The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1875-02-04
A HASTY MARRIAGE.

| me spectator.
A HASTY MARRIAGE.
Tilted No gentler 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 a few weeks, with
the plea that she bad not known her own
mind, and had discovered that she loved
another. 1t was 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 o neighbor.
The weather and crops occupied Mr.
Jones and his visitor for some time, Mr..
Jones introducing these interesting top.
les. Rather abruptly, 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 a 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 q
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 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 Lavlnia, who was o
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 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. Lavinia
was called in.
But George was not quite 70 thought
less as to propose to the girl in the
presence OF her parents. He had
walked up to the window and seen
narroy strip of ground called "the
garden, "and into this he invited Lavinia
without pretext. He was not man
who used pretexts; he was truth ITSELF
at is not worth looking at" said
Lavinia, alluding to the garden, when
he had led her out.
~ did not come to look at it," he
replied. 81 came to speak to yon. Do
you think you could like me we'll enough
to marry me ?"
She looked startled. "I don't l1now,"
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 wceing and the manner
of it disturbed all her notions Of heroic
action.
"Then you must try and like me, :"
he continued. 81 think I could make
you happy enough" he added.
She looked wistful. "Do yon love
me ?" she asked.
1t puzzled him-the simple question,
the wistful look. II almost turned him
from his purpose.
"You are very sweet" he answered,
"and I am unhappy"
Here was romance at last to bestow
her sweetness on one who was unhappy,
that would be delightful.
"Oh, wait little. Papa
81 have asked him already, and he
gave me leave to speak to you. Shall
he settle the rest for you p
eyes," 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 fiercely, some.
thing like compunction in his heart, and
bade her goodbye in the garden, leav-
ing her there in a state Of strange be.
wilderment.
"Lavinia will be very poorly pro-
vided, fear," Mrs. Jones said, assum-
ing q delicacy she did not feel. "I
doubt if we can get for her even what
will be absolutely necessary on SO short
a notice."
sect whatever is necessary and
proper for the occasion, Mrs. Jones, +"
was the quick and anticipated answer.
81 leave it, as Lavinia has left it ell.
tirely in your hands," and so saying he
took his leave.
Three years passed away. Lavinia
Goodwin is resting on a sofa, looking
thin and pale and very pretty, in a
white pink, ridiculously fine for a
farmers wife," as has been often re.
marked Of her since her marriage, some
adding, spiteiully, "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 lulgent
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
luxuries the farm produced-fresh but.
ter, new laid eggs, fruit. flowers, vege.
tables, poultry. She bad noticed that
her husband gave her less OF his time
than he might have given her; that
he caressed her carelessly, as he
might a pet animal; that he gave
her too much Of her own way, and