Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-07-15
ooh, Pll help her!" nodded SYDNEY,

spflHSluS nlnUiy OH tne cuH anu
pulling Mrs. Grimford by main force
up the steep side of the rock.
"Ah, cried the lady, it is very
steep. really think women should
devote more time to gymnastics. oh,
here's the asplenium - very choice
specimens, too. Why, Sydney,
where are you going?" she suddenly
cried, seeing Mr.. Wilmer had sprung
back into the phnton.
"Only for a little turn, madame,
while you are collecting your bota1-
ical treasures"
ayes. but Mrs. .Grimford's words
of remonstrance were drowned in the
roar of the wheels as Mr.. Wilmer
drove briskly away, Carrie nesting
up to his side. One long, lingering
glance she gave the departing pair,
and then returned to her tin can and
umbrella. "They'll be back present.
ly," she said. But the afternoon wore
OH, the shades of evening were rapid
ly closing in. Mrs. Grimferd grew
tired, cross and rheumatic, and still
they came not, like the characters in
romance.
"Something has happenedp' cried
the prophetic soul of Mrs. Grimford.
"Oh, If should have to stay here all
night" She looked nervously around.
1t was a tall, steep cliff whereom she
stood, cut off from the woods beyond
by wide, and by no means shallow,
stream on one side, while on the 9th
er three it was almost perpendicular,
rising some twenty feet up from the
road. AS she surveyed her situation,
she began to feel some what like St.
Simon Stylltes Oh his pillar in the
wilderness. But suddenly welcome
rumbling of wheels broke the still
ness of the seldom-traveled mountain
road, and Mr.. Winners spirited gray
dashed round the curve of the hill.
"Well!" she cried, 81 never was
more thankful for anything in my
life. Pm tired to death waiting"
care you?" said Sydney Wilmer, as
he checked his horse in the middle of
the road.
eyes why don't you drive closer?"
she demanded sharply.
"Oh, did you want to drive home
with us?" .... ...,,
"Of course 1 did. I'd have gone
home long ago if l could have got of
this place."
"Well, madame" said Sydney, in
accents of the coolest deliberation
while Carrie clung frightened, and
yet smiling, to his side, 81 shall be
happy to hand you off that rock or
one condition.
"Conditlon! What do you mean
sir?" exclaimed the indignant matron
"Simply this, Mrs. Grimford!
want to marry your daughter. Blu
Carrie, like too-dutiful child, will
not become nay wife without youl
consent"
(Which she will neUer have" re
piled the lady, emphatically.
every well madame" and he sh0ol
the reins. 4 .r.
"You are not going to leave IN,
he1e?" shrieked Mrs. Grimford, in
panic Of terror.
"Unless you comply with my con
dition 1 most certainly shall"
"And that condition is"
"Y Your consent to my marriage will
your daughter"
"Caroline," cried Mrs. Grimford
twill you be an eye witness to this
this atrOcious conduct, and not inter
fere ?"
"Sydney won't let me have a voic
in the matter, mamma, at all" sal
Gio aS~'"soiy 1the says he doesn'
DeMeve IN Woman's rights
Mrs. Grimford gave hollow groan
Mr.. Wilmer touched his hors
. slightly with the whip.
"Stopl" cried Mrs. Grimford. &C
:, consent, but it is under protest"
"YOu can protest all you like, "sai
Mr.. Wilmer, assisting his mOther-in
law elect into the carriage. Silentl
Mrs. Grimford entered the ph8ton
silently she drove home, and In 81
l lence crossed the threshold Of he
house, as became a conquered part!
"ro think" she said, in a hollo,
voice, as she sat al dinner, "that afte
e all nay precepts and examples, Care
t line should end her career by gettin
e married"
"Mamma," said Carrie timidly, 6
4 don't think it SO terrible fate, afte
: ALL" . -.-..
"To think" continued Mrs. Grin
ford ,paying no attention to her daugl
e ter's reply, "that you should meet tt
q fate of an ordinary woman"
Q "But, mamma, dear, never ha
y any ambition to be All extraordinal
y woman"
d And 80 was brought to an abru]
termination all the plots aud plans fl
model existence which had bee
!. formed for Mrs. Grimford's daughte