The Portland daily press., 1865-09-30

added hOrro to the aspect of hate, such as
she wore whom was invited to make my own,
and could not bring my heart and lips to say
yes, to such destiny. AT last arose and
said:
twill call tomorrow and give you my de-
cision." sialaa
@Very. we'll" replied the old man, without
turning his head or ceaslng TO write.
went home and endeavored to prepare my
mother for the ruin that had befallen us, but
on approaching the subject found II worse
than she could endure, and relinquished the
effort IN despair. To my sister ventured to
tell the truth and she wept bitterly, not for
herself but for our parent, who she assured
me would inevitably expire on hearing the
news. aHe sa Sass a4Ats
"Is there nothing on earth, Edward, YOU can
do 70 prevent this?" .s.si'f
"Yes"
..And won't you do it?"
II cannot bring my mind to it." a5aa
as it dishonesty"
"No-no, don't know that IL Is. but very re-
pugnant TO my feelings"
slam sure would do anything for man.
ma" '
Would you marry the man you abhor?"
4To save mammals life-yes.D "a aohg
swell, then, win not be outione by YOU in
filial Affection -
What do you mean, Edward?"
81 will tell you tomorrow. In the mean
time cheer up. / will save mother and YOU,
but at great sacrifce-Heaven only knows
how great"
Ny sister flung her arms around my neck,
kissed me afectionately, called me by many
endearing names, and felt as if 1 almost
deserved them, exaggerated as they were.
communicated my decision to my lawyer
the next day, telling him that since could
not marry for love could marry for hate.
He uttered sort Of grunt, and replied:
Few marriages begin in that way but with
too many love is merged in antipathy as soon
as the honeymoon Is well over, Your pro-
spect Of connubial happiness is the brighter.
and it cannot change but for the better. If
you knew the lady as well as do, you would
entertain no misgivings ON the subject"
On the second day after this interview I
received Mrs. Barringtons card, and writ
ten request from my lawyer that would call
upon her without delay, as he had settled the
preliminaries in a satisfactory manner. did
not fly on the wings of love to the stately
mansion Of my bride elect, as there had been
little choice in the matter, but walked thither
like man who had volunteered to be hang
ed.
On my arrival was ushered into a hand
some drawing room, in which was kept watt
ing about quarter of an hour, when, at last.
the lady appeared She did not look hand-a
somer than when met her on the stairs, Lead
ing to my lawyers Office. On the contrary.
the relation In which she now stood with re-
spect to myself, and the finery she had piled
upon her person, rendered her, in my eyes,
more hideous than ever.
responded to her salutation, and remained
silent for a few moments. She appeared de-
sironS of manifesting certain measure of
maidenly coyness, and ! was not indisposed to
allow her all the leisure she required for the
performance of the part. When sine had en-
acted the role to her satisfaction, and lost
little patience, she opened upon me with the
voice of dying screech-owl, that made me
shudder:
3Well, Mr.. Ingleton, the object of your vis-
it is, presume"
"Yes, madam, it is as you say, to propose for
supposed to go together"
6My hand and heart !" she exclaimed, laugh
ing.
What laugh it was A ruined hurdy-gur-
dy, maniac's scream and the serenade of q
starving cat combined, were music to it.
eyes, madam, and does it appear so absurd
to youT
: @AIy lawyer has been authorized by me to
make proposition, which he has given me to
understand has been fayorably received. Has
he deceived me?' ha.s 4geaf.
"Not at all; but you have made a slight
mistake in the person"
"Are you not Mrs. Darlington ?"
"Fhat is my name; but presume you refer
to my niece"
"Ihis is ridiculous. Shall I have the plea
sure OF seeing the right lady?n saa p
"In moment. Sic sentme to prepare you
for her coming" ~ s s~T
81 do not see the necessity.r
E. GT nrae1lmn nof r will avI,lofy1 a1fho,.ryl,
the subject is a delicate one to handle: A bet
ter hearted girl than my niece Clara never
lived, but she has some 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"
l looked at the speaker for moment in
amazement, and an Involuntary groan escaped
my lips
ut cannot be possiblel Is she deformed ?"
ooh, no; she is as perfectly shaped as I
am" ee
"Indeedl What is it, then?"
"a slight obliquity Of vision, which adds
puzzling and peculiar expression to the eyes.
Her hair is OF that color against which there
is very unmerited prejudice; but, for myself,
l think never saw finer or more brilliant
red. With these exceptions, there exists a
strong family likeness between us, more es-
pecially as respects the width of the mouth,
9ilu pAS iOuuuIICoS anu nel2nJ OF the Sn0ul-
ders, and the size of the feet"
What an image of horror was conjured up
before mel
"Say no morer' l exclaimed, wildly;
@This suspense is too dreadful. Let me see
the woman herself, though the sight of her
should kill me p '-s.
"Then turn and look upon your death p.
cried sweet voice behind me, in mock
tragic voice, followed by silvery ring of laugh
ter.
/ turned, and to my inexpressibIe delight
beheld my adored black-eyed beauty. n 3
"And you-you are" e,.sa
ANot Miss Eastburn. That was my maiden
name; but Clara Darlington, widow"
aOh, you have been playing rare game
with me-"
"a fair one. have won your love fairly,
and learned that there was right on your side
as well as on mine, and ! viii be my own
court of equity, and do justice more even
handed than the law"
MAY not praise you now?"
no, hut you may"
ado what?n
Love me just as much as you please"