Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-08-31

anticipated your wishes, and have just been
talking with the successful party. She is by
10 means inexorable, but, to tell you the
truth, there is no ground of compromise left.
You have lost all If she accords you any
thing, it is simply donation-nothing more
OF less"
''ls there no resource left by which can
for time ward off this final, and to my moth
or fear, fatal blow?'
"None in law"
."in What then ?"
a. In yoSgsclf?"
" Low aAmyself?"
In your person. You ere young and
handsome. don't say so to aatter you, but
to make my meaning clear"
We'll ?..c>-@s,---
"Well, marry Tie widow"
Marry her? would rather hang myself
at once"
"You should know best how Ct you are to
die. I4m afraid your education and habits
Nave totally untitled you for business end use
fulncss"
"Bk ktlieanakiage is absurd impossible" I"
'1'm not IN the habit of proposing absur-
,dities and impossibilities If you authorize
me to act, you will fnl lit no such thing
Will you do so?"
I" Not for the world {"
Understand that havn'f nle led this mat
ter on your behalf, but for the sake of your
mN Der and sister-especally on account of
your nlgedelfor whose life you pretended
molpent ago to feel an amount of solcitude
thatOould enable you to make any sacrifice" I"
- For the moment did not think of them. +"
""1t is time you did Since my counsel is
so very unpallatable, perhaps you will condc-
sccnd TO inform me what you propose to do"
Anything else but this is too horrible :"
~ old lawyer turned his chair round, and
con Vmcnced writing at his desk as coolly as if
he had been an ingenious machine invented
for no other purpose I thought on his propo-
sition till grew sick and faint The recol-
lection of the consummate charms of her
loved added a horror 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 |
rose and said:
Il will call tomorrow and give you my de-
cision"
''Vcry we'll, replied the old man, without
turning his head or ceasing to write.
| went home and attempted to prepare my
mother for the ruin that had befallen us but
in approaching the subject, found that it was
more than she could endure, and relnquished
the effort in despair. TO my sister l ventured
to tell the truth and she wept bitterly, not
for herself, but for our only parent, who she
assured me would inevitably expire on hear
ing the news.
is there nothing on earth that you can do,
Edward, to prevent this Z"
Yes"
And won't you do it? %
" cannot bring my mind to it,"
I" Is it dishonest p
"N-o, | don't know that it is, but very
repugnant to my feelings"
II am sure l would do anything for man.
ma"
Would you marry the man you abhor 2"
To save mammals lifo-ycs"
"Well, then, will not be outdono by you
in filial affection
What do you mean, Edward?"
g l will tell you tomorrow. In the mean
time cheer up. will save our mother and
you, but at great sacriice-Hcaven orl
knows how great"
My sister flung her arms around my neck,
kissed me affectionately, called me by many
endearing names, and felt as if | almost
deserved them, exaggerated as they were
l communicated my decision to my lawyer
the next day, telling him since could not
marry for love, would 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
prospect of connubial happiness is the bright
er, as it cannot change but for the better If
you knew the lady as well as | do, you would
no misgivings on the subject"
On the second day after this interview re-
ceived Mrs. Barrington's card, and written
request from my lawyer that would call
upon her without delay, as he had settled the
preiminarics in the most satisfactory man
ner l 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 voiun-
teered to be hanged.
On my arrival was ushered into hand
some drawing room, in which [ was kept
waiting for about quarter of an hour, when,
at last, the lady appeared. She did not look
handsomer than when | met her on the stairs
leauinS W thc idWycl ohhSc. Oh tuc oou-
trary, the relation in which she now stood
with respect to myself, and the fnery she had
piled upon her person, rendered her, in my
eyes, more hideous than ever.
responded to her sautation, and remained |
silent for few moments. She appeared de.
sirous of manifesting certain measure Of
maidenly coyness, and | was not indisposed to
allow her all the leisure she required for the |
performance of her part. When she had enacted
the role to her satisfaction, and lost little |
patience, she opened upon me with the voice
If dying screech-owl, that made me shud-
ler:
"Well, Mr.. Ingleton, the object of your
visit is, presume-"
eyes, madam, it is as you say, to propose |
for your hand and heart; they are conven-
tionally supposed to go together"
"My hand and heart" she exclaimed, |
laughing. .-
% What laugh it was A ruined hurdy-
,urdy, maniacs scream, and the serenade
If a starving cat combined were music to it.
" Yes madam; and does this appear so alb
,urd to you p
"Extravagantiy so.''
"My lawyer has been authorized by me to
make proposition, which he has given me
% understand has been favorably received