The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-01-25
HE KNEW he WAS RIGHT,
BY ANTHONY TRoLLoPE.
CHAPTER XXI.
Continued

COHttHueu.
On that evening Miss Stanbury had a
few friends to drink tea with her. There
was Mr.. and Mrs. Crumbie, and Mrs. Mac
Hsgh, of course, and the Cheritons from
Alphington, and Miss Apjohns from He
lion Villa, and old Mr.. Powell all the
way from Haldon, and two OF the
Wrights from their house IN the North
erphay, and Mr.. Gibson; but the MISS
Trenches from Heavitree were not
"Why don't you have the Miss
Trenches, aunt ~ Dorothy had asked.
nBsther the Miss Trenches Pm not
bound to have them every time. There's
Camilla has been and got herself a
handbook on the back of her head a
great deal bigger than the place inside
where the brains ought to be- But
the handbook at the back of Camilla
Trench's head was not the sole cause OF
the emission of the two sisters from the
list of Miss Stanbury's visitors on this
occasion.
The party went off very much as
usual There were two whist tables, for
Miss Stanbury could not bear to cut out.
At other houses than her own, when
there was cutting out, it was quite IN
derstood that Miss StaRbury was TO be
allowed to keep her place. "Pll go
away, and sit out there by myself, if
YOU like" she would say. But she was
never thus banished; and at her own
house she usually cOntrived that there
should be no system of Punishment. She
would play dummy whist, preferring II
TO the four-handed game; and, when
bard driven, and with meet opponent,
would not even despise double-dummy.
II was told of her and of Mrs. MacHugh |
that they had played dOuble-dummy for
q whole evening together; and they who
we're given to calumny had declared
that the candles on that evening had
been lighted very early. Ga the pres
ent occasion great many sixpenny |
points were scored, and much tea and
cake were consumed. Mr.. Gibson never
PLAYED whist,-nOr did Dorothy. That
young John Wright and Mary Cheriton
should do nothing but talk to each
other was thing of course, as they
were to be married in a month or two.
Then there was Ida Cheriton, who could
not very we'll be left at home; and Mr..
Gibson made himself pleasant to Doro-
thy and Ida CheritOn, instead of making
himself pleasant to the two Miss
Trenches. Gentlemen in provincial
towns quite understand that, from the
nature of social circumstances i'll the
provinces, they should always be ready
to be pleasant, at least, to pair at a
time.
At few minutes before twelve they
were all gone, and then came the shock.
Dolly, my dear, what do you think
of Mr.. Gibson
"Think of him, Aunt Stauburyf"
eyes; think Of him;-think of him. l
suppose you know how to think"
HE seems to me always to preach
very drawing sermons"
30, bother his sermons! / don't
know anything about his sermons now.
He is very good clergyman, and the
Dean thinks very much about hun"
81 am glad of that, Aunt Stanbury."
Then came the shock.
"Don't You think it would be a very J
good thing if you were to become Mrs. |
Gibson II
1t may be presumed that Miss Stan.
bury had assured herself that she could |
not make progress with Dorothy by
"beating about the BUSH" There was
an inaptitude in her niece to compre
bend the advantages of the situation,
which made some direct explanation
absolutely necessary. Dorothy stood
half smiling, half crying, when she
heard the proposition, her cheeks suffus-
ed with that pink color, and with both |
hands extended with surprise.
al have been thinking about it ever
since you've been here" said Miss
Stanbury.
81 think he likes Miss Trench" said |
Dorothy in whisper.
(Which Of themf l don't think he |
likes them at all. Maybe, if they go on
long enough, they may be able to toss up
for him. OF course they're after him;
but he'll be too wise for them. And he's
more of a fool than i take him to be if
he don't prefer you to them"
Dorothy remained quite silent. To
such an address as this it was impossi
BILE that abe should reply q word. IT.
was incredible to her that any man
should prefer herself to either of the
young women in question; but shs was
too much COMPOUNDED for the expres-
sion even of her humility. I
"At any rate you're wholesome, and
pleasant, and modest" said Miss Stan
bury.
Dorothy did not quite like being told
that she was wholesome; but, neverthe-
less, she was thankful to her aunt.
"Pll tell you what it is" continued
Miss Stanbury; 81 hate all mysteries,
with those love. Pve saved
two thousand pounds, which Pve put
you down for in my will. Now, if you
end, he can make it up together, IN give
you the mosey at once. There's no
knowing how often an old woman may
alter her viii; but when you've got a
thing, you've got it. Mr.. Gibson would
know the meaning of bird in the hand