The Monmouth inquirer., 1865-09-28

NAMED Silent t0r lew moments que
appeared desrons of maniiesting q certain
measureSof maidenly coyness; I was not
indisposed to allow herall the leisureNshe
required for the performance of the part
When she had enacted the rele to her sat
isfaction, and lost little patience. she
opened upon me with the voice Of dying
screech-owl, that made me, shudders:- :
"WeI, Mr. Ingleton, the object,of .yohr
visit is, presume"
es, madam, it is as you say, to pro-
pose for your hand and heart they are
conveniently supposed to go together"
"My hand and heart !" she exclaimed,
laughing
What a laugh it was A ruined
hurdy-gnrdy. a maniac's scream. and the
serenade of q starving cat combined, were
"Yes, madam and does this appear SO
absurd to you ~ 3W 1taaY4el s-.
Extravagantly So"
"My lawyer has been authorized by
me TO make a proposition, which he has
given me to understand has been favora-
bly, received Has he deceivedsme p
mot at all; but you have made a
slight mistake in the person" !"
i" Are you not Mrs Darlington p
"That is my name but presume
you refer to my niece"
"That is very ridiculous Shall have
the pleasure of seeing the right lady ?"
"In moment. She sent me to pre-
pare you for her coming"
:" do not see the necessity"
At presume not I will explain, al
though the subject is delicate one to
handle. A better hearted girl than my
niece Clara never lived, but she has some
personal defects which, perhaps, the eyes
of affection can overlook. mean to say,
for instance, that she does not enjoy the
same personal advantages as myself"
/ looked at the speaker for moment
in amazement, and an involuntary groan
escaped my lips.
:" 1t cannot be possible Is she deform-
ed 7" %
"Oh, no; she is as perfectly shaped as
l am"
Indeed What is it then p
A slight obliquity of vision, which
adds a puzzling and peculiar expression
to the eyes. Her hair is of that color
against which there is a very unmerted
prejudice but for myself, | think | new
er saw finer or more brilliant red. With
these exceptions, there exists strong
family likeness between US, more especial
ly as respects the width of the mouth, and
the roundness and height of the shoulders,
and the size of the feet"
What an image of horror was conjured
up before me. ti f.5s 4.
"Say no more!" | exclaimed wildly
"This suspense is too dreadful Let me see
the woman herself, though the sight of
her kills me p sni t'Gs-I- as
'Then turn and look upon your death |"
cried sweet voice behind me, in mock
tragic voice, followed by silvery ring of
laughter rf cr i.ore h.
Iturned, and, to my inexpressible de-
light, beheld my adored black-eyed
beauty 't ear t.va. 10 n.
"And you-you are"
7" Not Miss Eastburn. That was my
maiden name; but Clara Darlington,
widow" ;s.ef tse
l tell at her feet, half disposed to wor-
ship her, covered her hand with kisses,
and finding no resistance offered, sprang
to my feet and clasped her in myyarms
Clara Darlington, will you become
Clara Ingleton?" -7as H
h"In what excellent practice you are!
We shall have you proposing to the whole
family. You have begun bravely to
the aunt, then to the niece within FIVE
minutes. Aunt has fed, as well she may,
from so dangerous creature. What would
have become of her had | not rushed to
the rescue, Heaven only knowsl | prom
Use you that | shall be dreadful jealous of
her and the superior personal advantages
she enjoys" ,or m
"Oh, you have been playing rare
game with men' Hi
A fair one. | have Won your love
fairly, and learned at the same time that
there was right on your side as well as on
mine, and | will be my own court Of
equity, and do justice more even-handed
than the law" a.
"May | not praise you now 2"
"No, but you may"
Do what ?"
Love me Just as much as Won please %