, 1865-08-25

composedIy, as if he felt that he was ever so
much older than l; recommended me books to
| read cri icised my drawing and pianO-playing,
and even presumed to lecture nae for exposing
unprotected shoulders to the night air.
| 1 supped this as q part of the ''training,"
and I felt indescribably amused. When mat
ters reached the proper pitch, Mr.. Clinton would
probably say, in that faultlessly gentlemanly
way of is, ''you have been a very good girl,
/ Laura, very proper and obedient; and l shall
now rewad you by making you my wife; when
l can continue your education indefinitely"
| There as something very winning, though
in Mr.. Cilton's deferential attentions to NAM
ma. Icold not but think he displayed consid-
eraDe Strategy in this. sect on the moth
er's side is an old adage. But often laughed
to myself as I thought that the two plotters
! little knew what knew.
Frank Gliddon was becoming troublesome,
] for l could scarcely make up my mind whether
! 1 loved him or not, and l rather dreaded being
alone with him. His sisters, too became des-
perately affectionate; and was afraid that mat
ters were really getting to be serious
! At the jUncture mamma received a letter COM
muncatng the loss of our little all; and it be-
came evident that decided measures must speed
| lily be taken Our home would again be broken
up; 'The Vines" the scene of many pleasant
hours, pass into other hands; and I atand pom
| dered over ways and means, until a gigantic
| scheme of self sacrifice presented itself.
! ''For myself" said dear mamma, with her
I usual unselfshness, 81 do not care but feel
sorry, dear child, that, at some future day, you
will have to go penniless to the man you love"
| knew she was thinking of Mr.. Clinton; and
/ resolved, more determinedly than at first, to
| sacrifice myself | became more attentive, and
! less fighty in my manner toward Mr.. Clinton;
and he was evidently gratifed at the change.
| Mr.. Clinton was not a bit lOve-like, however.
He lectured and advised me rather more than
! ever; and evidently regarded me from such an
immense height, that l wondered how in the
world should ever get on with him, after had
married him. could almost fancy him saying,
"MadGm, my first wife was Percy, and she
would not have dared to take such liberty '
| sighed considerable over Frank Gliddon; for
1 had discovered that if did not "feel it to be
my, duty" to marry Mr.. Clinton, should GER
tainly love him. But dear mamma liked all
beautiful and luxurious things, and ] could
place her in Just such home as she was fitted
for Frank had never told me that he loved me,
except with his eyes; and be was only young
lawyer, who could not give mamma the luxury
1 coveted for her.
So l adjusted my dress, on that eventful eve
ming, with the calmness that resolution inyarla-
bly, gives; for Mr.. Clinton had whispered to me
in the afternoon, that he had something to say to
my promise, and although l knew that Frank
Gliddon sat alone and dismal in his bark-the
Fairy Queen-my mind was made up, and / de-
sCended to my fate.
/ encountered Mamma, ON the stairs, who hes
itated when she saw me; perhaps she trembled
for my happiness, for she must have read stern
resolve in my eye, and whispered timidly, as
she pressed my hand.
"Try not to hurt Mr. Clinton's feelings, darl-
/ -. ccd nj
cation. Do not let him see anything that will
annoy him, for he is very sensitive; and remem-
Der Laura, that / have endeayored to consult
your true interests"
81 know you have, dear mamma" replied,
with a kiss, "But never fear that you will have
any trouble from me-my only desire is to see
you happy"
Mammals face was fairly Illuminated as she
passed me; and with the consciousness that
had a great deal in my power, I entered the par
lOr where Mr.. Clinton was waiting for me.
Of course I did not expect him to go down on
his knees, as that would not have been at all in
character But l was not quite prepared for
the benignant, fatherly style of address with
which Mr. Clinton greeted me.
t'My dear child said he, taking my hand
with a very composed sort of affection, 81 sup
pose thatyour mother has prepared you"
"Mamma has told me nothing p l exclaimed
pettishly for I felt provoked that he should
want to get rid of making me an offer. "I am
here simply in answer to your request of this
afternoon"
| Not bit of help should he get from me, and
quietly enjoyed his surprise.
| CAT least" he continued, after a somewhat
awkward pause, "you imagine the purport Of
my communication? for utter ignorance on the
subject must be feigned.
My cheeks were blazing-never had encoun-
tered so ridiculous, so humiltating an adven-
ture. He evidently expected me to answer his
question before he had asked it; but would
stand this no longer and, rising hastily, l ex-
claimed
''I do not understand enigmas, Mr.. Clinton
you will excuse me if leave you until you have
something definite to say"
"Something definite to say?" he repeated with
smile. t'What l have to say is definite
enough but feel natural embarrassment at
asking beautiful, well-grown girl Of nineteen
to receive me as her father. But as your moth
er has consented to take me as her husband, l
hope you will not be very obdurate. Shall we
seal the compact, LauraP'
And before l could realize this sudden change
of base, Mr.. Clinton had folded me warmly in
his arms, and bestowed a fatherly kiss on me-
Dear, cowardly mamma She could not face
her grown up daughter with this confession,
and had wisely left Mr. Clinton to break it.
"Oh, am so glad ~ [ exclaimed, in a rap
ture 'I will love you dearly, and am very,
very glad for mamma she needs some one to
take care of her."
81 think" replied my papa elect, ''that a
young gentleman who shall be nameless has the
same opinion respecting you"
ran to my room, and threw myself down on
the bed literally shaking with laughter. Was
ever anything so ridiculous perpetrated before
l had worked myselfup to a sacrifice pitch, and
10 and behold l was "not the person wantedP
l must confess TO feeling a little humilated-
but one comfort, no one knew it, and resolved
to keep my own counsel to the best of my abil-
ity.
'I am so glad, " said mamma, brightly, when
we talked matters over, "that you received it as
you did, Laura Mr.. Clinton was very much
pleased, and had almost feared that you die
not like him. 1 was amused, though, at your
perfect unconsciousness,' she continued, laugh
ing; and ! really wonder that you did not sus
pect when you saw him here so often.
How could I confess that, in my vanity, haC
appropriated these visits to myself2 ben
down lower over my work to hide smile at my
own blindness, and mamma went on
Your goyerness scheme, of which you hav'
I sometimes talked since our msfortunes; will
have to be given up, Laura, for l am quite sur,
that Mr. Clinton would never allow it. He ha
been very generous, very noble; but | could no