Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-08-09

thing of that kind to support myself
aud i have such an appetite !"
Mr.. Parker smiled in spite of himself
and evidently looked upon his niece al
one who would readily yield to his ex
pressed will.
"One question more, uncle. Suppose
he shouldn't fancy your humble niece
and conclude to pay his addresses else
where? ?"
81 should never speak to the puppy
again"
"And you wouldn't disinherit me,
then, uncle"
"of course not, you gypsy. Itwould
not be your fault"
1t would be very Notifying to have
him reject me" said Matilda, demurely
!" Is there anything he particularly dis
likes in a woman, that you know off"
| once heard him say he couldn't
bear literary woman" said her uncle,
after some reflection. gall sorts OF
strong minded women are his aversion.
But then you know, Matte, that you are
not strong minded"
Thank you, uncle. That is as much
as to say that / am weak minded.
No such thing, you gipsey. But
there's one thing more / have to tell you,
and that is, that | shall not be here to
entertain Mr.. jenkins. / am called
away to New York on business which
will detain me the full length of his stay.
SO you will have to entertain him your
self. Mind and play your cards well,
and l shall expect to find the marriage
day fixed when l return"
"Oh dear, what shall I do with the
horrid man for whole week ?"
| dare say you will be dead in love
with him when get back. You NAV
remember me to him when he arrives,
and tell him how much / regret not be-
ing here to welcome him."
Yes, uncle, I'll remember"
That night Matilda kept awake for
some time concocting plan by which
she might offend the prejudices of the
expected visitor and throw the burden
OF her refusal upon him For she we'll
knew that if he once proposed, her un-
Gle would be seriously angry if she re
jected him, and very possibly he would
carry out the threat to which he had
given utterance.
1t was about noon of the next day,
that tall man of serious aspect ascend
ed MIR. Parker's front door step and rang
the bell.
The young lady was by no means
looking her best as she joined her visitor
in the drawing room. Her hair was
loosely arranged, her collar awry, and
there was very perceptible spot of ink
on her fingers.
"Mr. jenkins, l presume" she re-
marked.
The gentleman bowed and looked Gu
riously at his entertainer.
" And presume am addressing Miss
Parker ?"
Our heroine inclined her head in the
affirmative.
" 1 hope your respected uncle is well"
said Jenkins, in the measured tone of
young man who is old beyond his years.
| wouldn't marry such a poke for
the world" was the not over compliment
tary reflection of Matilda.
My uncle regrets very much not be-
ing able to meet you, but he was called
to New York on business. / trust, how
ever, that | shall be able to entertain
you."
" That | do not doubt" said the visit
or, with slow attempt at gallantry.
am inclined to think he will before
he goes" thought Matilda.
Looking at her fingers, she remarked
quietly, as though she for the first time
observed the stain of ink,
:" hope you will excuse the appear.
ance of my fingers, but 1 have been
writing all the morning, and i couldn't
remove all the stains of the ink"
You were writing letters presume"
said Stephen.
"Oh, no. not at all. l was writing
an article on 'Woman's Rights for
Woodruff and Clafin's Weekly.
jenkins started uneasily.
" suppose you are in the habit of
seeing that paper" said she.
NO." said he, stiffiy.
"Ah, you don't know what you lose
composed and edited entirely by fe-
males. But perhaps
Matilda interrupted herself to ring
The bell.
Jane" said she to the servant, you"
mag 60 up stairs and bring down man.
lscript which you will find on my writ
ng table"
:" A what ma'am ?"
A sheet of paper with some writing