Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-11-11
The Impromptu Marriage

this trltlng, which Is out cruel paying WIN NY
feelings, and let US treat this subject as it de-
derives, soberly and seriously"
"Well, there, then !" cried the laughing
black-eyed girl to whom Charles Westerly
spoke. "There, then, is that grave enough ?
See. the corners of my mouth are only turned
down, and my eyes rolled up, and am as So
Der as a patient who has caught sight of the
dentists instruments. Do suit you SOP"
"You suit me anyhow, and you knowit well,
You witch l'' cried Charles, gazing witha smile
at the pretty face puckered up in its aaecta-
ton of occurrences. But he was not to be
driven from his point, as he resumed gravely,
after pause: The time has come, Susy, when
I feel have right to demand an explicit an
swer to my suit. You have triaed with my
earnest feeling long enough. have grown
restless under my fetters."
"Shake them off, Charley" interrupted the
saucy girl, with defiant toss of her head,
which plainly said, " defy you to do it,"
al cannot Susy, and you know it, )" replied
the hapless lover, impatently.
"That being the case, said Susy, take my
advice-wear them gracefully, and don't pull
and jerk so it only makes them hurt YOU"
The young man turned away, and walked
up and down the room, evidently fretting and
fuming internally. Susy, meantime, looked
out of the window and yawned.
Charles continued his moody walk.
"Oh! what a beautiful bird is on the lilac
tree p cried Susy, suddenly. "Do you come
and see it."
Don't you think, Charley" said Susy, lay
ing her hand on bis arm, and looking up eager
ly in his face don't you think you could man
age to"
"What, Susy?" asked Charles, all his ten
derness awakened by her manner. What ?"
"Drop pinch of salt on his back ?" replied
the provoking girl, with an afFectation Of sim
plicity; L" for then, you know, you could easily
catch i'll"
His answer was to turn angrily away.
His walk this time was longer than before,
and his cogitations were moSe earnest; for he
did not heed any of Susy's artlcss devices to al
lure his notice At last he stopped abruptly
before her. and said:
"Susy, for three long years have been your
sutor, with neither profession of love or prom
ise of marriage on your part. Often as have
demanded to know your sentiments towards me
YOU have always coqueitishly refused me an
answer This state of things must cease. !
love YOU better than my life; but win no lon
ger be your plaything. Tomorrow you are
going away, to be absent for months, and if
you cannot this very day throw aside your CO.
auetry, and give me an honest " yes for my
answer, shall consider that have received a
ono" and act accordingly"
"And how would that be What would
you do" asked Miss Susy, curiOusly,
"Begin by tearing your false and worthless
image from my heart I" cried Charles, furiously.
"It would be curious piece of business,
Charley; and you would not succeed either,
said Susy.
"I should and would succeed" said Charles,
as you shall see, if you wish, cruel, heartless
girl"
"But don't wish, Charley dear-I love,
dearly love to have you love me" said Susy.
"Why, then, cried the foolish youth, quite
won over again, "why, then, dearest Susy,
will you not consent ?"
Remember, said liked to be loved, re-
piled Susy; al did not say anything about
loving. But, pray, how long did you say you
had been courting me, in that pretty little
speech of yours ?"
"Tbree long years" replied Charles.
" Neatly and accurately quoted, Charley
But YOU know my cousin Rachael was only won
after five years courtship. You don't suppose
am going to rate myself any cheaper than
she did, do you2 Suppose we drop this tire
some subject for two years perhaps by that
time may be able to work myself up to the
faling-in-love point-thereis no knowing what
wonders time may effect"
"If you are not in love now, you will never
be-" replied Charles, sturdly; and will
have my answer now or never"
"Never, then, i" laughed Susy But she had
gone step too far Her often severelytried
lover was now too much in earnest to bear her
trihing any longer.
Never be it, then y he cried and seizins
his hat he strobe from the room.
Susy listened to bis recedns footsteps with
dismay. Had she, indeed, by her incorrigible
love of coquetryy lost him 1t smote her to
the soul to think so. As she heard him open
the front door, impelled by a feeling of despair,
she raised the, window sash, and. leaning for
ward whispered.
Charley, Charley you will be at the boat
tomorrow to bid me goodbye, won't you p
Surely we are still friends ?"
As she spoke she tore a rose from her bosom
and threw it tc him. 1t lodged upon his arm,
but he brushed it away as though it had been
poison, and passed on without looking up.
Susy spent the remainder Of the day in tears.
Early the next day the hustle of departure be-
gan. Susy was going to accompany her wi
dowed and invalid mother on trip for her
health. As they reached the wharf and de-