Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-09-20

am not ashamed to confess sought OBJ
livion in brandy and water.
AT breakfast, Tuesday morning, I had
to avoid the grins and suppressed winks
of two faces. Immediately on it's con-
clusion, before the birds of prey could
seize me, Iasked Mary, the third sister,
to take walk. She eagerly assented,
while the elders glowered at me, the one
ferociously, the other venomously.
Mary was neat, trim-looking girl,
with brown hair and eyes, her features
being neither pretty nor the contrary.
We set out in the direction of the
mountains, and for a short time the
distressing visages of iron-mouthed
Alice and skim-milk Grace faded from
me.
On our return, Mary stepped upon a
round stone, and instantly sank to the
ground with a small scream.
GIVE sprained my ankle" she
moaned.
Spoechless with dismay, stood look
ing at her; but my gaze softened her
no more than wall of stone. She in
sisted that 1 should carry her home,
and was compelled perforce to take
her in my arms, and stagger on the
best way I could.
Toiling over the rough road, I could
not help noticing that her mouth was
beautifully formed, and that her lips
were ripe and tempting; SO some fend
entered into me, and I kissed her.
"Ahw she murmured in my ear,
tickling me furiously. Without your
encouragement, how could I ever have
revealed my love for you? Oh, Angus
tus, you will always love me as now, will
you not ?"
Tho Precipitation broke out on my
forehead. Dumb with horror, I let her
drop; but she lit on her feet in man.
ner that showed the sprain to be more
fictitious than serious.
She grasped my arm, assuring me in
a way meant to be encouraging that
she knew 1 had loved her from the
first, that her passion for me had been
instantaneous, and that we should
make the happiest couple in the world
when once married.
Married!
Groaning internally, I reached home
as soon as possible, and fled wildly to
my room, locking the door behind me.
I was becoming desperate under the
accumulated evils, and looked forward
to the morrow with shuddering fear,
for the announcement of my engage
ment with Mary had also been deferred.
During the afternoon, I stole out
cautiously. 1 had ordered that the
carriage should be ready, and hoped
that all the family had disappeared.
Coming from the stables, buried in
meditation, / ran plump upon number
four-Louisa. She was short, fat and
blowsy, with a greasy smile, and tow
head. Had 1 seen her in time, 1 would
have fled, but it was now too late.
"Yes, Augustus, darling" she cried
clutching my hand, as I shivered with
alright, for I knew by sad experience
what was coming, Yes, Augustus dar
ling, I observed your looks this morn
ing, I comprehended from your speak
ing eyes all that you wished me to know
and for that reason 1 remained here
leaving the others to go driving.
knew you would come to tell me YOU
love; and have no fear, Augustus-it il
fully reciprocated.'
Madness took possession Of me
Good heavens I could go nowhere with
out some demon springing from tht
ground to claim me as her own.
pleaded for postponement, of course
and obtained it with some difficulty.
At dinner I had to encounter the
sidelong glances of four; and as, sc
soon as the meal was over, they made
simultaneous rush at me, Twas en-
abled to slip to one side, and flee
The girls searched for me through the
grounds, while 1 crept into the library
and barricaded the door. When my
eyes rested upon the Fee-jee war club
entertained the idea of Draining my.
self, as an awful warning to my .fancees
Cha! haD; but my attention was attracted
by the sound of breathing in a corner.
l looked, and there, sure enough, was
dress.
"They come upon me from every