The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-11-09

house, "young Wright had the impotence t'
speak to me again about you; and, as he init
mates that he did by your permission, you
may as well know, once for all, that it can never
he! would sooner see you in your grave thar
the wife of such man! I've got husband
picked ont for you Deacon Obediah Pettigrew
is a man that will do you and the family some
| credit
'Deacon Pettigrew? why, pa, he's more than
twice my age."
"Thats the very reason why I've selected him
you need some one to keep you steady. He will
| be here to see you tomorrow evening, and
shall expect You to receive him with the respect
| and consideration due to your future husband y
Before his daughter had time to recover from
the establishment into which this announcement
threw her, Mr.. Stacey was some ways down the
street.
"Well know two things" exclaimed Jennie,
putting down her foot with determined air; Il
tc0nt have that stupid Deacon Pettigrcw, and
1 acW have--Edward Wright"
As she said this, she took from her bosom a
letter from the last-named individual full of pro-
testations of vndying love, and imploring her to
meet him in the little grove just back of the
house, at half-past six that evening" reading it
for the fortieth time with flushed checks and
kindling eyes.
That evening, as Jennie went to the appointed
place. which she did not fail to do, she found
Edward waiting for her.
| Instead of wearing his usual cheerful look and
| pleasant smile, he stood leaning against tree,
| with arms folded across his chest. and n gloomy
cloud upon his brow, Cooking" as Jennie conf
| dentially informed the sympathizng Arabella
| Eugenie Angelina Stubs, 'for all the world
like the picture of Rupert Di Rinaldo, in The
Brigand of the Black Forest"
Edward found little difficulty IN persuading
b,r 60 Lon, Nd bo, f,t 1, l.;
Accordingly the next night, as soon as the house
was still, Jennie, enveloped in dark mantel,
and her face concealed by thick closely drawn
veil, stole out through the back way to the place
where her lover was waiting.
He had II covered carriage, and, though the
night was dark, she could see the dim outline Of
a man upon the box.
They rode two hours, mostly in silence; for
now that the irrevocable step was taken, Jenne's
courage began to fail her, and she grew depress-
ed in spirits-she hardly knew why. 1t seemed
to her that they would never reach their de,ti.
nation, which Edward had informed her was the
house of a clergyman in an adjoining town. But
at last, to her great relief, the carriage stopped
ITO avoid observation. we are going in thro'
the back way" whispered Edward, as he assisted
her to alight. "Draw your veil closely around
your face
The night was so dark that she could not see
the least thing, and she clung neryously to the
hand that led her along short path, over a pla,
of grass, up some steps, into dark narrow pas.
sage, which led into hall, and from thence into
a room that opened out of it, lighted by one
small, low lamp. Beside the table on which il
was placed the clergyman stood-a venerable
looking ma1l-and at the lower end of the apart
ment seemed to be Il number Of persons though
the light was SO dim that only the outlines of
their forms were visible.
Edward spoke few words TO the clergyman,
and then the ceremony commenced.
As soon as the last words were spoken, as il
by preconcerted movement. the two burners at
each end of the room were lighted, filling il with
a sudden blaze of light. while merry peal Of
laughter made it ring again and again.
AS soon as Jennies dazzled eyes would permi t
her to see, she found to her astonishment, that
she was back in the house that she supposed she
had quilted forever, and surrounded by her faith
er, and quite large group Of friends and rela.
tives.
"My daughter" said Mr.. Stacey. advancing
toward her, II trust that have played the role
of the "tyrannical father" to Your entire satsfac-
ton, and that you will permit me to offer you
my congratulations upon marriage that has
long been the first wish Of my heart"
81 hope you enjoyed your ride" said her
roguish brother Tom, who, in the capacity of
coachman had driven her all about the outs kirts
of the town, and finally back to the place from
whence they started.
"How could you deceive me so?" said Jennie,
turning her eyes reproachfully upon her hus-
band, AS her mind slowly took in the ruse that
had been played her
my dearest love-" he said, with look that
quite disarmed her, ut was the only way by
which could hope to win YOU