Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-01-29

say that its object was an unhostile meet
ing between myself and Miss Wilton ol
the following morning, without seconds
ground fixed in Kensington Gardens
slept but few hours that night, partly from
love Of Florence, partly from supping will
b and H, and stepping up til
i've, when the meeting was to take plac,
at eight.
"The next morning,T was first on tn,
ground"
More fool youl" said l, interruptins
him. No wonder the girl gives hersel
airs when you behave in such an absurd,
attentive style to her"
"Silence, barbarian |" Frank exclaimed
and then continued his story.
Though Florence declared she coulC
never meet me again, she very kindly
pointed out the means by which coulC
gain admission to ball which was 20 TAX,
place the next evening, and at which she
was 20 be present spoke to her on tn,
subject of marriage" (hear, hear, ant
laughter from myself; land was some
what astonished at her saying she had al
ready been offered to one young man, who
had at once refused her, and that sh,
had from that time Indignantly resolved
to give up all thoughts OF matrimony.
THAT very morning." continued nv
visitor, 1 called on my father. and told
him briefly that | was desirous of getting
married, though not to the lady for whom
he so kindly destined me. My father
taxed me with folly, reproached my intel.
lect with infrmity, and ended by saying,
that the young lady whom he had in view,
was more amiable, more pretty, and more
wealthy, than any other l was likely to
meet with, and that was at liberty to go
to the prince of iniquity if l refused to
marry Florence Wilton
GO If her name is Florence Wilton /
exclaimed, IN marry her.
go Why SOP said my father; have you
seen her, them
"' No., said l, unwilling to compromise
the girl; l have not seen her ; but Flor
ence Wilton is q very pretty name, and no
one with any other name shall be my
Wife
"And the young lady you say you
are so desperately in love withE my
parent suggested
sc oh, if marry Florence Wilton |
shall be equally pleased-I must marry
my dear Florence declared.
why you must be mad to take such
fancy to the girl without having seen
herr was the next paternal remark.
"'What am to dog I demanded, you
call me mad when | wish to marry that
darling Florence, whom l have never
seen-and forbid if 1 speak of marrying
any one else
Marry Florence, by all MEANS said
my father, smiling; she will be at the
ball you say you are going to tomorrow
night, and l will introduce you then to
the whole family
"'I will dance with her tomorrow
night, and marry her the day after | ex.
claimed frantically.
80 Good morning; you're insane al
present. my father answered. as he re
tired to another room.
"When the ball arrived l was intro
duced to Florence, and, as had been ar.
ranged, no signs Of recognition were ex,
changed. But when we were alone, she
still seemed disposed to forget that we
had ever met, and treated me with the
most rigid politeness. l attempted tc
touch her heart, but to reach her intelli
gence every now and then was all I could
do. paid her a few compliments, but
she analysed them, if she attended tc
them at all Then tried to make love to
'ANhI bu0 ShO Sdll DldhC lONG W u
statue, excepting in ballet At the close
of the bail she became little more
friendly: but by no means in tender
manner. Before leaving, she informed
me she was going out of town the next
day, and was uncertain as to when she
should return to London. She shook
hands with me as l handed her into the
carriage, and never saw her again"
"That comes from running after girl
too much" said soothingly.
81 wish you would not interrupt me-"
pursued Frank. 81 was saying that 1
never saw her again until fortnight af-
forwards, when she accepted me without
atfeCtation."
"Do you think, then, that she knew
you were the person who had refused her
hand when she saw you in Kensington
Gardens?" asked.
THAT is the first question l shall put to
her after we are married." he answered.
"Well, even now," | continued "you
have not told me why you have risen so
early to day, which is what you began
your story with. OF course, in the mean
time, condole with you seriously, at your
good fortune"
"Why," said the soon-to-be married
man, you only returned to England last
night, and had to call on you, get you
out of bed, give You your breakfast, dress
you, and bring you down to the church,
where | am just going to be married, be-
fore twelve o'clock"
Before twelve o'clock ?" 1 exclaimed.
+" Well, to oblige a friend, don't mind /;
but really it's thing wouldn't do for
myself"
Frank walked down to the church like
a hero, as his hours of bachelorhood drew
to close. He departed this life at five
minutes before twelve, and it was who
his last moments.