Middletown transcript., 1868-07-25
"Is this your trunk, ma'am ?" asked

= And in a few moments the two were
driving towards the Hinkles' country seat.
Never had Bachelor Brown found himself
SO close to any young lady, save his cou-
sins, before How pretty she was, he
thought How pink and whiteLhow
golden her hair was How the blue rib
bons set it off! Then he began to won
der what she thought of him. Wonder
ing thus he forgot the road and suddenly
found that he had lost himself To add
to the dilemma the storm, which had been
threatening for hours, burst at the very
moment when Bachelor Brown found il
impossible to tell whether the left road or
the light led homeward and the horse was
afraid of lightning, and grew restive. Miss
Amanda Dove was afraid of lightning also.
She gave little scream, and clung to
Bachelor Browns coat sleeve.
Bachelor Brown looked down at her.
1t was such soft, plump hand Her eyes
were so round and so blue in her terror
that he forgot she was young lady.
I'll take care of you," he said: flash
of lightning, roar of thunder, an attempt
on the part Of the horse to run away, in
terrupted him.
Miss Dove turned pale. Bachelor
| Brown looked terrified. He cast glance
about him. Near the road was a parson-
age, connected with its church by a gar
| den.
II tell you what we'll do" he said
'Wc'll ask for shelter until the storm is
over. A clergyman ought to be Christian
enough to take us in"
And driving to the gate, he assisted
Miss Dove to alight. As he did so, two
hired men rushed out and began to attend
to the horse and carriage, and an old lady
and gentleman appeared on the step.
$50 glad you're early enough to escape
the worst Of the Storm" said the gentle
man.
"Do come in," said the old lady. "We
were expecting you-for on such occasions
people always keep their appointments,
rain or sunshine, believe"
=" What on earth does she mean" said
Bachelor Brown. F'But it's very kind Of
them" And so while the old lady hur-
riod Miss Dove away to dry her things,
he sat with the old gentleman in the par
lor.
"Do you feel at all nervous, sir 2" said
tho old gentleman, after pause.
" You expected a-young couple p he
said.
Oh, you are quite young enough, SIR"
said the innocent clergyman. "And I
must say the young lady appears very
charming person.
Bachelor Brown felt himself blush.
Gbop1I x,o,, 4I:n1- IL - - 80
wife 7" he asked
Undoubtedly" said the clergyman.
"And you think man is-happier-
for--for-entering the nuptial state?' he
inquired.
mo man can be happy without so do
ing, and it is every mans duty" said the
old gentleman believing every word he
said.
She is a dear little thing" said Mr..
Brown to himself g [ never liked girl
so much. Its very awkward to explain.
[ wonder whether"
But just then Miss Dove entered the
room, looking angelic, without her bon
net, to Mr.. Brown. Bachelor Brown
drew her aside.
II have something to say to you, Miss
Dove" he said.
"Dear me-" said Hiss Dove.
"They have made mistake" said
Bachelor Brown. "They think we-we-
wo-we are the people they expect--a-a
young couple, you know, about to-"
"Oh, dear, do they ?" whispered Miss
Dove.
"Yes," said Bachelor Brown. Now it
would be very awkward to explain. And
l like you so much. Couldn't you like
me, too, and let him do it-oh p
do what, Mr.. Brown?' said Amanda.
Marry u.s." said Bachelor B.
"Of course not" said Amanda. "What
would the Hinkles say p
9. They would de delighted" said Rich
ard, growing bolder. Then he put his arm
around her waist. "I don't know much
about this sort of thing, but you are the
only nice girl l ever saw, Please do. I'll
be good to you"
/ know you are good" said Amanda,
"but'-
But then I am ugly 2'' said Richard
"Oh no, not at ALL"
"Well ~ a.
"It would be SO odd"
Wen, SAID Bachelor Brown, "that |
is my fault, and they know am odd, my
dear"
Four hours after the Hinkles heard the
light wagonette drive to the door, and
rushed out to greet Amanda.
ave have been SO alarmed 2" said Mrs. |
Hinkle.
/" Such Storm" said Rose.
Were you frightened ~ asked Ade-
laide. But Amanda said nothing.
Uucle Richard, too, shrank back, as
though he was afraid of something.
Tell them, Amanda" he said.
mo, you tell them, Richard" said |
Amanda.
The Hinklcs listened in amazement.
"What is there to tell ~ asked Mrs.
Hinkle. What is all this mystery about.
And cousin Richard answered, sheep
ishly, Nothing, only we have been get
Ia. l.. =