The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-07-02

ever he pleased or he might settle moth
ing at all upon her, if he liked that better.
1t was his daughter wanted, and not
his money. And for my part. I'd take
care that my wife didn't come to want.
undertook to insure my life for Il large
amount. and to assign the policy to trus-
tees for her benefit, in case of my death,
covenaning, of course to pay the premi-
ums regularly, and to keep up the insu-
rance in the usual way. | thought that
a fair arrangement enough; but it did
OF content him lie wanted to tie my
hands. completely. lie hadn't a hap
orth of confidence in me. lie gave me
credit for no sort of affection for his daugh-
ter. lie insisted that any money | might
in future become possessed Of | should
covenant to bring into the settlement 1t
was most absurd. Of course | couldn't
consent to it, had my business to con-
slider. 1t may be very desirable by and
by to invest further capital in it. Why
should be hindered from investing my
own money in the way | might deem
best OF course my wife and my chill
dren-if ever have any-will reap the
benefit Of it Just as much rs | shall How
ever, he wouldn't listen 10 me so there
was nothing more to be said lie would
not give in; and | wouldn't | told
GcorIina exactly how the mater stood.
She's Of age. | asked her whether she'd
marry me without the old mans consent
Poor girl she was in u dreadful way.
But she didn't dare to do that. She
shrunk from offending her father so
there's no help for 1.-THE things broken
off, and I'm not 10 be married, it seems
this time at any rate"
lie spoke rather sorrowfully, but still
without the slightest trace Of temper
endeavorcd to console him III Common
place sort OF a way. 1t was difficult
matter to know what to say upon such
an occasion, and consolation at all times
is apt to run into rather commonplace
| forms.
lie opened the small packet he had
been holding in his hand
''This is pleasant he said. "Here are
all my letters to Gcorgina. An! here's
little present | gave to her, sent back to
me-"
There were not many letters. They
were written, | could see, in my friends
usual bold, plain, leg.ble hand. Their
contents could guess little enough like
conventional love letters probably-vcry
unecstatc composition-yet simple and
Ia the purpose, and unm,takabe enough
] bu ,pt 4.
hseayiyy. s sset in plnin npttl lTiest'n,h1 cUhru
have fancied Ned Stone selecting for his
betrothcl.
81 suppose they'll expect me to send
back Georgina's letters 10 her." lie
said.
Undoubtedly"
''lts the usual way when engage ments
come to an enl like this :"
''Ccrlain!y, it's the usual way"
lie rubbed his chin AMI seemed to re
fleet little.
'lIave "A cigar" he sad presently,
"and let's talk about something else this
is not the most agreeable subject in the
world. Tell us what you have been do
ing with yourself lately"
So we fell to talking again abont this,
that, and the other. Presently | left
him. As went away he said quietly,
81 think | shall try and see Georgina
once more, for Il particular reason"
did not ask what the particular. reas-
on was, and he did not tell me.
A few nights afterwards | saw him
again. lie was at no time subject much
to change of mood, or at any time seldom
betrayed any variation of that kind. Yet
it struck me that if anything, he was in
rather hctter spirits than usual.
"You didn't mcntion," he said, "what
told YOU the other night-that my en-
gagemept was broken off,"
| explained that had not mentioned
it for a particular good reason. | had
not seen any person whom it would inter
est to be informed Of the fact
'It's just as well,' he said, "bccause,
as it happens, the engagement is moi
5 broken off; or rather, ITS on again."
'Inieed I'm sure I'm very glad to
) hear it,"
81 told you | should try and see Geor-
, gina again. Well, | knew that she Otter
went with her father and other relations
, and friends to the Geological Gardens on
c Sunday. ! couldn't call at old Warren
r house, you know, because | understood
, that | was rs good as kicked out of that
1 So went to the Zoological-lve frient
who's Fellow, who gives me a ticket
e for Sundays whenever | ask him, and
/ / looked about for Georgina. soon dis
covered her, with Warren and a lot o
other people. She saw me ana under
A stood by my signs that | wanted TO speal
TO her on the quiet. Well, she fingered
= behind a little, an1 when the rest of he
G party went to look at the kangaroos, she
I slipped with me into the snake house
She looked rather frightened, and the
tears stood in her eyes; SO | put my arm
e round her-it didn't matter to me who
t saw me you know-and told her ther'
was nothing TO be alarmed at, and tha
4 | only wanted TO say worl or two.
5 then told her that | was sorry had no
e sent her back her letters rs | ought u
have but the plain fact of the matte
S was | couldn't do it. 'You love me still
then, Ned 2 she said. 'Of course | do
r Georgy,' saidi who has been tellin: