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

cross the ocean TO meet his bethrothed
and give her an opportunity to refuse
him.
The news of his arrival brought into
full activity those feelings of repugnance
that Elsie had conceived for Harold in
her childhood.
She had, for while, resolved to yield
to her dead fathers wishes, but now she
felt that it would be impossible.
Yet there was enough of worldly wis.
dom in her head, to teach her how much
better it was to be rich than to be poor.
If he refused her, her fortune and his
also would be her own by law.
She would force him to refuse her, and
then she would return him his, and all
would be as it should But how could
she do this.
The girl sat for awhile in deep revery,
and then arose and clapped her hands
together. A thought had struck her.
There was in the house seamstress-
vulgar girl, as plain as it was possible
to be, and with as much conceit as any
young beauty was ever blessed with.
Her rough manners and ways of speech
had become proverbial amongst her own
class, the other servants speaking of her
generally as Crusty Betsy. And this girl
had of late been occupied in the room of
her young mistress over some new
dresses.
Straight to this apartment Elsie flew,
and locking the door, sat down opposite
Betsy, and said:
"I have something for you to do, and
I'll pay you well for it,"
"Just name it then" said Betsy.
"When was little girl, Betsy" said
Elsie, "poor papa promised that /
should marry young gentleman who
lives in England when I was grown, and
that if ] did not should lose my for
tune. Now the time has come and he is
coming, and / can't marry him, Betsy,
and l want him to refuse me. Do you
understand
81 understand" said Betsy, "and if l
were you I'd huff him off quick enough,
and make him glad to go, that 1 would" J"
"And 1 can't think how to do it,,
Betsy" said Elsie, "and if you can you
must do it for me. While he stays you
must pretend that you are Miss Sea-
bright, you must wear my clothes, and
take ali the airs you possibly can, and
make him as unhappy as possible, so that
he'll have to refuse you-that is, ME,
you know. Be sharp as you can with
him, Betsy-never the least bit kind or
nice. You'll try, won't you, Betsy?
"I can give any one as good as they
send, miss" said Betsy. "Pm no mealy-
mouth and you'll pay me well, miss p
7"Pn give you hundred dollars,
Betsy" said the girl, for you'll save
me my freedom and my fortune; and
you'll not refuse him, you know, else all
will be spoilt."
"Fll MANAGE" said Betsy.
Then the two girls left all other work
to examine Elsie's wardrobe, and soon
Betsy was dressed in the most elegant
attire, her hair powdered, as was the
custom, and white gloves upon her
hands.
"And l." said Elsie al will be your
poor companion, and you must call nae
Miss Smith, and snub me and order me
about"
Thus all was arranged when the little
letter Elsie had been so long expecting
arrived, and breaking its blue seal, she
read that Mr.. Harrington would pay his
respects to Miss Seabright in an hour.
How Miss Seabright laughed as she sat
waiting in the drawing-room watching
Betsy sail up and down with all her new
assumption of dignity. Betsy with the
most amiable intentions, would have
been sure of offending; but Betsy, bent
on being unpleasant, would be a grand
success.
Just then Betsy herself leaned from the
window.
"Oh, missw she cried, there's car
riage at the door, and there's a gentleman
coming out of it. Bless us if that's
him, don't wonder you want to be of
your match. Deary me oh, deary me p
But before she could explain servant
had brought Elsie card bearing the
name of Harold Harrington, and as she
arose the most extraordinary figure en-
tered the room.
1t was very tall young man, between
whose shoulders, nevertheless, grew an
enormous hump. He also, though he
seemed to move actively enough, walked
upon crutches.
On his head, from which he had re
moved his cap, was a black silk skull
cap, such as entirely bald old gentlemen
then wore.
Over his ears was a big black bandage
which also quite covered his chin.
On his right eye was large, greer
patch oD his left cheek another.
ALI that was visible of his face was hi
nose, which was certainly well shaped
but which was much the color of re'
flannel and about bis throat asindeec
flannel muller.
This was Harold Harrington.
Elsie's surprise was so great that sh
sank into chair, and forgot to promp
Betsy as she had intended.
But Betsy needed ne prompting. Sh
was not in the least embarrassed.
She advanced to meet Mr.. Harringto
with a grin of supreme insolence on he
face and burst into loud laugh.
WE'LL" she said, $50 you are m
| young man, are you? 1 must say, VIII,
ever picked you out showed no might
great taste; twasn't for your beaut
3 that's plain"
> "No, madam" said the new arriva
: I" it was not for my beauty. Do addre
3 Miss Seabright?"
3 "Why who else should be?' erie
D Betsy. "Twas not for your clevernes