The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-10-18
ANDERSON, s. C THURSDAY oClObEh TO- lol
aTbv fatber,~ she continued. lookin,

serenity of manner that was her chile
characteristic, "has asked me to be hi
wife; what answer would you advise m
to give him?" i,
"The devilw exclaimed Frederick
Jumping out of his chair with violenc
that nearly overturned it.
81 do mot; think Theiwould be satisfied
with that reply, friend Frederick; lik'
it not myself" replied Rachel, with ,th'
utmost gravity.
"Pardon me, Rachel! / spoke from th'
impulse of the moment, and certainly IN
tended no disrespect to him or you. Blu
has my father really made you matrimo
nal overtures he added, in the tone o
one who doubts :, the evidence of MI
senses. y 3. : -
"Truly, friend Frederick, he has
How would thee like me for mother 2
continued the pretty Quakeress.
Frederick looked at her so intently
that the fringed lids fell over the liquid
eyes in very modesty.
Rachel" he said, very softly and
earnestly, itnprisoning the nnresistine
hand that rested 80 temptingly on the
table beside Ghim, in his own, "Rache
Burns, it is useless for me to longer veal
the mask of indifference. love you
Yes, / take pleasure in confessing to the
simple Quakeress what never whispered
in the ear of proud beauty, petted
heiress, or naughty woman Of the
world. Rachel, be my wife?"
"And thy father ?" aueried our heroine
very demurely. IL 4s
"Oh, confound-I mean that he won't
mind the exchange. It's all in the fami.
ly, you know. But I came near losing
you, didn't I, you modest little puss ~
Frederick's face was radiant.
'Thee seems to take everything fol
granted; perchance thee won't get me,
after ALL" said Rachel, with provoking
sedateness. "Thees knows, friend, that
am Quakeress thee doesn't like gray
gowns, nor drab bonnets, nor the plain
language. Confess that thee doesn't?
The young man looked a little vexed.
"Who told you I did not like them p
he asked, quickly.
''Then thee art under some obligations
to one Ann Gordon, who, l am told, ex.
poets to be thy wife, Fie, friend Fred
erick Thou shouldst not make love to
two maidens at the same time," contin-
ued9thel Quakeress, in that particular
tone that never failed to touch the young
mans better nature.
"Rachel," he replied, slowly and Sc.
riously 'let me sit down beside you and
explain, this vexatious affair. The re-
nowned Ann Gordon whom. you NEIL
toned, is the daughter of a wealthy and
respectable Quaker of Philadelphia, and,
moreover, highly valued friend of my
fathers, Now, these,twor worthy gentle
men thought it would be a fne'thing if
Miss Gordon and your humble servant
would ..take upon themselves marriage
VOWS, and become a;Inited ornament to
the two families they represent. But the
thing hasn't worked just as they expected.
I have. looked upon this marriage with
aversion, since I was old enough to reason
upon the subject. Miss Gordon has been
/ my bugbear! haven't seen her since
she was ten years old, nor have the
remotest idea how she looksrrI dare say
she is fright: am sensible that I have
been in fault; / should have written ito
the lady's father, telling him my honest
sentiments, and my desire that the tacit
engagement be broken of. dare say
this would have ended the matter; but
have weakly let year after year slip away,
putting off the evil day, solely on my
fathers account, who is quite as earnest
for this match now as he was when was
in jackets.
"And now, my friend, J. have another
confession to make. ALI my life have
entertained an absurd prejudice against
Quakers. I detested their primitive
garb, their precise manners, their pecu-
| liar language and thus you can, in part,
understand my dislike to my bride in
prospective But, Rachel, I am thor
.oughly cured, and by you. My emanci-
patton from prejudice commenced on the
morning you so seriously took me to
task for laughing at Jessie, when she had
so absurdly dressed herself in imitation
of you. q ], no longer ridicule the gray
dress; thees' and 'thous' have peculiar
charm for me-when you utter them.
Rachel-and I can even tolerate that
drab bonnet, which Jessie so ridiculously
denominated four-scoop, when it shades
your fair face"
"Now, my lovely confessor, what am
to do? 1t is very evident that I canno!
marry both. Ann Gordon and Rachel
Burns; besides, I don't love one, and
do love the other. You see the advice
will all,have to be. on your side now
Try andigive- me little encouragement
my friend"
Rachel was silent moment.
''Thee must go and see this Ann Cor
don," she replied, presently.
"And leave you, Rachel, when I have
lust found out how necessary you are tt
my happiness I" exclaimed the young
man, disappointedly.
81 am going away for few days, i
thy father will release me, and thee COR
visit this maiden in my absence. My
mother is i'll, and needs my assistance
'But what good will it do to visit her
I don't like her, and shan't marry any
body don't like!" returned Frederick
rather pettishly. -. -
"Thee is not obliged to marry her un
less thee choosest; but it is right to trea
the maiden with courtesy. Methinks
friend Frederick, thou art somewhat irri
table tonight" said the Quakeress. Th'
smile that accompanied these words re
stored the young mans equanimity in
moment.
"You are right, Rachel, as you alway
are, believe" he said frankly. "Bu
your GOODNESS and composure under al
circumstances, is matter of wonder t
me. Not 1.-THE of excitement is visibl
in your manner, your eyeisis calm, you
pulses even, your blood flows on as quiet
iy as though you slept, your hand lie
passive in mine. You have wonderful
selfcontrol, or else you are as impassabl
as marble. Which is it, Rachel ?"
"verily, thee must find that out thy
selfw she laughed, striving to extricat
her hand.