Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-11-27

vi course you won Z! SalO MISS
Lucretia Montague with decided shake
of the head. Some girls are as OBJ
stinate as mules. I gave you credit for
better taste and sounder sense, Hope
Nottingham" speaking in softer
tone at the last.
Miss Lucretia, although maiden lady
OF uncertain age, and long ago given
up as lost prize (matrimonially viewed),
possessed one of the kindest hearts in
the world, and would not have injured
the feelings of worm, supposing those
invertebral creatures to lie thus gifted,
least of all such dainty, charming be-
ing as the young girl before her, who,
with downcast eyes and slightly flushed
cheeks, sat listening to the homily on
worldly wisdom which her ancient COM
panion was striving to impart.
my dear, dead sisters child,' Lu-
cratia would remark to her acquain-
tances when speaking OF Hope, "why
shouldn't I tako an interest in her +?
Every one wants something to care and
look after. To be sure I shan't live
forever, but when I'm gone she will
find I've not forgotten her, provided
she is a good girl and pleases me-"
Being" good girl and pleasing her, "
implied the desire that Miss Hope
should wed according to her aunt's
wishes. The spinster, like many other
worthy persons, had a mania for match
making, and to seo her neice well sit
uated, in the fullest sense of the word,
was, as she openly declared, the one
object of her existence.
Of course the prospective heiress of
the Montague estate did not lack suit
ors. They were many, but Miss Lu-
cretia smiled complacently on certain
Captain Partlet, man nearly two score
years Hopes senior, tolerably fine look
ing and of good family, the reputed
possessor OF large means, and whom
Miss Lucretia had mentally decided
was, of oil others, the most eligible.
To be sure, one or two ugly stories re-
garding the gallant captains past career
were current in society, but to those
she turned deaf ear, thinking them
emanations of malice, or, at the very
worst, putting them down to that vague
extended period in mans life when he
is supposed to be diligently given to
the sowing OF wild oats.
AS natural consequence Hope, with
the proverbial perversity of nineteen,
cared not one whit about the captain.
To do her.justice she fully believed in
the reports concerning him, and while
always receiving with an agreeable
composure his polite and affable atten-
tions, she gave no chance for miscon-
struction of word or look whereby he
might presume to evince feelings of a
deeper nature. Indeed, rumor was
busy, and with o large share of truth,
too, in coupling her name with thai, of
Mr.. Barry Grey, young man OF ex-
cellent reputation, but who, alas! for
Aunt Lucretia's necessary con menda-
ton, was only book-keeper at mod
erate salarya in Sperkle & Gays cloth
ing store. -..,..
The news of the threatened defeat of
her long cherished plan reached Miss
Montague in the retirement of her sum-
mer home, short distance up the Hud-
son, and brought her promptly to the
city, where her refractory niece was
spending few days with friend.
"It's too bad, Hope," she remarked,
after having extrolled the virtues of her
pet, the captain, and given vent to her
Indignation as quoted in the opening
sentences of our sketch. I'm sure
I've done my duty towards you as a
mother might" plaintively, "and now
to see my fondest wishes set at naught
its too bad"
Don't speak So" replied the girl,
as rising and winding her arms about
the old lady she imprinted a kiss upon
her faded cheek. I'm sure you have
always been kind to me, ever SO kind,
hut you surely wouldn't want to see
me made miserable for the rest OF my
life by marriage with one whom l de-
test? don't like that Captain Part
let, aunty dear, and dol"
"Yes, you do like young Grey"
broke in Lucretia, Withdrawing herself
from her embrace.
You'd have no objection to him If
he were richr' said Hope, . ring Of de-
fianco in her tone.
"No, I wouldn't" Miss Lucretia an
swe,ed boldly. He's good fellow
enough SO far as can hear, and I dare
! say means all right; but you'll find g
thousand dollars per annum won't 60
very far"
1--WE should have to be very eco
nomical, I suppose.
Humphr' exclaimed Miss Monta-
que. " Don't bea fool, child! .When
poverty comes i'm at the door, love flies
out of the window There, don't cry" /"
she added, observing the girls work
ing features, "it makes me nervous"
SI can't help it. feel just miser-
abler' moaned Hope. -
"No one can guess my feelings"
murmured Miss Lucretia. evidently try
ing hard to consider herself the ag-
grieved party. "Come now, never
nind," she said after q little silence.
broken only by Hopes sobs. +" Let
/ = fax 4ta