Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-02-06

house. Rachel and her husband decided to
60, and although | tried to decline, yet in
order to escape their continued opportunities
promised 10 accept the initiation. only
saw Rosa once again before the party, and
then wished more than ever that l had not
promised to 60, as every time met her only
made II harder and harder to keep her out
OF my thoughts.
When the party came of found it very
brilliant affair. The company was not large,
being composed mostly Of friends who came
to congratulate Rosa on her safe return from
her Journey. Mr.. Collins was there very
gay and dashing in his manners, with plen-
ty of conceit TO sustain him. Col. Merriam
himself was present He seemed somewhat
Reserved and decidedly aristocratic in his
bearing. Mr. Merrill gave me an intro
duction to him, and conversed some little
time with him. | had also an introduction
to most Of the others present. Conversation
and amusement soon become general Rosa
never appeared more superbly than she did
on that occasion. Among those present was
Miss Adelaide Lamere, cousin of Lucius
Collins. She was gay, dashing, beautiful
featured girl, year or two older than Rosa
Rosa never liked her much but she had in.
vited her on Lucius' account. In fact, Ad-
alaide was doing her best to break up the
match between Lucus and Rosa, in order to
secure him for herself
Lueius was what is called great hector.
He delighted in nothing more than to vex
Rosa, and then he would have good time
making up with her. Since her return from
the South he had practiced this until she had
become really and justly annoyed by it. On
this particular occasion he was in Just the
spirit to try it again. So he paid his atten-
tions almost exclusively to Adelaide laugh
ing, joking and promenading with her. He
carried this to such au extent that the whole
company noticed it.
saw Col Merriam was not pleased. He
was very proud of his beautiful daughter,
and any slight to her touched him. The
oonstraiut which was evident at the com.
mencement Of the evening had now worn off.
Conversation became spirited and the guests
were full of enjoyment Lucius aud Ada
laide were promenading across one end Of
the drawing room aud laughing in a manner
that attracted the attention of all who were
scattered about in groups looking on.
CHANGED to be standing near Rosa when some
one turned to her and said
| Il don't see, Rosa, but you will have to
give up all claim to Mr.. Collins. You see
Adelaide has supplanted you entirely"
| saw in an instant that Rosa's pride was
deeply stung by this remark and her father:
not less so. The hot blood rushed into Ro-
sa's face. 1t was but for an instant, howev.
er, for instantly Strengthening up with the
dignity Of queen, she replied, proudly:
That is all right She is welcome to
him if she wants him." Then to conceal
her real feelings she turned to me and plac
ing her hand in mine, she said loud enough t.
be heard all over the room
This is leap year, Mr.. Wallace, Are
: you ready to be married now ?"
; Certainly, Miss Merriam, | replied, i
} it is agreeable to you, and there is any on,
here to perform the ceremony"
, " This gentleman will perform it, think,
said she, bowling with the same dignity to a
fine looking, oldsh gentleman directly il
front of US.
Yes, will marry you, if you desire it,
replied the gentleman.
: BY this time the eyes of the whole compa
ny were fixed on us. Every one understood
. it at once A mock marriage would be such
sport and afford so much amusement, ant
then it would be turning the joke on Collin
D so completely that all were pleased with thu
idea. Col Merriam looked on delighted
5 He was proud to see that his daughter ha,
+ spirit enough to resent an insult, and tur
: the scale so completely on Collins, aud h
D hoped it would teach Collins lesson. s
the company looked gravely on and the gen
a tleman performed the ceremony with oil
{ solemnity and pronounced US man aud wife
9 By the time the ceremony was completed
/ Collins looked decidedly crest-fallen. For
few minutes he was subjected to a complet
y storm Of rallery. When the mirth ha'
n somewhat subsidized, one Of the party spOk
{ out and said "That was the best moe
e marriage | ever saw performed"
o 6" Mock marriage What do you mean b
}, that, RI" demanded the gentleman who ha
:. performed the ceremony.
: "Why, mean just what say" rsturne
y the other 81 mean that it was done q
= soemnly as though it had been the real thin
o and no sham"
It "No sham Did you take that to be
It mock marriage, sir ?"
y Certainly Nobody considered it any
>. thing else"
d You greatly mistake, then replied ii
g gentleman. 81 am authorized by law
It perform marriages. and this couple are
e much man and wife as the laws Of Mass
it chusetts are capable of making them"
N 1t would be difficult to picture the col
g sternatioI which this unlooked-for announc,
1t ment produced. Rosa would have fallen
lie she had not been supported ard assiStC
if from the room. Colonel Merriam was a
le most speechess and Collins was indgna
e. and raved furiously. The party immed
lie ateIy broke up, and the guests went home
m talk over this novel event.
y II would be equally difficult to portrO
e. my feelings went homo and retired
10 my room immediately When | went to h
e. party | would have given worlds had tn
y. been mine to give, if could have been su
II that Rosa Merriam would sometime be n
IN wife. And now she was mine almost beto
n was aware of it. Yes, she was mine, i
n deed, as far as the law was concerned.
So had gained the coveted prize, was ever
cd obtain and enjoy il?
IL CHAPTER II.
The Courtship.
of did not sleep that night. Who cou
,el have slept under such circumstances.
al the breakfast table Rachel and her husba
a talked il over and gave me their opinion &C
ed corning it. They said it was all done
~ sport, and the only honorable course for
ar. to pursue was to relinquish all claim to !
to and allow her quietly to obtain a diyOr
MT They would not have me do anything Il
at would appear the least dishonorable abe
it.
d, / heard them through, bat made no rel
,-hat.yar tvaa fh;nk;n0 Co fhous