The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1877-04-12
BETROTHED IN INFANCY.

DEIhOIhED IN lNFANCIs
"My DEAR" said Mrs. Wickerly to
her son, "step into my library a mo-
ment. have an important commune
cation to make to you."
This was a solemn announcement,
and young Mr.. Wickerly might have
been alarmed but that he knew his
mother 30 we'll. So, without much Gu
riosity, he followed his mother, cigar in
hand, into the small room which tri-
fling and miscellaneous collection of
books elevated to the rank ascribed to it
in his mothers summons. There was a
large armchair in the centre of this
room. and in this Mrs. Wickerly seated
herself.
Waverly, my DEAR" she said, as she
folded her hands, will you oblige me
by extinguishing your cigarT
"Why, mother, was not aware that
you objected to good cigar" said Wa
verify.
"Nor do l." said Mrs. Wickerly !;
personally l am not aVerse to it. But
there are topics too serious to be smoked
over. Waverly Wickerly," continued
the lady, "you are to-day one-and-
twenty"
GA birthday party" thought Wa
verify, with mental gr0an.
And" continued Mrs. Wickerly, "it
is now time to apprise you of matter
which has rested on my mind since your
birth"
Cant be fortune coming to me-"
thought Waverly.
IkoI oxir1hnnd Iaor frionI -
said Mrs. Wickerly, signing. cara
minta Eyelina Isadora Blush. She mar
ried when ] did. Her babe was born
on the same day as mine."
"I hope l haven't been changed in
the cradle, and am about to find out
that am somebody else," said Waverly,
still aside.
"The babe was GIRL" said Mrs.
Waverly. "Her mother named her
Adeliza Gloroina Imogene. AS her life
partner was unfortunately called Squills,
the young child was naturally Adeliza
Gloroina Imogene Squills. Ladies have
one advantage over gentlemen-they
may one day change their last names.
My dear son, Adeliza Gloroina ImOgene
Wickerly would not sound i'll"
Whyp calculated Waverly.
"Be calm," said Mrs, Wickerly. more
solemnly than ever" it will not be long
before you know all"
She arose and went to her desk, and
drew forth roll of paper, which she
held in her hand as she reseated herself.
"When my friend and myself first
met after the birth of our offspring"
said Mrs. Wickerly, casting up her eyes,
"our emotions overpowered us. We
fell into each others arms, and could not
speak; but after we had passed some
moments thus, l, having the stronger
will, found power to utter these words:
1T is as we wished, Araminta; yours is
a boy, mine girl"
81 grip cried Waverly.
"I mean l said exactly the reverse"
said Mrs. Wickerly, "that mine was a
boy, hers girl; there now. And ycu
know it, you impertinent boy"
"I understand now," said Waverly.
"I began to be afraid you had exchanged
U.S."
"Ah," said Mrs. Wickerly. "No,
my son. Do you not yet comprehend?
We had promised each other if our
children were boy and girl to betroth
them in infancy"
Waverly only stared at his mother.
I'VE kept our PROMISE" said Mrs.
Wickerly, applying her handkerchief to
her eyes. eve betrotbed you then and
there. This is the document to which
our mutual signatures are appended.
Our husbands knew nothing of the mat
ter. Your poor papa was broker, and
naturally not romantic. And DR..
Squills-and, well, say nothing against
DR.. Squills; but he was cold, very cold.
l think medical men generally are.
And he was an old bachelor of forty
when my sweet friend married him in
her seventeenth year. She was q year
younger than I, 30 that at your birth we
were mere girls in age, fresh, romantic,
loving, full of hope. / think, my dear
have shown you my miniature taken at
that time"
And Mrs. Wickerly glanced at her
still pretty face In the glass over the
mantel-piece.
"My dear mamma" said Waverly, 81
am still kept in anxiety. Mrs. Squills
died five years ago, / think, and then a
widow. The compact then"
"I hold it inviolate. The young lady
lives. You have been betrothed to her.
You are gentleman"
"Botherationp cried Waverly.
Nonsense, mamma. could not have
suspected you of such folly. What does
1t matter to me what couple of silly
young women did when / was a month
or so oldf You can't legally betroth
two people in infancy. You can't marry
a man against his will. You surely
don't expect the young lady to be will
ing to be handed over in this style.
Probably she Is already married"
No, my son, she remains sipgle.n
said Mrs. Wickerly. "Permit me to tell
ou dU."
"Go on" said WaverIy, striding up
and down the room.
My frieDd-I cannot call her Mrs.
Squills-has departed this life, as you
say" proceeded Mrs. Wickerly; "but
ere her demise she made a will. The
doctor had been generous to her; he
left her rich, and she gave all To her
daughter on condition hot she married
pOu. Otherwise she is penniless. Though.
Of course, should you formally refuse TO
accept her hand, she not being to blame.
Is still an heiress."
"All right, then," said Waverly. "I