Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-12-08

not move without intcrrupting them. and as
the myrtle cffcctually screened me from OBJ
servation j thought ] had better remain
where was, and try and find some oppor-
tunity Of leaving the conservatory some
other way; but to my intense annoyance
was compelled to hear their conversation.
IF J. were sure, Miss Fawcett was say
ing, that you would never repent whatyou
are now doing, that you. are fully aware of
the step you are taking in wishing to marry
a penDlless companion-"
= Charley here interrupted her with violent
protcstations of never-dyiDg affection.
Yes, said she, 81 do believe in youi
most noble and disinterested affection foi
me; but pardon me if / refer again to Miss
Stanley. l cannot feel justified in permit.
ting you to rellnquish, without even seeing
her, the splendid fortune attached to your
union"
That Miss Stanley is the bane of my
me, Mary. .(By-the-by, Mary is her name,
terms of the will, ] resolved that | neveI
would seek, or even, if 1 could prevent it
incidentally become acquainted with Mis-
Stanley. The very thought of marrying
her, as matter of arrangement and bus
ness, Is most odious to me. If it left IN,
penniless, | would still act in the same man
ner. From the moment / first saw you
was attracted to you, and | now love you
with love that will only die with me. You
acknowledge that ! am not Indifferent tC
you; why, then, hesitate? You tell me you
have no friends but Mrs. Oakley: therefore,
what can there be to prevent our union as
speedily as may be?'
win you speak to Mrs. Oakley, then p
said Miss Fawcett. "She ought to know. -
Certainly said Charley. Il will do SC
this evening"
The sound Of a carriage driving to the dool
sent the lovers apart, Miss Fawcett leaving
the room.
As soon as possible found Charley, anc
informed him of what had occurred, ant
how l had been an unwilling listener to thei
conversation, but he merely laughed.
Then you know all without my tellng
you, said he. So much the better
will spare my bushes
"Well, Charley, old boy, ! am sure yo,
have my best wishes for your happiness, ;
said ''but / must confess that | wisl
you had seen Miss Stanley before taking
such decided step
Now, once for all, Harry, understand
me, " said Charley. From the time hearc
that will, | determined that nothing should
induce me to sell myself iu the base manner
it suggested, and that if ever | met with a
girl could love- and who would be content
to take me as am, 1 should marry her, a.
though Miss Stanley had never existed.
have now met with such girl. From the
moment | saw Mary Fawcett, admired hel
quiet, lady-like appearance, and have
since found out how truly lovable and good
she is; and if she be only as true to me as
shall be to her, | shall marry her. and hel
only, in spite of them ALL
could but admire his disinterested af
fection for the girl, nor was / surprised, fol
she was, as he said, most lovable.
In the course of the evening a long con
ference took place, in which, much to Char
! ley's disgust, it was determined that Mr.
Mellor ought te be written to, and requested
to inform Miss Stanley Of Mr.. Lancewood
engagement. Meanwhile, however, Mrs
Oakley saw no objection to the two consider
ing themselves engaged, with the prospec
4 lit nothing prevented) ofa speedy marriage
but that nothing more ought to be settle
until they heard from Mr.. Mellor. By re
turn of post the old gentleman wrote statin
that Miss Stanley would hear Mr.. Lance
woods decision from himself, and that will
Mrs. Archer's permission, he should sug
gest that a meeting should take place a
| Brennan lodge as soon as convenient, to ge
the thing settled. Mrs. Archer was de
lighted. The whole thing seemed to hav,
charmed her extremely; why, / could no
tell. was rather annoyed, and she fxeC
as early day as possible for the interview
Charley worked himself almost into
frantic state as the time came on and motto
ed that Miss Fawcett also became extremel,
nervous.
"You will be with me during this con
founded affair, Harry, said Charley.
'Yes, you wish it, was my reply.
On the day Mr.. Mellor and Miss Stanle!
were expected, we four-that is Helen anC
myself Charley and Miss Fawcett-ven
out for walk the business part being ex
pected to come off after luncheon. How
ever, when We returned, Mrs. Archer me
us in the hall, aud informed US that Nj
Mellor and Miss Stanley were in the house
and she should advise the matter being SCI
5 tied at once. She also added that it wa
particularly requested that Miss Fawce
should be present. Mary turned very palt
!, but, quickly laying aside her hat and cloal
she expressed her readiness to accompan
us. Charley looked very stern and detel
mined as we entered the library, but h
countenance expressed some surprise whe
we found there only Mr.. Mellor, who gree
ed us heartily.
Il thought We were to meet Miss Stan
ley !! exclaimed Charley.
! "All in good time, my dear boy, all i
little matter to settle with me first"
Charley now introduced Miss Fawcett,
whom Mr.. Mellor bowed gravely.
| 70 rIl or 20 br1S
said he, turning to Charley. 1t is necessar
for me to read your uncle will again to yor
or do you remember the conditions on whic
only you can inherit The Weir.
Il remember them quite sufficiently" r'
piled Charley.
And | am to understand that it is you
declared wish and resolution to marry tn
; young lady?" continued Mr. Mellor, turr
ing to Miss Fawcett.
! II am happy in being able to say that
is so, was Charley clear and distinct +
And you, young lady, do you of yol
/ own free will intend to marry Mr.. Lane
, wood?' he asked.
Miss Fawcetts face was covered wit
Il do"
, Then" said Mr. Mellor, 81 am hapr
, in knowing that my old friend S wishes wi
be so completely carried out in the uniol
: not only of the hands, but the hearts, of tt
two he loved best on earth. Mr. Lane
wood, allow me to introduce you to Mi
Mary Fawcett Whitfield, known since hi
grandfather death as Miss Stanley
5 Before i had time in any way to recov'
from my astonishment, Mrs. Archer SEIZE
my arm and fairly dragged me into the dra1