The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-10-20
THE ImPRomPTU MARRIAGE

ous, if you can, for five minutes. Pray,
pray, cease this trifiing, which is but
cruel playing with my feelings, and let
us treat this subject as it deserves-so-
berly and seriously"
'.Well, there, them" cried the laugh
ing, blackreyed girl to whom Charles
Westerly spoke. ''There, then; is that
grave enough? See, the corners of my
mouth are duly turned down, and my
eyes rolled up. and am as sober as q
patient who has caught sight of the den
lists instruments. Do I suit you SOP"
''You suit me anyhow, and you know
itwell, you witchl" cried Charles, gazing
with smile at the pretty face puckered
he was not to be driven from his point,
as he resumed gravely, after pause:
''The time hos come, Susy, when I feel I
have q right to demand an explicit an
swer TO my suit. You have trifed with
my earnest feeling long enough. I have
grown restless under my fetters."
s'Shake them off, Charleyl" interrupt
ed the saucy girl, with defiant toss of
her head, which plainly said, "I defy
you to do it."
II cannot, Susy, and you know it,"
replied the hapless lover, impatiently.
'"That being the case." said Susy,
"take my advioe-wear them gracefully,
and don't pull and jerk 80; it only makes
them hurt you."
The young man turned away, and
walked up and down the room. evidently
frotting and fuming internally. Susy
meantime, looked out of the window and
yawned.
Charles continued his moody walk.
"Ohl what q beautiful bird is on the
lilac tree!" cried Susy, suddenly. "Do
You come and see it."
window, and looked ont.
Don't you think, Charley" said
'Suay, laying her hand on his arm, and
looking up eagerly in his face, "don't
you think you could manage to-
"What, Susyp" asked Charles, all his
tenderness awakened by her manner
"What?"
Drop pinch of salt on his back2"
returned the provoking girl, with an Of
fectation of simplicity; "for then, you
know, you could easily catch it!''
His answer was to turn angrily away.
His walk this time was longer than be-
fore, and his cogitations were more earn
est; for he did not heed any of Susy's
artless devices to allure his notice. At
last, he stopped abruptly before her, and
said:
'Susy, for three long years I have
been your suitor, with neither profession
of love or promise of marriage on your
part OfteD as have demanded to know
your sentiments to me, you have always
coquettishly refused ME an answer. This
state of things must cease. love you
better than my life, but I will no longer
be your plaything. Tomorrow you are
going away, to be absent for months,
and if you cannot, this very day, throw
aside your coquetry, and give me an ho-
nest yes for my answer, l shall consider
that have received no., and act ac-
cordingly."
''And how would that be? What would
you do?" asked Miss Susy, curiously.
''Begin by tearing your false and
worthless image from my hearth cried
Charles, furiously.
''It would be q curious picce of bust
ness, Charley; and you would not sue
ceed either" said Susy.
II should and would succeed" said
Charles, "as you shall see, if you wish,
cruel, heartless grip
.'But don't wish, Charley dear-I
love, dearly love, to have you love me,
said Susy.
"Why, them" cried the foolish youth,
quite won over again, "why, then, dear
est Susy. will you not consent?"
''Remember said liked to be loved" "
replied Susy; II 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?'
"Three long years" replied Charles.
Neatly and accurately quoted, Char
ley. But you know my cousin Rachael
was only won after five years courtship.
You don't suppose I am going to rate
myself any cheaper than she did, do you F:
Suppose we drop this tiresome subject
for two years; perhaps by that time
may be able to work myself up to the
falling-in-love point-there is no know
ing what wonders time may effect"
''If you are not in love now, you will
never be, replied Charles, sturdily; "and
I will have my answer now or never"
"Never, then," laughed Susy. Bui
she had gone step too far. Her often
severely tried lover was now too much in
earneat to bear her trifling any longer.
Never be it, thenr' he cried; and