The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1875-02-05
A HAsTY MARRIAGE.

A HASTY MARRIAGE.
Tilted ! No gentIer name could be
given TO the fact. George Goodwin had
been fairly Tilted. Cool, sensible Emily
Wardour had turned him off at the
eleventh hour, when he had expected TO
lead her to the altar in few weeks, with
the plea that she had not known her own
mind, and had discovered that she loved
another. 1t was a cruel blow to poor
George and he took it to heart. So sad
ly, indeed, that the very next day found
him at the house of a neighbor.
The weather and crops occupied Mr.
Jones and his visitor for some time, Mr..
Jones introducing these interesting top
les. Rather abrubtly, however, the
visitor announced that he had something
particular to say. Mrs. Jones rose with
her daughter Lavinia, but was asked to
stay, so that Lavinia was sent from the
room alone as if she had been child.
She went and sat down in the kitchen
not whit resentful.
George Goodwin entered at once on
his mission. He had come to ask leave
of Lavinia's parents to make their
daughter an offer of his hand. He did
not say his hoart.
Mrs. Jones trembled lest her husband
should discourage this cool suitor. He
seemed about to do SO. Instead of
ready assent, he began to say it was
very sudden, and he did not like to
part with the child he ended by turn
ing very red AMI 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 Lav1nia, who was a
perfect 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, murwured poor Mr..
Jones.
Then George Goodwin asked to see
Ilavinia 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. Lavinia
was called in.
But George was not quite so thought
less as to propose to the girl in the
presence of her parents. He had
walked up to the window and seen
narrow strip OF ground called "the
garden, and into this he invited Lavinia
without pretext. He was not a man
who used pretexts; he was truth itself.
cit is not worth looking at" said
LaviniE, alluding to the garden, when
he had led her ont.
4" did not come to look at it." he
replied. Sc I came 60 speak TO you. Do
you think you could like me we'll enough
to marry me ?"
She looked startled. ssI don't know"
she stammered.
You don't dislike me ?" he asked.
"Oh, no." she made haste to answer.
She had admired him greatly as
Emily's lover. He had been one of her
heroes but his wceipg and the manner
of it disturbed all her notions of heroic
action.
"Then you must try and like me, p"
he continued. s. I think could make
you happy enough, !" he added. -
She looked wistful. "Do yon love
me ?" she asked.
It puzzled him-the simple question,
the wistful look. It almost turned him
from his purpose.
"You are very sweet" he answered,
"and 1 am unhappy"
Here was romance at last to bestow
her sweetness on one who was unhappy,
that would be delightful.
''I have asked him already, and he
gave me leave to speak to you. Shall
he settle the rest for you T.
Yes" she murmursd, under her
breath, hardly knowing what she said,
and not knowing Ia the least all she did
In saying that one little word.
He kissed her, almost fiercely, some
thing like oompunotion in his heart, and
bade her goodbye in the garden, leav-
ing her there in a state of strange be-
wilderment.
s'Lavinia will be very poorly pro-
vided, 1 fear" Mrs. Jones said, assum-
ing a delicacy she did not feel. 'fI
doubt if we can get for her evsn what
will be absolutely necessary on so short
a notice.
"Get whatever is necessary and
proper for the occasion, Mrs. Jones, d
was the quick and anticipated answer.
SCI leave it, as Lavinia has left it en-,
tirelY in your hands," and so saying he
took his leave.
Three years passed away. LAWNS
! Goodwin IS resting on a sofa, looking
thin and pale and very pretty. in {
white pink, ridicuIously fine for q
farmers wife" as has been often re-
marked of her since her marriage, some
adding, spitefully, s' She cares for moth
ing but dress, and George Goodwin is q
fool to let her do as she does"
He has been very kind and in 1ulgen1
to her. At first that seemed enough,
She was happy wandering about the
sunny slopes of the farm or making
improvements 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 before,
She was more than happy, this gen,
erous child, in giving to her hearts con.
tent, supplying her parents with all the
Injuries the farm produced-fresh but
ter, new-lsid eggs, fruit, flowers, vege
tables, poultry. She had noticed that
her husband gave her less of his time
than he might have given her; thai
he caressed her carelessly, as he
might q pet animal that he gave
! her too much of her own way, and