The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-12-08
Selerf Shr!y.
A FIatteling Renaissance.
lccNcLUsIoN.I
Ill.

The next morning we started early, in.
tent on the wholesale slaughter of part
ridges: and on this occasion Fred hurt
his hand so severely as to incapacitato
him from joining our future expeditions;
in fact, every possible combination OF
circumstances favorable to my advance
ment in the good graces of Mr Merrick
seemed TO surround me. TO say what
an effort it required to submit checrfuly
to his perpetual presence would be i'm
possible. He appeared after little to
regard my continual companonship as
matter of course; and so well had / act
ed my part, that the man actually be-
lieved l enjoyed his society. Presuming,.
therefore, on my established popularity,
1 ventured casually, on an occasion that
appeared to be favorable, to introduce
the subject of his niece into one Of our
conl ersations.
"Ah," said he, and his face grew hard
instantly, BELLA requires to be watched
closely. She is so honest and noble
minded herself, that she cannot under
sumo tire merurnury designs the -t'..t-'
teifles that flutter about her But j
never lose sight Of her; / am always
there to warn off artful attentions, and
keep would-be suitors at bay. am al
ways there, and l shall be always there;
but" he added, changing his tone, which
had been growing excited, sit is well we
are free from such intruders at present.
l have never seen so little of my niece
as during your visit. You have made
me forget myself and her, but then it is
orly once in q lifetime that one may
meet such coDgenial spirit as yours !;
and, as for Fred, Bella knows-and he
would not dare now," ,"-he stopped with
a growl.
Mr. Merrick was then aware of Clay
toms secret engagement; this accounted
for what had already somewhat puzzled
me-his apparent indifference to the
young and fascinating lawyers constant
tcte a -tete with his niece but his marked
emphasis on the word nou solved the in
congruity ,and also betrayed what would
have been his tactics, had he not felt Sc
cure; and yet such knowledge argued q
more intimate association with Fred's af-
fairs than I should have expected from
man whose present hospitality was
founded on thirty years-ago acquaint
anceship with his father; but, on refec-
ton detected it as an act of generosity
on the part of my friend, who had evi-
IDENTIFY taken the old man into his conf
dence, to set his mind at ease, and leave
him perfectly free to be won over by
me.
So time wore on, and,a the day fixed
for our departure approached,l began to
feel trifle qualmish, in spite of the un-
deniable favor shown me by Mr.. Mer.
rick. 1t was all very well to have Sc.
cured the uncle-if had secured him
but was certain of securing the niece ?
had scarcely exchanged half a dozen
words with her Old Merrick had re-
morselessly absorbed every second of
my time--the covers all day, mineralogy
and chess all the evening, till the very
sight of a chess board generated nau-
sea that have never since got rid of;
and the suspicion that the lady had been
too much overlooked in our calculations
suddenly struck me with an uncomforta-
BILE sensation of doubt
l determined to speak to Fred, and
seized the opportunity that evening, when
Miss Etling had retired,to propose cigar
on the terrace-a proposition to which
Fred readily consented. The case was
speedily represented, and Fred's answer,
as usual, concise.
"You have been admirable he asser.
ted, "and deserve, must admit, i'm
mense credit for so fully carrying out
our plans and feel that cannot con-
gratulate myself or you too heartily
Now, perceive the result; the old fellow
swears by you, and l have drawn Miss
Ef1ing's attention to the high opinion en-
tertained of you by her uncle. OF course,
to alter your line of conduct, would be
to destroy everything. You would be
accused of yuse, suspected of inten-
tions, and summarily elected. Consist
ency, my dear fellow, believe me, unva-
rying consistency is your only course
unremitting devotion to the ogre; deli
cate diflidence toward the niece; and on
the morning of our departure, when the
near prospect of losing his congenial
spirit, as he calls you, has unnerved our
friend, solemn interview in the library,
formal proposal, and you return to
town an engaged man! Is it not as clear
as daylight ? straightforward anG inev-
liable in every point, because so simple.
You retain your pedestal, remain con-
sistent, and the result comes about quite
naturally, through and in consequence of
that very consistency"