The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1876-04-27

J
espoused a rich widow. Alfred the
younger, was away, playing the rake
as usual, and Caroline pursued her
conquests and flirtations. It was
quite an event; whom Lima came.
Mrs. Dashingly's Observation-Disclosures
her was to make her and her thirty
thousand pounds the property Of AL
fred, with as little delay as convent.
ent her second wsj to worry, lecture,
and persuade Lima 70 abjure her her.,
etical training and embrace the true
faith, as they had done against both;
Of which propositions, Lima, unduti.,
full girl that she was, rebelled. Two:
or three suitors hadsought her hand,
but the moment >their wishes became
known, her aunt sent them off flying
-just; as she did me when I presum-
ed to fall in love with Caroline.
And it was an understood thing now,
that anybody else, except Alfred,
daring to aspire to her, would be
warned away in like manner. Aunt
had it all her own way until Lima
should be Of age, and as yet she was
only nineteen.
. Lima came running down the steps
when I leaped out Of the chaise. They
had tried hard to prop her up with a
little of their own form and stateli-
ness, but it would not do. The tears
stood in her large blue eyes as I kiss
ed her cheek, fair and pure as ever.
Aunt and Caroline had remained in
the drawingroom: the former could
not, and the latter would not, have
leaped down the house steps for the
world. Mrs. Dashingly was very
cordial she actually gave me what
she called a kiss-a.slight click Of
the lips a foot off my face. Caroline
was exceedingly gracious and ,digni-
fed; in right Of her exalted position
as brlde-elect.
"Were you surprised at my sum-
mons. Ned p demanded Mrs. Dash
ingly, when I returned to the draw
ing roem after shaking off some Of the
travelling dust. :;
"A little, aunt. I am not yet &C.
quainted with the cause of il"
"You shall hear" cried my aunt,
her turban standing on end with the
dignity Of the announcement she had
in store for me, while Caroline's pink
train rustled out like vain peacock's
"The event of a marriage in the
family, Edward, does not occur every
day. I am about to part with my
daughter, and I thought the pleasure
Of being at the ceremony, with a
weeks holiday from the smoky tenn.
pie, would be very gratifying to
you"
Very gratifying, indeed! When,
some months ago, l had been dying
for her myself; and was still, for all
aunt knew.
."And so I am to congratulate Caro-
line upon becoming Mrs."
Captain Fitzhenry, Of the 47th,"
bridled my aunt ;*."of good family
and an immense fortune. The mar.
riage is fixed for. Tuesday next.
Lina's to be blidesmaid."
4"And when will it be your turn,
Lima, darlingr I. said, bending over
her; at which she blushed so very
deeply that-well, I thought it could
not be far of.
"Tbere's no hurry about Lima" in
terrupted the old lady, shortly, ''1et
US get Caroline's wedding over frst.''
"Now, Lima, how does it all go on
with your" I inquired, drawing he,
into my room for an instant, when
went up to dress: "And what mean
these tears ?" I exclaimed, as she sal
down and fairly broke into impas
s1oned sobs. ;"Lina. my sister,"
Indignantly uttered, Il can see they
have been making you wretched!"
YES" she said, scarcely able tc
speak, "ever since I came here, nov
twelve months ago, I have been fear
full declare TO- you, Edward, I have
been actually fearful that my aunt
would marry me to Alfred by main
force; and am sure, if we lived in
less enlightened times, when such
things were not unheard Of, it would
have been DONE"
"Where's Alfred now p
"Oh, he has been away some
months. H. so: angry and cross
with me, for l hri .., against thei,
plans, though my courage was nearly
failing me. And my aunt wants mi
to change my religion; she and Faith
er Peter. It is her fault; like the
good old father, but he has to please
Mr.. Dashingly.' I wish I}was poor
she might then suffer me to get t.
heaven my own way"
"But what is her motive|
'She thinks 1t will cause scandal il
Alfred marries a Protestant wife
And she threatens-and / am sur'
she will carry out her threat-that i
I persist in refusing Alfred, she will
shut me up in the convent of Mercy
you know IT, Edward te1
miles from here,,'' .