Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-05-31

during the first week of Mr.. Percy's
visit, and narrate the particulars of an
occurrence that took place the day be-
fore his departure from the home of
the Grimwoods, and which is very i'm
portant in this story, as it not only
changes the entire hopes and prospects
OF the three old maids, but also deyel-
opes into o fact a suspicious reader may
have entertained regarding NJ. Percy.
The two elder Of the three Misses
Grimwood had been "laying their
heads together" ever since the advent
Of their cousin at Grove Place to the
capture the heart, the hand, and the
fortune of the genteel and agreeable
Percy for their younger and more hand
somc-it is not saying much-sistcr
Cornclia.
After discussion, that lasted very
long time, and in which an immense
amount of wisdom was displayed, it
was at length decided that the next
day-that being the day before Percy S
visit was expected to terminate the
two Misses Grimwood should contrive
to have Cornelia and her cousin left
alone together for a sufficient length
of time for him to propose, she to ac.
cept, and the day to be settled between
them, when the happy ceremony that
would make them husband and wife,
was to transpire.
To make as sure thing as possible,
Miss Cornelia was called in and given
great many instructions how to act
and what to say by the eldest Miss
Grimwood who, having been engaged
for the last fifteen years in the fruitless
endeavor to get married, were emf
nently qualified to give such advice.
The programme was accordingly car
ried into effect, and the next day found
Cornelia and Percy seated alone to-
sether in the arbor side by side, under
as favorable circumstances for popping
the question as probably have ever been
recorded in the history Of any love-mak-
ing. .,., .,.
"What a lovely day it is, cousin Per-
cy,' said Cornelia, glancing sideways
at tho young man. "Ihe gale watts
to my noso the smell Of flowers, and
and d-how swcetly the hens cackle It
seems just like the day you came.
What made you send such an outland-
ish, ragged fellow with your letter, dear
Percy-he was awfully horrid and vul-
gar ..t A,
Indeed said Percy, politely.
"What did he do or say, pray ?"
"W What question, Percy, for you to
ask. Why, he was ragged, and so, of
course, was no gentleman. But let us
not talk about tits so awful. Let us
converse about something else."
"Well, said Percy, calmly, "what
shall it be, love?'
"Love, repeated Cornelia, as coquet-
tishly as her age would permit, "Ain't
you ashamed of yourself to call me
love? Oh, dear Percy, am not your
love, am I?
"No," said Percy, smiling slightly
to himself, you are not"
This reply, so different from what
she had hoped, somewhat disconnected
Miss Grimwood at first, however, she
soon rallied, and came ngain to the
charge. nh. ... .. r.~
"And must you leave tomorrow,
dear Percy?' she said drawing nearer,
and accidently, of course, laying her
hand ON his. Must this parting be
so soon? Must-must the cords that
have united us in our friendship, be
severed by the knife of absence, oh,
dear Percy ..
They must" said Percy, with a
stoicism against all these Establishments.
that would have done credit to phil
osopher.
Miss Cornelia felt that something
desperate must be performed, or hor
chances for getting Percy's hand~and
consequently his fortune, which was,
of course, the chief point to be gained
would fall through.
A little right management at the
proper time might effect her object,
on the other hand, slight error in
speech or manner might ruin her entire
hopes and prospects. U. 49,
1t was delicate point, and she
felt it.
"Cousin Percy" said she, looking at