The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-07-14

him, Betsy-never the least bit kind or
nice. You'll try, won't you, Betsy"
Il can give anyone as good as they
send, miss" said Betsy. "Im no mealy-
mouth; and you'll pay me well, misss"
"Tll give you $780, Betsy" said the
girl, :" for you'll save me freedom and
my fortune; and you'll not refuse him,
you know, else all would be spoilt."
CPL manage" said Betsy.
Then the two girls left all other work
to examine Elsies 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, "will be your
poor companion, and you must call me
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
respect to Miss Seabright in an hour. How
Miss Seabright laughed as she sat wait
ing in the drawing-rOom watching Betsy
sail up and down with all her new as.
sumption of dignity! Betsy, with the
most amiable intentions, would have
been sure of offending; but Betsy, bent
on being unpleasant, would be grand
success.
Just then Betsy herself leaned from the
window
go missw she cried, "there's car
riage at the door, and there's gentle
man coming out of it. Bless us! if that's
him, don't wonder you want to be off
your match. Deary me! oh, deary mew
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, never
theless, grew an enormous hump. He
also, though he seemed to move actively
enough, walked upon crutches. On his
head, from which he had removed his
cap, was black silk skull.cap, such as
entirely bald old gentlemen then wore.
Over his ears was big black bandage,
which also quite covered his chin. On
his right eye was a large green patch;
on his left cheek another. All that was
visible of his face was his nose, which
was certainly well shaped, but which was
much the color of red flannel; and about
his throat was indeed flannel muller.
This was Harold Harrington.
Elsie's surprise was so great that she
sank into a chair, and forgot to prompt
Betsy as she intended.
But Betsy needed no prompting. She
was not in the least embarrassed.
She advanced to meet Mr.. Harrington
with grin of supreme insolence on her
face, and burst into a loud laugh.
Well" she said, 80 you are my
young man, are you? Unjust say whoever
picked you out showed no mighty great
taste; 'twasn't for your beauty, that's
plain"
mo, madam" said the new arrival,
it was not for my beauty. Do l ad
dress Miss Seabright?"
Why, who else should l be-" cried
Betsy. 'Twas not for your cleverness,
neither, you were chosen. But now you
have come, sit down. Been in the wars,
haven't your"
"My infirmities," sighed the young
man, "are the result of my recklessness
as boy. have a most sympathizing
letter from you upon the fall which broke
my limb. You remember it? You also
condoled with me UPON the careless shot
which cost me my eye, though you did
not know how serious was the result 1t
was while | was on trip to Switzerland
that broke my back, and while endeav
oring to drink some boiling tea the
hOusekeeper left carelessly upon the ia
BILE | sCalded all the hair from my head.
This scar upon my cheek is the result of
having attempted to shave myself with
my fathers razor 1t was injudiCious of
him not to tell you the result of my injuries,
but now you've seen them for yourself.
| will not go into further particulars.
You remember all my accidents"
Yes" said Betsy, "and fine fgger
of a man they've made you, You'd do
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 me?" said the young
man, very eagerly.
80 no." said Betsy, 81 don't; there's
the fortune, youknow 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 to
gether! 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"
eve were deprived of their affections
very suddenly" said the young man,
signing my father loved yours dear
ly, Miss Seabright."
Folks will take queer notions" said
Betsy. "Well, / must say you are an
object l can't help laughing when
ever l look at you"
I'VE shall have a very merry life to-
gether," said Harold, if your DISPOSE
ton continues"
"Oh, shant see much of YOU" said
Betsy, 81 can promise you, after the
ring is on. What possessed you to
smash yourself up so? But sha'nt re-
fuse you. It's money makes the mare
60, says the old song"
IT NAV no " suid Harold 90 Pint Lot