daughter to my sole guardianship, with
the express provision that she was to mar
ry no one without my approval?"
Certainly, madam, returned. Mr..
Sedley, with unrufied composure. "But
l hope to obtain that approval"
"You are very presumptuous, then, let
me tell you, said Mrs. Allen, indignant
at what she deemed the want of apprehcn-
sion, "and the best advice i can give you,
| is that you look out for wife somewhere
nearer your own station in life" MRS.
Allen was the widow Of retired dealer,
who commenced life as an errand boy for
the house in which he afterwards became
partner
i 1t cannot be denied but whist our hero
looked decidedly abashed at this decided
lrebuff. But determined not to 9sgiye it
| up 30, !, he said, 81 assure you, Mrs. AL
len, that my salary though not large is
amply sufficient to surround my wife with
every colnfort, and there is fair prospect
OF its being increased. I have spoken to
your daughter, and she referred me to
| you have been 50 fortunate as to win
her affections, and
ssAffectionsl Fiddlestick's end r in
terrupted the widow, in q tone Of supreme
tcontempt. 81 have the honor to wish
you very good morning. AS Mrs III
leD said this. she arose and swept out Of
10.