Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-15

/ pidce WHERE ne cOulu Stanu with his tall
figure in bold relief against the sky and
then he would gesticulate, swinging and
tossing his long arms as he declaimed from
Shakespeare or spouted LongfeilOw, Tenny-
son or Hood according to his humor; and
eliciting, sometimes tears, sometimes shouts
and shrieks of laughter. of course he soon
became popular among the ladies, some of
whom literally beset his steps, in endeayor-
ing to engross a large share of his sattentions.
| am not a woman of that stamp, and GER
tainly did not 90 one inch out of ms way
for him: but before left, it was evident
enough to me, that he sought opportunity
to approach me; 50 | was not particularly
surprised to see him at Newport three DAYS
after my own arrival there. Although he
soon became almost as much favorite at
the seaside as he had been among the noun
tains, he assumed somewhat grayer air,
and paid me undisguised, though unobtru-
siye attentions. As he was well up in liter
ature, liked my favorite authors, and had
seen much more of the Old World than |,
and was good talker, his conversation was
to me more than agreeable, it was down.
right delightful. In one respect he was not
quite 50 brilliant at Newport as on the
breezy hill-tops; he did not care to dance
IN fact he did not dance and he generally
managed to inyeigle me into tefe-d-tete
while the rest of our set were doing the
= mazy," though | several times determin-
ed not to allow myself to be thus monopo-
lized. As we progressed in intimacy he
told me something of his history. He said
that almost in boyhood he set out on the
career of a preacher; but being too yehem
ent his throat soon gave out and so, as he
had longing for adventure. he ayailed
himself of several opportunities for travel
ling in oriental lands, as well as various
others, on mission-work and for Bible socie-
ties During these travels he had picked up
a fair collection of curiosities, interesting
from their association with Scripture or an
tiquity, and with these and his facility of
speech he had managed to make a lecturing
tour both pleasant and profitable. Altogeth-
er he had contriyed to make a tidy pittance
for himself; and being tired of rowing,
wished to settle down and was looking about
to make choice of his locality IIe said he
had at first proposed to himself nothing
more than bachelors existence; but with
in few weeks past he had been growing
disgusted with that role-had discovered
that he was lonely-in short, that he wanted
a wife. and that his wife was none other
than myself, provided was free and could
content myself with him ard the modest
home he could offer told him that | was
not disposed to answer that question with
out some consideration anu a further ac
quaintance. l was going at once to visit my
uncle and if after two or three weeks of
absence. he felt disposed to write to me, he
might do SO. and | should reply according As
the tenor Of his letter and my more matured
thoughts might dictate. He has written
once and have answered his letter. Now,
does nv confession satisfy YOU, my best be-
loved compeers, or must beat my bosom and
knuckle my eyes to get up decent show OF
emotion, eh? -
Fair play. now. fair play. Bertha Ma
ior." said Mrs. Wylie, laughing and raising
a plump but shapely and wel-iewelled hand.
" Tell Us if you are engaged.
80. YES cried Miss Blossom So you must
tell Us if YOU are engaged
well, then. am not, replied Miss
Major with some emphasis bat suddenly
assuming an air of affected modeSty, she
put up her hands before her face and said
IN prim voice, - You see | am 50 dread
fully sensitive. couldn't bring myself to
marry a stranger, who does not like to come
up like good boy, and be examined and in
spected by all his future wife's relations.
Hather an unsentimental position for two
such ardent lovers; ex-cru-iatins, isn't
it?'
Now. the little reservation which Miss
Major didn't mention, was this. She had
notion that the gentleman in question might
have discovered that she had goodly bank
deposit. notwithstanding his talk about her
sharing his modest home and 50 she be
thought herself to try the effect OF giving
him 10 understand that her uncle's consent
was necessary before she could marry. She
had moreover invited him to come and make
the acquaintance Of this foster-father, pre-
vious to any further correspondence, but had
as vet received no response to her invita-
ton.
Mrs. Wylie was now called upon to give
her experience. which she did with all the
ease and decorum that might be expected in
her case. She said g Ladies, my story Is
short one. and has very little romance about
il. You know do not care for little ro-
mantle passages. | like gas-light, dancing
and suppers, diamonds, handsome establish
ments and distinguished acquaintance
in fact everything that goes to make up the
best societV. fne-looking men Of high-bred
manners among the rest. About the first Of
Auqust gentleman made his entrance
among us at Long Branch, whose proposes
ing appearance. aristOcratic bearing and
wonderful powers of conversation, made
bIm at once the admired of all beholders;
and the ladies were quite distracted about
him He could converse in French, Italian
/ .frrtaar q
conrtl Y graee. lie did not dance the round
dances. but he would move through a quad
rifle with such stately mien, that sudden
" all tn girls were seized with a passionate
liking fo.- square dances. To be handed to
sumner on his arm, was a triumph Tor the
evening still nobody could lind out VINO he
was. thou Oh there was a report gong, that
he had let ters to some of the highest OH
cials at W ashington. Before week had
passed knew that his eye was upon me
but. though we very soon came to something
like an und, erstanding, he had so much tact,
and aatter myself on having no less, that
we escaped observation, and carried on
courtship under the very noses OF those wo-
men and girls, quite unperceiyed. lie told
me that he had spent most OF his lie ABROAD,
although he was native American; tllat
he had been envoy to several foreign cities,
chiefly in the south of Europe. lie told me
frankly that he was not rich but nobody
need know that un less | chose, and he offer
ed to bring me satisfactory proof that he Is
not and never has been married. 1his PROOF
he is to forward or bring to me within SIX
weeks and | shall then give hm my hnal
answer. That IS aH.''
Not quite all, however for here Is men
tai reservation the third. Ms. Nyle did
not confess that she strongly 81 speeted the
truth. viz That this all-conq, ,lering-man
had turred the corner of fifty yeaI 3 that he
thought he was catching a rich, uueneum-
bered widow; one who had her money quite
ut her own disposal, without reference TO
guardians or trustees. She had not inform
ed him of one little fact that she had
children ; a son twelve years OF age, IN
quiet boarding school. daughter OF ten IN
another; that she could not dispo Sc oi any
property, and that all the wealth in which
she now revelled, would 90 to thes se child
ren whom they came of age or in case oil
tn ir death to their fathers relatives, leav-
ing her pittance of one thousand dollars a
year for life. She did not confess that she
thought such an altogether presentable maI',
who could speak so many languages. wo1ld
enhance her position in society, and would
be very desirable companion in the trip
she proposed to Europe then, as she said
to herself, they could have eight or nine
years Of expensive pleasures and luxurious
living, by which time she iancied she might
be content to live quietly on their united
means; for she reasoned thus concerning the
gentleman's income. lie must have some
thing rather handsome, or he could not
keep up appearances, as he does, and he
promises to show that he is no gambler, in
fact, that he is safe.
However, TO return to our three ladies
they found, on comparing notes, one or two
circumstances common to all of their admir-
ers each of whom was either foreigner
or what amounted to the same thing had