Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-02-01

desirable by and by to put still fur
ther capital into it. Why should be
hindered from investing my own mo-
ney in what way it might do best. Of
course my wife and children-if |
ever have any-will reap the benefit
as much as | shall. However, he
wouldn't listen to me, so there was
nothing more to be said. He wouldn't
give in, and | wouldn't. told Geor-
giana exactly how the matter stood.
She's of age. asked her whether
she'd marry me without the old mans
consent. Poor girl she was in an
awful way. But she didn't dare to
do that. She shrunk from offending
her father, so there is no help for it
the things broken of, and | am not
to be married, it seems-this time, at
any rate
He spoke rather sorrowfully, but
still without the slightest trace of tenn
per. | endeavored to console him in
a commonplace sort of a way. 1t
was a difficult matter to know what
to say upon such an occasion, and
consolation at all times is apt to run
into a rather commonplace form.
He opened the small packet he had
been holding in his hand.
This is pleasant he said quickly,
here are all my letters to Georgiana.
All, and here is a little present l
gave her, sent back to me-
There were not many letters.
They were written, | could see, in
my friends usual bold, plain legible
hand. Their contents | could guess
little enough like conventional love
letters, probably-very unecstatic
compositions-yet simple aud to the
purpose, and unecstatic enough. The
present was ring-a large diamond,
heavily set in pure gold, just the val
liable, simple, substantial present
which | could have iancied Ned Stone
selecting for his betrothed.
/ suppose they'll expect me to send
back Georgiana's letters to her. he
said.
Undoubtedly
It's the usual way when engage
ments come to an. end
Certainly its the usual way
He rubbed his chin and seemed to
reflect a little.
Have a cigar he said presently,
and let Us talk about something else.
This is not the most agreeable subject
in the world. Tell me what you
have been doing with yourself lately
So we fell talking about this, that
and the other. Presently | went
away. As | went away he said
quietly:
i think | shall try to see Georgia
ma once more for a particular reason.
| did not ask what that particular
reason was and he did not tell me.
A few nights afterwards | saw him
again. He was at no time subject
much to change of mood or at any
rate seldom betrayed any variation of
that kind. Yet it struck me that, if
anything, he was in better spirits
than usual.
You didn't MENTION he said, what
| told you the other night-that my
engagement was broken OFF,
| explained that had not mention
ed it for a particular good reason. l
had not seen any person whom it
would interest to be informed of that
fact.
Its just as we'll, he said, because,
as it happens, the engagement isn't
broken of, or rather, its on again
Indeed ! I'm sure I'm very glad to
hear of it..
| told you | should try and see
Georgiana again. Well l knew that
she often went with her father and
other relations and friends to the
Geological gardens on Sunday.
could not call at old Warren's house
on Sunday. | could not call there
you know, because | understood that
was as good as kicked out of that
So went to the Geological. | have
a friend who is fellow, he gives me
ticket for Sundays whenever | ask
him-and | looked about for Georgia
ma. | soon discovered her with War
ren and lot of other people. She
saw me and understood by nv sigr
that | wanted to speak on the quiet
/ Well, she fingered behind little anC
when the rest Of the party went tt
look at the kangarcos she slipped will
me into the snake house. She looked
rather frightened and the tears stood
in her eyes.
So | put my arm round her-i
didn't matter to me who saw you
know-and told her there was no
thing to be alarmed at, and that | on
ly wanted to say word or two.
told her l was sorry | had not sen
her back her letters as | ought t.
have, but the plain fact of the matte
was | couldn't do it.
You love me still, then, Ned !? sh
said.
'Of course l do, Georgy,' l said
who's been telling you | don't?'
She began crying terribly.
Come, Georgy,' l said, let US ge
, married whether your papa likes it 0
not; only you say the word
G She didn't say the word. Poo
t child | do not think she could spea
l for crying; but she looked at me, an
Q she gave ever such little nod, an
then she began crying through he
tears. 1t was the prettiest sight yo
: ever saw. Of course l kissed her
}. and then | turned and who should
e standing close at my side out oil
l. Warren
/ Georgy gave little scream an
o then tried to make believe that W
o were looking at the boa constricto
h But Of course that didn't work, so
t said to old Warren in a CHEEKY sol
e of way, and putting out my han
IS cheerfully:
e Mr.. Warren, Georgy and | al
II going to get married; that's qui
is settled. But you and l may as we
7. be friends all the same. We'd mut
y rather have your consent than no
r Suppose you give it u.s.
70 II n uaC co octnpicha6 tbat hafnr