The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-03-03

he was-was-well, he was horrid! And
| the question he has asked you concern
ing me to-day ne would have asked me
long ago but that prevented him; that
is why ne hasn't been here lately"
4" Then you don't care to listen to all
ne said?"
" No, sir, shall never marry Mr. Ed
wards nor any other man, save Archer
Langdon-and-"
" Hold on, Josephine, don't mention
that boy again!" interrupted her father;
but Josie, who had enough of the Brown
obstinaCy about her to make her indeed
her fathers own child, lifted her pretty
head defantly and REPLIED
" If you had brought me letter from
Archer, sir, or a proposal like this of
Mr.. Edwards from him, you would have
gladdened me beyond words; but l beg
you not to give yourself future trouble
with such messages from any other of
our gentlemen friends, since l shall only
answer as | now answer-nop
Mr.. Browns face put off its jovial
look, and, rising from his chair, he said,
sternly:
When I bring you letter from
Archer LangdOn, miss, or word of love
from him, you may most assuredly mar
ry him! But, mark my words, your
chances of marrying him on those condi-
tions are about as poor as that | shall
change into-into a saint; ha! mar
The insanity of the latter idea restored
Mr.. Brown to good humor, and he sad
denly remembered some valentines
Josie in his coat pocket.
"By the by, Bob asked me to give you
one or two of those ridiculous things-t-
two | believe-which some friends gave
him, particularly for you. l thought
valentines were secret and mysterious
affairs; but it seems these fellows didn't
care if they were known. He got them
from his overcoat inside pocket. Bob
said he wouldn't be home until late"
Josie took the dainty things, and in
differently, to all appearances, asked her
father if he knew who sent them.
No; Bob didn't say, nor didn't ask
nor trouble TO look at the things"
Soup in her own room Josie read her
valentines, and laughed over one, while
the other brought tears in the midst of
smiles.
With the middle of the evening came
Bob, and somebody else who waited out
side in the hall until Bob had silently
motioned Josie out of the parlor. Then
that somebody took the girl closely in
his arms, and Bob sat down on the low
est stair to laugh if possible, without
making sound. Then-Mr. Brown,
reading his paper, was interrupted by
two figures who stood beside him arm in
arm.
Father dear" said Josie sweetly,
" Archie wishes to thank you for your
gracious consent to our betrothal, and so
do l, kissing the astcnished paternal
face and throwing her arms about the
old gentleman's neck.
Betrothal be hangedm was Mr..
Browns reply. What is all this tom
foolery: Archie Langdon, l thought
you a gentleman, sir, and yet you have
dared to speak again to my daughter of
love"
Father, your own words gave con-
sent to our marriage. You promised me
this very afternoon that when you
brought me an offer from Archie | should
consider your consent gained. With
YOUR own hand unu gave mo I-.ohIn'e lot
ter, and little merry note from Bob
which you, poor, innocent, dear papa,
believed to be valentines. Now you will
not take back your promise to your only
daughter"
Who has played this miserable trick
on me-" growled the exasperated man,
and Bob fearlessly came forward, look
ing the very image of the wife Mr.. Brown
loved so well, and with his hand some,
boyish face full of restrained laughter.
Father, l plead guilty; forgive US
all, and acknowledge that you have been
done up Brown ~. 7. Mercury,