The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-02-16

result"
1t was while l was on trip to Switz
erland that broke my back, and while
endeavoring to drink some boiling tes
the housekeeper left carelessly upon the
table, I scalded all the hair from my
head. This scar upon my cheek is the re-
suit of having attempted to shave my.
self with my fathers razor. 1t was
injudicious of him not to tell you the
result of my injuries, but now you see
them for yourself. 1 will not go into
further particulars. You remember all
my accidentsw
eyes," said Betsy, "and fine fgger
of man they've made you. You'd dc
to scare the crows from an orchard, ]
must say, and you're sent to me, that
might have my pick and choice of offers
to marry. It's enough to make one die
of laughing"
"Then you refuse Inc p said the young
man very eagerly.
ooh, no. said Betsy, d" oh, no, don't,
there's the fortune, you know. Money is
money, and even an object like you is
better than poverty. I'll have you.
Though how folks will laugh to see us
paired off together! One comfort,
though so broken down as you must be,
you can't last long"
Con the contrary, expect to live to
be eighty" said the young man.
Expectations don't go for much, %
said Betsy. "Look how the old folks
went"
"We were deprived of their affections
very suddenly" said the young man
signing. My father loved yours dearly,
Miss Seabright.'
"Folks will take queer notions, " said
Betsy. "Well, 1 must say you are an
ject. I CAM t help laughing, whenever
l look at you"
"We shall have very merry life to-
gether," said Harold, L" if your disposi-
ton continues"
ooh, shant see much of you," said
Betsy. 81 can promise you. after the
ring is on. What possessed you to smash
yourself upso? But shan't refuse you.
It's money makes the mare CO. says the
old song"
cit may be-" said Harold. "But let
the mare stand still for me, then. quite
decline to fulfill the engagement. So,
madam you have the fortune without
any incumbrance in my person"
"And good riddance to bad rubbish,
say II" cried Betsy. "There are better
fish in the sea than you, or women would
be poorly off. You're going, eh? Well,
the sooner the better. Miss Smith, ring
the bell"
Elsie rose and touched the bell.
But now that the deed was done, and
her object attained, she felt dreadfully
ashamed ofherself.
Certainly more unhappy and singular
object than this before her could not
we'll be imagined.
Indeed, compassionate as was her
heart, she felt that his appearance was
not only painful, but almost ludicrous,
but all the more should he have been
tenderly and kindly used.
Why had she played this childish
prank, and allowed vulgar woman to
insult him in her presence?
And this gentleman-for hideous as
he was, he evidently was gentleman by
breeding as well as by birth-how would
he henceforth think of her?
He would always believe that she had
uttered those rude words; she and none
other.
And as he left the room she followed
him and the servant who had answered
the bell retired at her nod, and left the
two together in the long hall, where
they could hear the long and violent ex-
plosions of laughter with which Betsy
was now filling the drawing-room.
"Mr. Harrington" said Elsie, hel
face crimsoning as che spoke, ' l cannot
let you go without word of explana'
ton. II have been SO grieved that
you should be SO insulted. l never
meant"
"My dear young lady, you have moth
ing to do with it, and my feelings are mol
in the least hurt" replied the young
man. "Who could care anything for s
rerson like the woman we have just left
could say? But I am amazed that thai
should be Miss Seabright. know she il
lady by birth. I understood that she
was beautiful and gentle. I"
"Oh, Mr.. Harrington cried Elsie
"I have been such foolish girl! She il
not Miss Seabright. I am Miss Seabright
Lit was a ridiculous stratagem O
mine. I hated the idea of betrothal tt
a stranger, and I desired that you should
, take the initiative in breaking off thu
match. But, believe me, had no knowl
edge of your infrmities, which could b.
only subject for sympathy to me; ant
I beg you to forgive me for placing tha
coarse woman in position in which sh
| could insult you. Prove it by remaining
with me until I can offer you some re
freshment after your long journey"
The young man bowed, looked at he
a moment, and then replied frankly:
t MADAM, I quite appreciate your mo
tives and entirely forgive you. l an
e pleased to accept your invitation"
1t was the custom in well arrange
4 houses at that day to send guests to thei
r rooms for awhile before dinner.
Accordingly Miss Seabright ordered
y servant to show Mr.. Harrington to a
, apartment on the upper floor, and retire
y to Ter own room to dress for dinner.
y Ten minutes after her entrance int
this apartment, this servant brought he
!, large bundle and small note-a bun
IS die several feet long, and note fe
inches square. She opened the note fir
d and read these words:
2, My DEAR MISS SEABRIGHT: ] also ha1