The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-05

no response but stern disapproval.
She silently nibblcd at bit OF toast, and
wondered what form her mothers indignation
would take
There was IA long silence.
Then Mrs. Gregory remarked;
This day week you will meet your aunt at
ST expressly forbid you to air any oiyour
absurd ideas for her cdifcation, Her kind.
ness to you and your sister calls for some
gratitude
Then Mrs. Gregory sailed out of the brcas.
tast.room, leaving Mite temporily crushed.
"Kindncss,' Ncttc muttcred, gathering up
! The cups and plates. II wonder If mamma
really thinks there is any kindness about it?
Aunt is getting old, and she Is not wealthy
enough to take a lead, so she wants young,
handsome girl to hang fincry upon and draw
at,cn,on to herself. She is determined to
have three handsome establishments to visit,
where her three neces preside"
"A pretty mess she has made OF her match
making, 50 far. A miser and drunkard.
And for me, Percy Bonnaire, the son OF her
eldest friend, as she scntimcntally styles him,
and the possessor Of his dead fathers fortune.
| wonder if he will walk into Aunt Bellies
traps. Mamie and Lola were nieccs after her
own heart, but Mr.. BOnnairc will not iiHd me
ready to drop into his arms for the asking"
point Of her musng, and her large dark eyes
| burned with scornful pride.
She was superbly handsome in grand type
brunette, quccnly in form, and with amobile,
expressive face.
4 true Gregory, her mother and aunt call.
cd her.
"WIth a full share of Gregory obstinacyn'
the latter declared, a month later.
! Obediently, Ncttic had gone to s..
| Obediently she had worn the handsome
dresses provided at the cost of home com
! fort
Obediently she had danced, walked, sung,
and entered into the gaiciics of tho place.
| But lust at this point her obedience failed
/ Mrs Bonnare was at s.. A little, meek
woman, who worshiped her only son, and was
evidently much influenced by the stronger
nature of her old schoolmat
And Mrs Bonnairc was quite OF Aunt Belle E
opinion-that Nettic would make quccnly
wife for Percy, and add greatly to the attrac
ton of splendid home.
But Ncttc Just here, became unmanagc
able.
She accepted Mr.. BonDairc's attentions with
the same dignifcd courtesy that met the ad
vances of any of her aunt's gentlemen friends
but she was reso.utcly determined that she
would not aid in any of the schemes to catch
the wealthy man, who was the admired OF al
the matrons with daughters upon their hands
She liked Percy Bonnaire well; liked &c
hear his tales of travel, that were wildly told
without egotsm; liked to lance with him
liked to drive when his firm hand held the
relns; to ride with his superb black horse be
side her own hired steed. But she steeled hel
heart against any other warmer emotions.
Ifshe felt it throb with pleasant thrill
when she saw his tail manly figure and hand
some face approaching her, she remembered
that he was "a great match and checked al
cordially in her quiet greeting.
In VAIN her aunt demonstrated, and pointeC
out to her that she had attracted Mr.. Bon
naire, and, by lit0c encouragement, nigh
complete her conquest.
II came here Lccausc mother wished it,,
she would reply, "and ! am not husband
hunting
"And yet, after ALL she was playing he
Icards well" her aunt thought, when Perc.
asked permission 10 pay hls addresses to Mis-
Gregory. "She has won him by her maiden
ly dignity"
And when she triumphantly told Ncttie o
the honor paid to her she could not iorbea
making sly thrust at the girls superior Ill
plomaCy.
r II aroused Ncttc AZ once to rebellion.
"You vii! tell Mr.. Bonnaire that | reins
the honor he would pay me-" she said, coldly
"Nettic you are insane was her aunt
5 cry.
marry the first eligible man who proposes Il
me-"
"But you like Percy. You have told IN
so"
II do like him. was the frank reply; "an'
were he a poor man, | might soon learn L
love him. As il is, will not marry hin
SIMPLY because he has been influenced by III
mother and yourself, TO propose 10 me.
"Pray, Miss Gregory what do you propos
to do?'
IL will tell you" said Ncttie, sharply, turn
ing her face flushed with honest pride, TO he
aunt. For six months more will obey N
mother Then | shall be twcnty.one, and
shall earn my own living at some honest en-
ploymcnt | will not live on prctensc on
hour longer cheating tradcspeoplc with falls
promises, wearing tnery that is stolen by thu
theft called debt, and finally marrying none.
with no thought of the man that holds IT,
"lndeedr'
Aun. Belle raised her eyeglasses and too
a long look at the superb, handsome youn
girl, who was only improved by her burst I
temper.
'"Indcedl Suppose you go home to-mo
row, and begin your independent career?
wash my hands of you Agirl who would T
fuse Percy Bonnairc is a simple lunalic. An
| object to lunat;cs.'
$50 do not l." murmurcd Percy Bonnair
rising from seat upon the wide porch, fro
which he had heard every word of the for
going conversation.
II. $50 do not |. loved that girl for her bea
~, her dueenly dignity, her quiet maiden
modesly But now-Ill win her, II 1t TAX
ten years TO do IT,"
The next day, Aunt Belle quietly lniorm'
inqurins friends that Miss Gregory had De
Obliged to return to the city unexpectedly, al
softened the tidngs ct her refusal Tor Per
=, Bonnair,, already prepared to receive thel
Society has no gaps, and the waves clos
over Neiue's place, while she was meeti
her mothers storm of Indignation Mamie
49, astonIshmcnt, and Lola's fearful regrets,
NJ you'll have such a dreadful NE "ca
Ia