Middletown transcript., 1875-08-21

health very atfectionately, ana soon DE-
came engrossed. apparently in the con
vcrsation that was started, but secretly
eyeing his intended bride, and he con-
fessed to himself that the enthusiastic
description he had given his friend
Ralph, did not belic her. Or scarcely dc
her justice. Just then the door opened
and graceful young lady, with a great
abundance Of golden curls and very
large eyes, walked in.
'My-my niece. Mr.. Cover; Mr..
Cover, Mics Lee," observed Mr.. La
fourn and Miss Lee acknowledged il
with slight, but nevertheless, grace
full bow. 5o
Mr.. Cover was enraptured, and the
contrast only made his bride-oxpectant
more ridiculous; however, he deter
mined to act his part, and, IS . chance
presented itself, he whispered in modu-
lated tones to Miss Lucille that he hoped
to become better acquainted with her,
though he hated himself for it two min
utes after, when he saw Miss Lees mis-
chief-loving eyes resting upon him, and
realized that she had heard him too.
Day after day he called. and proper
tionally he fell in love with laughing
Nell, and fell out with Miss Lucille;
while she became. apparently, despe-
rately enamored of him. and wrote him
poetry by the sheet. expressing her
everlasting affection, which he assured
his friend Ralph she meant to mean
oldness Of her love, for he was sure she
was invented in Noah's Ark.
In vain he tried to make love to
Nell. She accepted no attentions from
her cousins lover, SO she assured him,
and left him more despairing than
before.
At last he could not endure it any
longer, and accordingly sought an in
terview with Mr.. Lafourn.
so you have come to propose for
my daughter. Mr.. Gower?' querried
the gentleman, when he was ushered
10.
NO, sir, l have not he emphati-
cally replied. I have come to make
. confession Ito ask your forgiveness,
and crave boon You know how yeu
came to make me the offer which you
did. Well, having been brought up to
believe myself elfindependent Of the world,
and to study profession more for plea
sure than aught else, after finding my
self bereft Of all hopes. and poor, I
gladly accepted Of your proposal. I
scorned the idea of love; / vowed l
loved my case better than any woman
on earth, and though ] was informed
your daughter was-was-
"A scraggy old maid,' slyly inter-
posed Mr.. Lafourn. Bart blushed at
his own remark, but proceeded:
I determined, provided she would
accept me, to marry her for her money.
There, sir, is the truth, and l know I
cannot but be lowered in your estima-
ton! Since / have met your niece,
and T've--
Fallen in love with her, observed
the father, aiding him along.
Yes. sir, exactly so; and l am viii
ling. if she will have me. to give up all
ideas Of wealth obtained BY such mean
practice, and 60 away and work for
her. Do you think there is any hope ?
Will you forgive me ?
Certainly he responded. L should
not want my daughter welded to any
man from such mercenary motives. I'll
call Nell and see what she says And
suiting the action to the word be sum-
moned Nellie.
This gentleman has withdrawn his
claim to your cousins hand, be OBJ |
served, taking Nellie by the hand, and
actually has the audacity to ask for
yours. What shall I tell him?'
And l am poor, Nellie CALCULATED
Bart; but you shall see that 1 am no
conceited jaokanape. will 60 away
and commence the practice Of my pro-
fession if you win give me hope
Nellie looked at her father through |
bushes.
But would be a penniless bride
And All the dearer. If you are not
worth working for, you are not worth
having
If, .then.' she returned slyly, you
wait . year and do not change your
mind, and if uncle is willing
Which he will be- interrupted the
gentleman.
The ruse was still kept up. Mr.. La
fourn gave him letters Of introduction
to several influential friends, and he
went away and set up work in earnest.
For . while he was successful at last
his talents began to be appreciated, and
he was on a fair way to prosperity. At
the end Of the year he wrote and told
Mr.. Lafourn how he had succeeded,
and asked if he would have any objec-.
ton to his wedding taking place then