The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-02-15

broke my limb. You remember it'll Yol
also condoled with me upon the care
less shot which cost me my eye, thougl
you did not know how serious was tn,
result"
1t was while was on trip to Switz
erland that broke my back, and Will,
endeavoring to drink some boiling te,
the housekeeper left carelessly upon thu
table, l scalded all the hair from my
head. This scar upon my cheek is the re
suit of having attempted to shave my
self with my fathers razor. 1t wa
injudicious of him not to tell you thu
result of my injuries, but now you SET
them for yourself. 1 will not 60 into
further particulars. You remember al
my accidentsT'
eyes," said Betsy, Sand a fine fggel
of man they've made you. You'd dc
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.
"Oh, no." said Betsy, " oh, no, 1 don't
there's the fortune, you know. 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 together! One comfort,
though; so broken down as you must be,
you can't last long"
"On 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"
"We were deprived of their affections
very suddenly" said the young man
signing. "My father loved yours dearly,
Miss Seabright."
"Folks will take queer notions" said
Betsy. "Well, I must say you are an
b ject. I can't help laughing, whenever
Hook at you"
"We shall have a very merry life to-
gether," said Harold, eff your disposi-
ton continues"
"Oh, l shan't see much of you" said
Betsy. 81 can promise you. after the
ring is on. What possessed you to smash
yourself upso? But shan't refuse you.
It's money makes the mare CO. says the
old song"
"It may be-" said Harold. "But let
the mare stand still for me, then. Iquite
decline to fulfill the engagement. So,
madam you have the fortune without
any incumbrance in my person"
"And good riddance to bad rubbish,
say Ip' cried Betsy. "There are better
fish in the sea than you, or women would
be poorly off. You're going, eh? Well,
the sooner the better. Miss Smith, ring
the bell"
ELSIE IOSe duu GOuCuOu blC DCiA'
But now that the deed was done, and
her object attained, she felt dreadfully
ashamed ofherself.
Certainly more unhappy and singular
object than this before her could not
well be imagined.
Indeed, compassionate as was her
heart, she felt that his appearance was
not only painful, but almost ludicrous,
but all the more should he have been
tenderly and kindly used.
Why had she played this childish
prank, and allowed vulgar woman to
insult him in her presence?
And this gentleman-for hideous as
he was, he evidently was gentleman by
breeding as well as by birth-how would
he henceforth think of her?
He would always believe that she had
uttered those rude words; she and none
other.
And as he left the room she followed
him and the servant who had answered
the bell retired at her nod, and left the
two together in the long hall, where
they could hear the long and violent ex-
plosions of laughter with which Betsy
was now filling the drawing-room.
"Mr. Harrington" said Elsie, hel
face crimsoning as she spoke, 81 cannot
let you 90 without a word of explana
ton. II have been so grieved thai
you should be so insulted. / never
meant"
"My dear young lady, you have moth
ing to do with it, and my feelings are moi
in the least hurt" replied the young
man. "Who could care anything for {
person like the woman we have just lef
could say? But 1 am amazed that tha
should be Miss Seabright. know she il
lady by birth. 1 understood that sh'
was beautiful and gentle. L"
"Oh, Mr.. Harrington" cried Elsie
"I have been such a foolish girl! She il
not Miss Seabright. am Miss Seabright
Lit was a ridiculous stratagem o
mine. hated the idea of a betrothal tt
stranger, and 1 desired that you shoule
take the initiative in breaking off tn
match. But, believe me, Ihad no knowl
edge of your infrmities, which could b.
only subject for sympathy to me; ant
1 beg you to forgive me for placing tha
coarse woman in position in which sh
could insult you. Prove it by remaining
with me until l can offer you some re
freshment after your long journey"
The young man bowed, looked at he
moment, and then replied franklyi
"Madam, quite appreciate your me
tives and entirely forgive you. I al
pleased to accept your invitation"
1t was the custom in well arrange
houses at that day to send guests to thei
rooms for awhile before dinner.
Accordingly Miss Seabright ordered
servant to show Mr.. Harrington to a
apartment on the upper floor, and retire
to her own room to dress for dinner.
Ten minutes after her entrance int
this apartment, this servant brought HI