The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-08-11
now mE WOW MEM.

and several Of the guests reluctantly
spoke Of departure, the young host
called on them 10 drink one more
glass 20 the "loves Of their hearts" nj
Batting.
"And especially. said Frank Over
ton, the gsysst of the party. "especi-
ally to your mothers charming
guests, Annie and Alice Mayfield,"
and he bowed to Harry.
why do you omit their cousin
Minniey" asked Harry. "She Is worth
both the beauties put together; for
any man who loves plain setting will
find her a jewell
"Is she'" returned Frank. careless
ly. swell, have thought SO once
or twice myself But its a pity-for
she's confoundcdly plain, and will
never get husband unless by chance
"The more fools they who overlook
her. returned Harry.
"Wby in the mischief don't you
appropriate her then for YOURSELF"
asked two or three voices.
III Oh, TN in love with beauty
myself, and could not think Of such a
thing. But that only proves Tn a
fool, like the rest Of you"
II declare, Harry, you almost per.
suade me to take her." cried Frank.
"At all events, I'd be willing to run
the risk of having happiness thrust
upon me. Besides, its shame that
such a fine girl should not have one
chance for husband. What say you,
boys, to this? Suppose we agree that
6he fellow who is hit by the cork that
Harry's going to let fly shall propose
to her, and try to be made happy in
spite of himself'"
agreed" cried some voices.
Others, however, demurred. At
last, after considerable debate, the res
.olution was carried, with the proviso
that a previous attachment should be
an exemption from the decree.
Harry cut the wire, and tho cork,
AFTER vaulting to the ceiling, descend
ed plump on the head Of the oiigina-
tor of the proposal,
Taken in, by thunder!" cried the
luckless hero, indignantly, when he
felt the fatal tap on the crown; while
the roars of laughter from his unsym-
pathizing companions attended their
enjoyment of the humor and justice
of the feat-as well, perhaps, their
sense of personal relief at their own
escape.
swell, TN in for it, he cried, at
ter a great gasp. "I'll stand by my
bargain; I'll offer myself as per agree
ment, and trust to my lucky stars for
a refusal"
A derisivc jeer, and the general ex-
clamation, mo hope of that" damp
ed his rising spirit at the view Of this
mode Of escape.
"Why uot,' he asked, rather faint
ly.
"Shc-plain and poor; you-hand-
some and rich," returned one Of the
party, laconically.
Frank sighed; he felt the force Of
circumstances.
And now, reader, it is time to let
you into a secret; the whole Of the
strange conversation ! have described
was overheard by the one person most
interested in it, namely, Minnie May
field, herself for, with the other
young ladies, Annie and Alice, she
had gone into the conservatory adjoin-
ing the dining room and there, in con-
sequence of the raised voices Of the
young men, had heard her name men
toned. The result added one more
confirmation of the old proverb, that
"listeners never hear any good of
themselves"
II is needless to add that Minnies
feelings Of modification and annoy
ance on this occasion were very pain
full. The reader can we'll imagine
that as the conversation proceed
cd, she blushed, hid her face, and
would gladly have escaped, had not
her companions prevented her from
doing so. As they roguishly held her,
fearing any movement might betray
them, she finally sat down, pale
and quiet, while tears Of real agony
rolled down her cheeks.
But what of a thisi what of an
other and keener pang, mingled with
the modification she felt at hearing
her own name so unexpectedly men
toned? What, il, like silly, sus-
ceptible girl as she was, she had been
foolish enough to look on Frank Over
ton too often, and too kindly, till a
warm and tender feeling for him
sprang unconsciously up in her impru-
dent heart.
She needed no sympathy; she had
no business to look or feel-plain wo-
men have no right to Look about, and
force themselves where they know
they are not cared for. II was repre-
;hensible in our heroine, and she will