Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-02-20
A HASTY MARRIAGE.

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Tilted No gentler name could
: given to the fact. George Goodwin ha
been fairly Tilted. Cool, sensible En-
! lily Wardour had turned him off at Il
eleventh hour, when he had expecte
9 to lead her to the altar in few week
with the plea that she had not know
. her own mind, and had discovered ths
she loved another. 1t was crut
blow to poor George and he took it t
heart So sadly, indeed, that the yer
next day found him at the house of
neighbor.
The weather and crops occupied Nh
Jones and his visitor for some time, MI
Jones introducing these interestin
topics. Rather abruptly, however, tn
visitor announced that he had some
thing particular to say. Mrs. Jone
rose with her daughter Layinia, bu
was asked to stay, so that Lavinia, wa
sent from the room aloneas if she haC
been child. She went and sat dowr
in the kitchen not whit resentful.
George Goodwin entered at once OF
his mission. He had come to ash
leave of Lavinia's parents to make
their daughter an offer of his hand
He did not say his heart.
Mrs. Jones trembled lest her hus.
band should discourage this cool suit
or. He seemed about to do so. In
stead of a ready assent, he began to
say it was very sudden, and he did not
like to part with the child; he ended
by turning very red and blowing his
nose. Mrs. Jones had looked hard at
him. She now interposed, saying, of
course, it was sudden, and certainly
they did not want to lose Lavinia, who
was pefect treasure; but provided
that she was willing, and thought she
would be happy, they should not stand
in her way. She must leave them
some time, and they would be glad to
see her in the keeping of so worthy a
man.
True, true" murmured poor Mr..
Jones.
Then George Goodwin asked to see
Lavinia there and then, and Mr.. Jones
assented. His wife would have secured
time to prepare her daughters mind,
but there was no help for it. Layinia
was called in.
But George was otquite so thoug ht-
less as to propose to the girl in the
presence of her parents. He had
walked up to the window and seen a
narrow strip of ground called the
garden, " and into this heinvited LAWN
ia without ffetext. He was not man
who used pretexts; he was truth it
self.
1T is not worth looking at" said
Lavinia, alluding to the garden, when
he had led her out.
II did not come to look at it" he
replied. Il came to speak to you.
Do you think you could like me we'll
enough to marry me ?"
She looked startled. Il dou't know"
she stammered.
You don't dislike me ?" he asked.
''Oh, nc" she made haste to answer.
She had admired him greatly as
Emily's lover. He had been one of
her heroes but his wooing and the
manner of it disturbed all her notions
of heroic action.
"Then you must try and like me" I"
he continued. II think | could make
you happy enough" he added.
She looked wistful. DO you love
me ?" she asked.
1t puzzled him-the simple equestion.
the wistful look. 1t almost turned
him from his purpose.
You are very sweet" he answered,
"and | am unhappy"
Here was romance at last; to bestOw
her sweetness on one who was unhap-
py, that would be delightful.
"Oh, waita little. Papa
Il have asked him already, and he
gave me leave to speak to you. Shall
he settle the rest for you p"
Yes" she murmured, under her
breath, hardly knowing what she said,
and not knowing in the least all she
did in saying that one little word.
He kissed her, almost fercely, some
thing like compunction in his heart,
and babe her goodbye in the garden,
leaving her there in state of strange
bewilderment.
"Lavinia will be very poorly provid-
ed, / fear" Mr.. Jones said, assuming
delicacy she did not feel. Il doubt
if we can get for her even what will be
absolutely necessary on so short no.
tice."
Get whatever is necessary and
proper for the occasion, Mrs. Jones,
was the quick and anticipated answer.
Il leave it, as Lavinia has left it en-
tirely in your hands," and so saying
he took his leave
Three years passed away. Lavinia
Goodwin is resting on sofa, looking
thin and pale and very pretty, in a
white pink, "ridiculously fine for q
farmers wife," as has been often re-
marked of her since her marriage,
some adding, spitefully, "She cares for
nothing but dress, and George Goodwin
is fool to let her do as she does"
He has been very kindand indulgent
to her. At first that seemed enough.
She was happy wandering about the
sunny slopes of the farm or making i'm
provements in the house and garden.
She was abundantly happy in the
peace and plenty of her home-a peace
and plenty she had never known be-
fore. She was more than happy, this
generous child, in giving to her hearts
content, supplying her parents with all
the luxuries the farm produced-fresh
butter, new laid eggs, fruit, flowers,
vegetables, poultry. She had noticed
that her husband gave her less Of his
time than he might have given her ;
that he caressed her carelessly, as he
might pet animal that he gave her
too much of her own way, and showed
an utter want of interest in what she
was doing.
George, too, had his own discomfort
He had begun to feel the extravaganza
of his young wife, and to rouse himself
to its consequences. His sisters had
more than once spoke to him on this
subject, and he had silenced them BY
saying, Its no fault of hers, and
don't want to trouble her"
George Goodwin soon began to open
his eyes to the cost, but still he did
not interfere. He was afraid Of hurt
ing because ne did not love and, be-
sides, he had promised Lavinia indul-
gence, and indulgent he would be if il
ruined him. 1t is not unlikely to do
this.
A crisis had arrived with the arriy.
al of the second baby. George Good
win had invited his sister to the house
and Mr.. and Mrs. jones had invited
themselves. The house was full, and
the sisters stood aghast at the expendi,
ture which Layinia directed through
her mother. Itwas nothing but spend
spend, spend, from morning till night
nobody knew how much, for it was moi
ready money. In the kitchen extrava
gance had merged into waste-Waste