Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-11-30
Frightening A Lover.
by CAROLINE F. PRESTON.
you have heard inc speak of Stephen
jenkins, Matilda 2"

you don't mean so uncle ?" exclaimed
Miss Matilda.
"And why don't /, Miss Matilda ? There
is nothing to summon such look of con-
sternation TO your face
Because if he shouldn't happen to be a.
greeable-"
"Of course he is agreeable. AT any rate
it is desirable for you to find him so. since
he is your prospective husband"
"My prospective husband ? What can
you mean, uncle ~ inquired Matilda open
ing her eyes in amazcment.
81 thought you understood it. Your cs-
tates join, and it is eminently proper, there
fore, that you should unite them by mar
riage.n
"a very good reason certainly said Ma
tilda, with curl of the lip. at makes lit
tie difference, l suppose whether our dispo-
sitions are compatible or not"
so, they will easily adjust themselves af-
ter marriage, and the two will make such a
handsome estate
Suppose l shouldn't fancy him well G.
nough TO accept his proposals, uncle?" ask
ed Matilda demurely.
"If you should dream of such a thing as
refusal. ! should dsinhcrit you. You are
aware, | suppose, that all your property
comes from me, and that / at any time can
recall it."
"That would be a pity. certainly said
Matilda in a lively strain. "for | should
! have to take in washing or something ofthat
kind to support myself. and | have such an
appetite"
Mr.. Parker smiled in spite of himself.
and evidently looked upon his niece as one
who would readily Weld to his expressed
will.
zone question more. uncle. Suppose he
should not fancy your humble niece and
conclude TO nav his addresses elsewhere 2"
Il would never sneak to the puppv again"
And Won wonld not disinberit me then.
uncle 9-
"Of course NOT Won oinsv. IT wouldn't
he vour foult''
lit would he mortifyinp TO have him re-
iect me'' said Matilda demurelv. is there
apy thine he particularly dislikes in wo-
man do Won know P''
UI once heard him saw that he could not
boor literary woman q said her uncle af
fer reelection "AIl sorts of strono-minded
women are his aversion. But then. You
know Matte Won are not strono-minded. y
Thank Won uncle. very much. That is
rs mich MS TO saw 7 am weak-minded.n
"No sucb thinS Won oinsv. But there's
one fbinn I have 70 tell Won. and that is.
| tbot 7 am coIIod owov 70 Nov York nv
business which will dctain me the full LENGTH
of his stay. So you will have to entertain
him Yourself Mind and plav your cards
we'll and I shall EXPECT to ind the marriage
| day fixed when l return
10 dear. what shall ey<r do with the
horrid man for a whole week."
IL dare say you will be dead in love with
him before l get back. You may remem-
ber me to him when he arrives, and tell
him | regret not being here to welcome
! hin,
That night Matilda kept awake for some
time, concocting plan by which she might
offend the prejudices of the expected visitor
and throw the burden of refusal upon him
For she well knew that if he once proposed
her uncle would be seriously angry if she
rejected him, and very possibly carry out
the threat to which he had given utterance.
1t was about twelve O'Clock the. next day
that a tall young man of serious aspect, as
cended Mr.. Parker's front steps and rung
| the door bell lie was ushered into the
drawing ROOM where after waiting half an
hour, no was Joined by Matilda.
The Young lady was by no means looking
her best Her hair was loosely arranged,
her collar was awry, and there was a per-
ceptible stain of ink upon her fingers
Mr.. jenkins, presume" she remarked.
Thdeentleman bowed and looked curious
ly at his entertainer.
"And presume / am addressing Miss
Parker"
Our heroine inclined her head in the ai-
firmatiye.
81 hope your respected uncle is well,
said Stephsn jenkins, in the measured tone
of a young man who is old beyond his
years.
81 would not marry such sif' old poke
for tbe world.n was the not over-compli-
mentarv reflection of Matilda.
"Nv uncle regrets very much not being
able TO meet you:" she said in answer to his
oucstion "but he is called TO New York by
business trust. however. that | shall bo
able 10 entertain you.n
THAT | shall not question said the visit
or with slow attempt at ealantly.
~ am inclined 10 think he will be before
he goes thought Matilda.
Looking at her fingers, she remarked d
composedlv. as if she for the first time OBJ
served the stain. II hope you will excuse
the appearance of my fingers, but | have
been writing all the morning; and couldn
remove an trucus VI tne i,iN, ,,,.,,,,,,o :,
cold Stenben
30 nof not ot all was writing an arti-
olo on .Xvomon,s Rirhts' for tbe TRurle Of
Froodo,
Mr. Jenkins started uneasilv.
II snnnose Won are in the habit of seeing
tbot naner ~ soid Matilda.
t.N6 "be said stiff'lv,
AM Won do NOT know what Won lose
CONFUSED and edited entirely by females
Rnt perhons-~
MatiIdo bore interrunted herself to ring
the he'll.