The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-05-11


perhars from this his name dtgcuersi-
"a from Bebbs ihto Blabber, and several
Tines nv mother nsrowly escaped az
aressiug blm e. Fnch, 50 pordsteniiy WAS
be called ], behind his back.
A dead pig having been found one
mornlag in TIE sty, was strongly sdvis.
Cd 20 20 down to ser the likeness. which
from ms pariiallty for Blubbcr, my sister
ielt surs would be interesting 70 me. |
am ashamed 10 confess had not the
moral courage 20 vfuie these uncalled-for
calumnies aud when did receive a pro-
posal q marriaga from Captain Bebb my
answer may be imagined refused bin
aud cried myself to sleep FOR many nights
afterwards
Bat the deed was done, aud Captain
Bebb was not the man to ask Agan, and
I learned soon Afterwards that he bad len
North-Fogate
Very little was thought Of the silair In
my owa family Asa ahe general opinion
am, Of course. unable TO speak. The
Idea that !, Howard Z had been asked
to become Nelly Blebb, or Nelly Blubbev,
sometimes elected would.be witty re-
marks from my sisters, bat by degrees
the existence Of Captaia Bebb' came to
be totally forgotten by every one except
myself.
Meanwhile we did not grow younger
as the years rolled quickly on, and as
| they went became moro and more con-
scious Of the error | had made in reject
ing man whom felt | could have low
ed and respected, simply because he was
ridiculed by my sisters and bore the un-
aristocratic name OF Bebb.
Seven years had passed away-still We
were "going out TO partles;" | unwill-
ingiy, but my sisters more persistently
than ever. But alas times had changed
for us; partners were no longer plentiful,
and we were Obliged to be thankful 10
the few who asked us to dance or offered
to escort us to supper, and who were,
generally speaking, mere boys, whose
nursery days seemed like yesterday.
However, rather than return home with
out having danced ct all, ! was indeed
| glad to take a turn with them. But on
one particular occasion, at ball in the
assembly room, even the boys failed us,
and the three Misses Howard were stand
ing together IN q most palpable family
group, when the entrance of large party
gave us momentary diversion.
II was the Aylmer Court party, two or
three dowagers, bevy ofpretty, bright
eyed girls, and several gentlemen. With
the latter who should | recognize but my
old friend and rejected admirer,, Captain
Bebbl
He was looking remarkably well-hap-
py and handsome; no resemblance to
pig was possible now, surely, and for an
instant wild hope shot through. my poor
heart that he might see and speak to me
again. lie did see me, but instinctively
felt he hardly recognized me. Seven
years had not improved me-with bitter
pang | felt that. lie bowed and passed
on with young and pretty girl leaning
on his arm. Oh, the modification of
that evening-the weary, desperate long
ing had TO hide myself somewhere; but
there | stood, faded I" wall flower /"
youthfully attired 10 white tarlatane and
blue satin ribbons, unnoticed, neglected,
and what felt far more, uncared for,
Whether be meant it or not, could
not tell, but he seemed perpetually pass
ing where | stood. At last my sister
consented to go home, and Margaret hav-
ing secured the arm of weak-minded
little curate, who offered bis other arm to
mother, the three walked slowly
my ~onm, followed by Louisa
aotosS the oa'i ~. = at tho want
proud, erect and indignsD. 81
of appreciation she had met with-an.
myself with downcast eyes aud burning
face. The cloak room seemed haven to
me aud the drive home comparatively
bliss, although II was embittered by re-
marks. from my sisters on the return of
the captain, or as he was now, Colonel
Bebb, aud the announcement that CATER
all Nelly might have done worse.D
Yes, Nelly knew that now, as many
another foolish girl OF elderly young lady
knows when it is too late; and in my
quiet corner few heavy tears dropped
silently upon my crimson shawl when
remembered how I'd allowed myself to be
influenced by ridicule to reject what
felt sure would have secured the happi-
ness of my lite.
But our ball days ended at last for our
mother died, and after that Margaret and
Loniss gave up the gay world aud deyot-
ed themselves to mothers meetings, Bi.
bic readings and other laudable occupa-
tons, TO the great satisfaction Of the Gu
rate have never before mentioned. We
settled down in our little villa, aud are
now three confirmed maiden ladies', with
out much to make us care for life beyond
The dajlylsolorless routine which makes
zach "twin image Of the last"
Once year we 90 for month to the
seaside, and during our last visit there
became interested in some children, who,
accompanied by their nurse, made their
appearance at an early hour every morn
ing on The sands. | was so fond Of chill.
iren that soon made their acquaintance.
Little Amy was four and tie other girl
about a year older, whilst there was a
boy Of about two-Master Charley-as ,
be nurse called him. II never occurred