Litchfield enquirer., 1878-09-12

neither gracious nor ungraciOus. neither at- tractive or repellent. Her mood was sombre. and her manner istless. She allowed George swered @ cniv G ;n ~ mnncsvIlotIe. V0,, ,,st s sc- knowledge that am something of man of the world have some s00OSr. fdire; well, assure you nothing could have induced me to sit up there and talk to the girl love as George did. He was as cool as if it had been the merest matter of business-as if he were compromising suit of law with another at- torney. Among other things he said:
 Look here, Jennie, don't make any il- lusions about myself. I know am as uncouth and ugly as you are charming and beautiful, but that is all the more reason why you should accept me- Suppose you should mar " good looking man used to society he will be sure to have other women taking too much notice of him for your peace of mind, and is even more certain to haunt the clubs You don't want club man for husband; you have too much sense. As to my uncouthness, that will wear of. am improving every week as it is and with little kindness and advice from you promise wonders. But am not in good circumstances. We'll, if you knew as I do the way money disappears in New York among people supposed to be be- yond-all question wealthy, it would make you skeptical But say you did get solidly rich 1us it's, perhaps to vicious habits, and he can not be expected to have any business in life. You know what it is to have husband who does nothing you have seen such cases among your friends. Do you know of any wives more unhappy? Jennie am going to make my mark in the world-f you do not break my heart at the outset. l am going to be great lawyer. Ten years hence my wife will be proud of me; she will have stand among people of intelligence, on my account, no mat ter who she may have been. need wife who has good manners and a knowledge of the world-in the best sense; who will attend to the social side while am fighting for liveli- hood and fame. Don't break my heart and ruin my fortune You may say that is none of your affair, that my heart may have been made to be broken it is quite true. You are not to blame. But then I love you sO-terri- blyi You have everything lack-beauty, grace, tact, care of small things, propriety, knowledge of the world, skepticism. You are dreadfully skeptical. It may seem absurd to argue that because have not these you ought to be my wife; it seems all one-sided and sell fish. But l am confident you will find as many things in me which you lack. will give you faith by being always your devoted lover; will teach you, by example, to love. Don't think 1 am trying to wound you, but you have no conception of love you don't know how terrible and yet delightful thingitis. Give me chance; take me on probation let us be engaged conditionally.'
 "Just then Jennie arose frNm the table, pushed back her char, and left the room quiet ly before George could do any thing. Her quick eyes had noted that one or two people were beginning to remark the earnest manner of the l0w-voiced speaker. could judge nothing from her firm face; it was not sullen, and yet it was anything but joyous.
 George made no remark, and set to at his meal. which, as you may imagine, had been neglected. But he ate very little, considering his determined and easy air. His eyes roved out toward the sea, where Jennie had been fix ing hers during the long argument, and seem- ed to find,in that monotonous segment of a blue sphere much the same absorbing visions Jennie found. All of sudden it struck me as very odd that I did not feel at all jealous of this ardent lover to whom Jennie had been listening so very quietly. Was I still so posi- tive that his efforts would be useless or could be getting little cool in my own love for the charmer? It was subject requiring thought, and alone, so I retired to the bluff and made my way down te the beach in order that 1 might get counsel from the sea shore. Achilles, or Hector, or some one of the old buffers we used to read about in college, did that, and to great effect, too, if I remember rightly,
 other things, but all to no purpose, and after long stroll and bask in the sun, returned to the beach opposite the hotel. Who should l meet there but Jonnie? She was with her married friend, and was looking over her shoulder as she walked as if she feared some one was following But George was net in sight. They proposed to bathe, and demand ed my escort. You know the women have a way of asking things of that kind in such tone that escape is impossible, so resigned myself to the fore-fated. Jennie would be there, at any rate, and she never looked ugly in any thing. Her dress was marvel of be- cOmingness, and although it did not exactly cling to her figure, still-you understand me. So in we went, Imagine Jennie's dismay when, just as we let the first ripple touch our feet, the voice of George was heard, and that monster appeared, hung with bathing apparel too small for him. 1 say monster, but the truth is, the less clothes he has on the better he looks. And when he was thoroughly wet he made @ fine sight. Somehow his big face was in keeping with his big muscles, and the big ocean was in keeping with his big man. hood As she gave sly glance at his figure, George took Jennie's hand with perfect sim plicity and good faith, never dreaming that had undertaken this affair solely for the pleas ure of being near her. The matron fell to me, and we made the best of it: not so very bad, when tell you she was only few years the senior of Jennie, and twice as larky.
 "You know what an abominably ridiculous thing surf-bathing is. We'll, we were all, ex- cept George, as ridiculous as we could be- Luckily they had chosen the hour when few people are about. We were banged about and upset the usual number of times-at least was. George managed better, and little Jane found it necessary to hold te him as if he were post.
 '' 'Jennie,' said he, as great breaker curl ed over toward them, what am to do when bad luck comes at me like that? If have net you to care for, will lie down and let it beat me to pieces-just like this.'
 No, don't please don't r cried little Jane, holding on with all her might, and afraid he would not catch the breaker rightly.
 "'This is glorious fun, said he, coming up from the roller, and setting Jennie on her feet I can not leave this and go back to that work in town. I tell you what i will do: if you say positively you never under any circumstances will marry me, will walk out and see what the under-tow has to say for itself.'
 Oh, Georgep
 By love, am in earnest. It might as well be over at once. have nothing to live for. Nobody will miss me-
 Another breaker fell on them, and again Jennie had to cling te the big -boned fellow.
 Jennie, said George holding her tightly still after the pillow broke, if you say yes, go back to land with you if you say no, you must go alone. Yes or noT
 Jennie looked up in his face to see if he were in joke ; but he was as ssolemn as funer- al. Then she looked at the next wave rearing 2 huge giassy curve of Opaqueness before them. 'Y-yes, dear George, yesi ohp They did not bathe any more.
 Well, this is spinning out longer than thought. But the end Is near. George went back that night, and Jennie was different woman. She would have no more to say to me, except that it was all over between us. Of course protested, became furious and pre- tended that would be abusive. But Jennie l cut me short by affirming that did not love her. so very much, after ala fact I then in- dignantly denied, but now acknowledge. So | there was an end of that passed very un- comfortable summer, and returned to town in order to find George installed as favorite in my place. Of course I continued my visits. It would not do for me to appear jealous or Tfyn r,a4An kn1 Il.-1a