Connecticut western news., 1876-11-17


 you knew all about them aA the while !! Why didn't you tell mel"
 "Why, mamma, I didn't know that you wanted to learn anything about them. The first knew you had found what was the use2"
 "Well, you might have told mo be- fore. And how was it you didn't recog- nize them when we met on the street2" 'I did l bowed and they lifted their hats the first time we met them. You did not see them at all that time, for you were. busy looking at Mrs. Bunce and her new cloak. tt.
 "The first time | Did we meet them three times instead of twice, then 2"
 " did, not count the times, but I think it must have been three." " Humph 2 We'll, I've nothing to do now but to see that no trouble comes of all your smartness. To begin with, l noticed that MT. Merton was rather more attentive to you this evening than there was any necessity for. I want you to remember that he is not tho one who. will do." '#A. ~ ~"
 There was no reply to this injunction. Perhaps it was not heard, and subse- quent facts rendered this all the more probable.
 The two young men prolonged their stay in the village, and made frequent calls together at Mrs. Greens house. MT. Edgerton was all that could be de- sired in the way of friendly courtesy, but George Merton was that, and more too. It became more and more apparent that he aimed to become the one who would do. a.- nl
 He came often with his friend, but more often by himself, and one day he called not on Sarepta, but upon Mrs. Green herself. The nature. of his er- rand may be gathered from remark of that 'lsdy's during the conversation.
 "I am very sorry matters have gone so far," she said, "and I tried in every way to prevent it. All can do now is to say that I will never give my consent to your marriage with my daughter. I esteem you very greatly, but long since made up my mind that my son. in law must have fortune and position"
 "But, my dear madam "- -.,, ..-.
 "I have had my say, MT. Merton, and nothing will ever make me say different ly. I don't mind saying to you that the
 
 receive very different answer"
 George Merton went away then, and Sarepta received little lecture from her mother. The girl was little pale, but very quiet, and her mother thought she was going to be, very sensible. She felt little discouraged, however, when Sarepta said, quite in her natural voice :
 know he is poor, and without po- sition, as you call it, but will never marry any other man as long as live [" and that ended the conversation.
 After this matters went on much the same as usual, except that George Mer- ton came no more to Mrs. Greens house. Sarepta was a little quieter than of old, but altogether acted in practical man ner, that gave her mother very great encouragement. - ...-
 One afternoon the young lady dressed Co go out for Q walk, and stood for a time with one foot on tho fender bar, listening to her mothers talk, which ran pretty much Tn this strain toward the close ~ .f. ...,..
 "I haven't seen MT. Edgerton for two or three days, have youG And his friend seems to have disappeared altogether. I must say it was very pro- per of him not to come here after gave him so decided an answer. Why, bless my soul! Here he is now!"
 And there, sure enough, he was, step- ping leisurely in through the open door of the room. He had evidently screwed his courage up, and was keeping it up by little bit of bravado not quite na- tural to him. His hat was pulled tight upon his head, his step had the least suggestion of a swagger in it, and he car ried his hands in the pockets of the short, odd looking jacket which he wore for the apparent purpose of making him look unnecessarily Independent.
 His manner put Mrs. Green on the offensive, as if it were challenge. Her face took on it's hard, set look, her hands folded themselves together under her apron, and she stood looking at him very frigidly, and failed to notice that her daughter was not so much surprised as she ought to have been.
 "Good afternoon, MT. Merton" said Mrs. Green, very much as if he had been sewing machine agent. "We were just speaking of-your friend"
 "Ah, Charlie Yes, poor fellow, he has gone back to the city. He really needed longer rest, but he couldn't take it without losing his situation, and he cannot afford to do that"
 "His situations Why
 :"Yes, you know he is bookkeeper But, no; remember now, my friend Mrs. Garwood got our names mixed ir telling you about us."
 "I see," said Mrs. Green, in a tone that implied many things.
 "But come, dear, if you are ready we will go for our walk now," saic George, in a queer, hurried way. "] just dropped in, Mrs. Green, to take my wife out for a walk" sr
 "Your wife9 WhatY" and Mrs Green sat down and waited for nor. breath.
 Mamma, you will forgive us, won you9" pleaded Sarepta. "Perhaps i was wrong, but you were so firm, so VI were married yesterday"
 "Of course I forgive you, now tha there is nothing else for me to do, said the politic lady. "And if yor will wait minute I'll go with you. I will close peoples mouths"
 As they all started out together, Mrs Merton said: .5 E
 George, you ought to have told m' about this ridiculous mistake"
 "I know I ought, but you see, m. dear. couldn't resist the temptation of giving your mother a son-in-law will fortune and position, in spite of her | self. /" he replied.