The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-05-06
S E L E 7 STORY
A MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURE

The sensation of the season at Swell
cove was Miss Arabella Wyshhone, the
rich heiress--such, at least, she passed
for. A wealthy aunt, in intirm health,
the story ran, had wiiled her an immense
fortune, OF which, any day, she might
become the mistress.s Quoted al nine
,teen, sheeloeked oldezs: but such anach-
ronisms are common in feminine chron-
ology. Her figure vas finnish, her
hair reddish, her eyes geayish, and not
quite parallel. If you don't fancy the
picture, we can only say you would
have passed for no Judge at Swellcove
Among the visitors at the "Cove' that
season, was nice young man from the
city. We need not describe more par
ticuiarly--to know one of these nice
young men is to know all. His name
was De Quincy Dothunter.
Mr.. Dothunter's business was genteel
ideness. BY his own account, he was
down on the right side of the books OF
rich uncle, whom the life tables didn't
give over five years to run, to say moth,
ing of the family gout, and o hopeful
contingency of apopleXy
How IN the world a young lady OF
Miss Wyshbones cleverness could tol.
crate such Il puppy as De Quincy Doth
unter, was the oft.expressed wonder oi
the crowd of envious competitors to
whom it was Obvious that that gentle
mans attention was more favorably re.
ceived than their own,
{ But women are law unto themselves
The fact is and We are content to state
it, letting The reason gu-thaU Miss
Wyshbone exhibited SO marked 4 pref
erehce for Mir Doiliuhter's society thai
that gentleman as good as had the field
TO himself aice T1 a H.
Both were too discreet to he precipi
tate. There was none Of that headione
faiing in love, which is never found il
polite society They had sat on the
sand and padded in the surf together
MANY times, before anything which
might he called of tender nature pass
ed between them And when Mr. Doth
unter did venture hint at the state oi
his feelings, the lady at once cut hin
short.
.sTbat is a matter first TO be discuss
ed between our relatives" she said.
Certainly, but ..t +.
"Come, can't hear another wore
now. My aunt will be down here to-
morrow, and if yohr uncle
Mr.. Doiiluntsf looked blank. az
"My rncle,'' he said, with some con-
fusion Of voice and manner--"the, fact
is, my nncle,is SO chained down to busi-
ness--his nose so kept to the mercantile
grindstene--you know how it is with
these old besides, he is con-
firmed invalid, confined most Of the
time to his room
"Very well, sir" replied the firm
young lady; It'll he and my aunt have
talked the affair over, I can have moth
ing to saw @ es '
Mr.. Dothunter's face frightened at
length, -' S
,""What time could your aunt. see my
uncle 7" he asked.
ANY time after to-morrow--say FIVE
O'Clock" a.. --,s.9.,.s 81, ..,..,-si..s..s :
II will return to the city this even
ing" said Mr.. Dothunter, ".'and make q
personal appeal to my uncle"
Mr.. Dothunter took his leave on the
next train for the city --el q
At the time appointed, Mr.. Dothnn-
ter's uncle, sprpcely attired elderly
gentleman. called at the principal Swell
cove hotel. and having sent up bis cal d,
was duly ushered into the presence OF a
genteel looking elderly lady.si.- .1 -.
Bows and compliments exchanged,th the
business Of the meeting was at once
proceeded to:lUq q 'a.@
"My nephew, madam" the gentleman
began, uniforms me that his happiness
depends on the answer you: shall give to
the .dsmand, which he has deputed me
to make. of your niece,s hand"
''Ths is too grave a matter to be de-
cided hastily" she said. "Arabella
you see, is.so very youne--and then,
the fortune she will, at no distant day
inherit" A hacking cough interrupt
ed the sentence
"And my nepheH's prospects," warm
ly broke in the old gentleman, "mnst
people will cali not inconsiderable.s Tie
house of Trett d Co, of which L have
the honor to be the head, is not, ] be
lieve, unknown in commercial circles
My nephew viii come in for all I have
and very soon, too, fear Mr. prret,
added, making a not very successful eff
fort to look fraa. rr-7.,, gss.-.s,.I Gel
3 ''The importance OF, such a Junior
makes deliberatiulr all the more neces-
sary," replied the lady | would sug
gest at least years delay" ' FL
"A year, Mr Trett fairly bounded
in his chair Had he heen himself the
lover, his disappointment could scarce
| ly have been more manifest. "GooC
heavens! consider, madam! My nephew
is Of an impatient temper, and if you
niece loves him as he loves her, they
will certainly be driven to elope, ant
what would you do then, madam p
"Of course / should forgive her
poor dear-she is all l have left in The
world hut then it would quite kill mt
if she acted so" said the old lady cry
ing and coughing together. !
Mr.. Trelt's eyes fairly glistened will
pleasure. The answer to his last ques
ton, which he had waited for with ca
gerness, was plainly satisfactory
Finding the aunt's resolution inaexi
BILE, but expressing the hope she nigh
he induced to alter, Mr.. Trett did no
Iprolong his visits. at
| Next day Mr. Dothunter rushed wild
! ly into Arahella's presence. On hel
cheek were traces of tears.
II know the worstw he cried 'Fly
with me, dearest, beyond the reach o
the cruelty that would defer our hopes.
Sohbing, she leaned her head upol
This shoulder.
In few hurried words he consolet
her; and in less time than such an affai
was ever planned before, a rendezyou.
was fixed and before another hour hat
elapsed, the twain were one flesh. ~
| What was to be donenext3 IA