The Van Buren press., 1876-04-29

her face. and she was decidedly coarse.
He saw now that she was ignorant and
vulgar, and that only his own youthful
ignorance had caused him to overlook
the fact in those old times when he had
tancied her perfection, and the dream of
50 many years was over.
Now that Evan Ware had returned rich
and prosperous, Le might have consoled
himself with the affections of any marri
aeeablc female in Farmngda'e He was
the lion of the place-courted, fattered
and smiled ssupon By budding misses,
spinsters and widows. Every one but
Lizzie Gale smiled upon him Sle. mind
ful through all the long years of the cold
parting on the bridge, vouchsafed him
only the chilliest recognition; and the
fact annoyed him She had grown to be
. fine looking woman aud he remember
ed what kind, pleasant girl she used to
| be, and longed TO know more or her.
He longed in vain. She repulsed his at.
tentions, and kept him at a distance.
Yet ali the while she secretly admired
him, and her greatast motive for the man
ner she adopted was her fear least Evan
should think she had been pining for him.
The widow Fay felt no such scruples
Old Mr. Burt, before he died. had specu.
lated in some bubble and ruined himself !,
and instead Of being the great heiress all
her little world had expected her to be,
Matte found t hard work to live and
dress nersefin the fnery she loved, on
her small income A rich husband was
her object, and Evan Ware bad been so
desperately in love with her that it was
hardly likely that he could be quite indif.
ferent now.
"l'm sure I'm handsome enough yet,'
thought Matte, as she looked in the glass
and If he is rescntful about the way
answered him, II manage that somehow.
Its too good chance to lose
Therefore, from that moment. Evan
became the victim Of sundry Vaccinations,
which were supposed to be of fatal effect,
and was dressed at and smiled ct in
manner which made the fact that Mat.
tie Fay was trying to catch Evan Ware"
patent to all Farmingdaie Pg.
BY this time, however. the said Evan
Ware was absolutely in love with Lizzie
Gale. She, at least, did not court his
money, and that was something to 50
rich man.
He forced himself upon her little by
little, till he made his way
1t was spring; a lovely May, fresh and
beautiful as May could be, aud according
to custom, grand picnic was on the ta-
pis. Atthat picnic Evan Ware had re.
solved to try his fate for the second and
last time for should Lizzie Gale refuse
him, he would never offer his hand to an.
other woman. And, ignorant of this, at
=, - 4. Matte Fay had res olved
"ft's only pique, Know, riar nerp,
him from speaking,' she said, rs she
looked at herself in the glass; "and III
go all lengths to cure that"
The day appointed arrived Evan
Ware Unanswered with success, and found
himself at the outset just where he wish
ed to be--in little vehicle only capable
of holding two, with Lizzie Gale py his
side. The ride was a long one, and there
were plenty Of chances for tender speech
es and soft glances. Lizzie was yielding
slowly and when in the quitcst part Of
the road, after all the other vehicles had
passed them, Evan paused entirely. and,
/
zie, it remains with you to decide my
fate-you can send me back to China or
keep me here" her eyes dropped, and she
made no pretense Of misunderstanding
him.
The next moment he had said "Will
you be my wife, Lizz!el" and had taken
her hand and pressed it to his lips; and
rhen, finding no denial, had kissed her
out and out.
1t was a quiet sort of thing, but they
were quiet people, both of them. So qui-
ct that by the time they ali, hted Lizzie
had begged Evan "not to set people
talking" by devoting himself too entire
ly to erjust yet; and Evan had promis,
ed Consequently Mistress Matte, ar
rayed in pink for the occasion, and look
ing certainly very young aud pretty,
found the rich merchant at her mercy,
and took possession of him.
She walked him around romantic
pond and down into charming green
meadow, and talked of "the days that
were past in very sentimental manner.
} 1--WE are SO foolish when we are young
Mr. Ware"
" Indeed we are.
"And SO repent our folly-l do, l
know. I'm sure ! don't know how to
approach the subject but you remember
how rude was on the bridge-how RI
dicu,ous. You never can have forgiven"
! "lndeed have, Mrs Fay
ENTIRELY" /"
"Entirely," he replied.
"fou know it wasn't from the heart.
: Girls ara so singular. The moment you
, had gone l wanted to call after you. If
J you had asked me the question Il second
, time, i should have answered differently"
"Men are generally too proud to re-
! peat such questions said Evan. ~
am"
But the lady was not to be baflled.
- In matters Of the heart pride should
have no place. she whispered. "For
| my part, I'm ready to throw mine aside
and say"
Don't say anything either of us
might regret" he said :. because /, this
very morning. put that question to anoth.
er lady. and was answered iavorably."
Matte stared at him ;ishe could not be-
lieve her senses But sense of shame
and anger gradually broke upon her, aud
| l. ~ knr hn