The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-27

interfering with any apparently sincere vow VS.; so
sent for LottY-talked with her; found she was
Just as foolish as be. That because he was the
best waltzer, the sweetest tenor singer, and had
the handsomest moustache she knew--our lively
Charlotte was quite contented to dance through
lie with Mr.. Outhbert, and decidedly proud of
having his diamond ring on her third finger, and
being considered ''engagedn LAS. indeed, they
were likely to remain, If their minds changed
not for the next ten years.
So, what would do? Nothing but deal with
the young simpletons, II such they we're, accord
ing to their folly. II true, their love would
have time TO prove itself such; If false, they
would best find out that fact by its not being
thwarted. / kissed away Lotty's tears, silly
child and next Sunday / had the honor OF
carving for brotherin-law elect No. 2.
II never rains but 1t pours. Whether Ange-
line was reused at once TO Indignation and con-
descension by Charlotte's engagement-whlch
whether, as was afterwards reported TO me- she
was Influenced by certain statistical newspaper
paragraph, mallciously read aloud by Mr.. Cuth-
bert for general edi6casion, that women's
chances of matrimony we're proved by the late
census to diminish greatly between the ages of
thirty and thirty-dye; but most assuredly Ange'
lines demeanor changed. She stopped to be
agreeable as well as beautiful To more than
one suitor whom she had of old swept haughtily
by did she now graciousy incline; and the
result was-partly owing to the gayetles OF this
autumnal etection-that Miss Angeline Heath
cote, the beauty Of the county, held general
election on her own private account.
Alas for me In one week had no less than
four hopeful candidates requesting "the honor
OF an interview in my study.
Angeline's decision was rather dilatory, they
were all such excellent matches; and, poor girl!
with all her beauty for her chief gift, and with
all the tinsel alteration 1t brought her, she had
never been used to think of marriage as any
thing more than the mere worldly arrangement.
She was ready TO choose a husband as she would
q wedding-gown-disp8ssi carefully, as
the best out of large selection OF articles, each
rich and good in its way, and warranted to wear.
She had plenty OF common sense, and an acute
judgment; as for her heart
'You see, Nigel,n she said to me, when weigh
ing the respective claims and merits OF Mr..
Archer and Sir Rowland Griffith Jones, 'you
see never was sentmentally inclined. | want
20 be married / think / should be better mar
ried than SINGLE OF course, my husband must
be good man; also, he should be wealthy
man; because-well l-because rather like
show and sulendor; they suit me-"
And she glanced into the mirror at something
which, certainly, If any woman has any excuse
for the vanities of life, might have pleaded An
geline's.
'But," l argued-half sorrowfully, as when
you see an ignorant child throwing gold away,
and choosing sham Jewels for their pltful glIs-
tering-"you surely would think it necessary to
love your husbandT
90 yes; and l like Sir Rowland extremely
perhaps even better than Mr.. Archer-though he
has been fond of me so long, poor fellow But
ne VIII pei over 1J-all men QO,"
So, though the balance hung for whole week
doubttul-Heaven forgive the girl but true love
was not in her nature, and now can people see
further than their lights go? | was soon pretty
certain that fate would decdeth the marriage ques-
tion in favor OF the baronet. As Lofty said,
Angeline would look as magnificent in the family
diamonds as Lady Griffith Jones.
The Welsh cause triumphed; Mr.. Archer
quilted the field. He had been an old acquaint-
ance; but-what was that to Sir Rowland and
100000 year?
After Angeline's affair was settled, there came
a lull in the family epidemic-possiby because
the head of the family grew savage as bear;
and for u full month his spirit hugeed itself
into fierce misanthropy, or rather misogony,
contemning the whole female sex, especially
such as contemplated entering into the unholy
state of matrimony.
No wonder l could not find peace In my own
house; had not my own sisters society not a
single family freside evening could l get from
weeks end 10 weeks end; not q room could l
enter without breaking in on some tete-d-tete;
not corner could / creep into without STUN
bling upon pair of lovers. For little while
these fond couples kept on their good behavior
towards, preserved degree of reserve towards,
each other out of respect to the head OF the
house, the elder brother; but gradually it de-
eriorated-ceased. Nay, l, who belong to the
old generation-which was foolish enough to
deem caresses halowe6 things, that the mere
pressure of a beloved woman's hand not to
speak of her sacred mouth, was thing not to be
made public show of-never to be thought OF
without tender reverence, delicious tear-I,
Nigel Heathcote, have actually seen two young
men, strangers little year ago, kiss my two
sisters openly before their whole tamily-betore
their brothers very face!
NV situation became intolerable. fled the
fireside; took refuge in my study. Wo betlde
the next lover who should assail me there!
Surely that fatality would not again arrive for
some tlme When the elder ones we're once
married and away, surely /, and Constanta, and
little Lizzie, might live few years in irater1al
peace. unmolested by the haunting shadow OF
impending matrlmony.
1t occurred to me that in the interval of the
weddings I would send for an old friend, a
bachelor like myself-an honest, manly fellow,
who worked hard from circuit to circuit and
got barely one brief year. Yes, VIII Launces
ton would keep me company; and we would
spend our days in the woods, and our evenings
in my study, safe out of the way of lovers, wed
dings and womanBind. ....
/ had Just written to him, when my sister
Martha came in with very serious face, anG
told me "she wished for a little conversation
with me-"
| Ominous beginning! But she was not young
| man, and could not we'll attack me concerning
| any more of my sisters. At least so l congratu
lated myself-alas, too soon
My sister settled herself by the fire with Sc
| rious countenance.
| "My dear Nigel"
my dear Martha"
| II wish TO consult YOU on matter which hai
recently come to my knowledge, and has giver
me much pain, and some anxiety"
| Indeed ~ and am afraid my tone was les
| sympathizing than eager, since from her troubled
nervous manner, thought hoped, the matte
in question indicated the secession Of Mr.
Green. 'Go on. Is it about"-I stopped ant
corrected myself hypocriticaliy-" about tn
| girls /"
| She assented.
"Whew pa disappointed whistle, faint ant
| low. 'Still, go on. I'll listen to anything
except another proposal"
Martha shooE her head. "Alas, fear it viii