Middletown transcript., 1878-03-30

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afresh.
"Wbew-w-w!' was the merchant
softly-breathed comment.
"I have been trying to convince he
how very absurd all this is, p" said Aun
Eloise, portly widow, in garnet sill
and carbuncle jewelry, who sat by, al
ternateIy quoting truism at her nelce
and shifting at a gold cassotetts tina
hung at her waist.
o'Maude," said Mr.. Bryant, gravely
"do You mean to tell me that you act
ually care for that young snip Of s
clerk p
Maude sat up Indignantly, witt
lightning in her black eyes.
Care for him, papa! | love him /?
every improper groaned Aunt
Eloise.
"Aunt, l wish you'd hold your
tonguew sputtered Maude, growing
prettier every moment in her bright
Indignation. Il do love him, papa,
with all my heart and soul!"
Aunt Eloise utteged hollow sigh,
and Mr.. Bryant looked at his daugh-
ter with face that was half troubled,
half amused
my little lily-fower," he said gent
ly, "all this sounds to me like a girls
romance. Maude Bryant is scarcely
fitted to be the wife Of Young man
like Charles May"
"But why not, papa?' pleaded
Maude, piteously. 4 love him, and !
II think he loves me"
Every probably" said Mr.. Bryant,
smiling. "But did it never occur to
you how very unsuitable a wife you
would make to man who has his own
way to win in the world?"
"No, papa" said Maude, eagerly
81 can dust furniture, and | can make
jellycake, and once | baked a cram
berry tart"
"Most important qualifications, yet
not quite all-sufiicient," said her faith
er, with the utmost gravity. "But inst
consider, my dear; here, on the one
hand, is salary Of eight hundred dol
lars year, or nine, we'll say. It's just
possible that out in Chicago, where he
has gone, they pay nine hundred dol
lars year; and here, on the other, is
Miss Bryant, with her little, white,
useless hands, and her luxurious ideas,
and her diamonds, and her silk dress
es. Why, my child, I don't suppose
you know what calico means"
eyes, indeed, papa," interrupted
earnestly. Il had a pink
French calico once, with pink coral
buttons that were three dollars each
don't you remember
"You poor mans wife," went on
her father, patting her little fevered
hand. "Maude, it would be like tax
ing one of the white japonicas out of
the conservatory, and planting it on a
bleak New England hill. What idea
have you Of the trials and sacrifices Of
life, my little petted child?"
"Papa!' sobbed the young girl, pas
81 am ready to endure any
make any sacrifice What
do l care for diamonds and dresses? +?
Papa" she exclaimed, suddenly start
ing up with an emphasis that made
Eloise drop her gold essence bottle,
"you think me mere butterfly that
cares for dress and jewels only. Now
listen to me: For one year from this
time-for one year, mind pledge
myself to wear no silks or jewels. VIII
you believe in ME at the years end?"
Il shall think you a very extraor-
dinary young lady, Maude, but-ex-
cuse, me, darling-I have no very
strong faith in your persistence"
.sYou will see" said Maude. shaking
her curls triumphantly. "And, oh,
papa-it-"
"Maude,' said Mr.. Bryant, with
quiet decision, Il have already ans
wered you-my decree admits of no
She would not cry any more, this
naughty little girl-she was too proud
to cry but she rose up and went away
with compressed lips and eyes whose
glitter was sadder far than tears.
q won't be discouraged, for all
this" she thought. Il will show papa
that l am something more than a
doll"
"Maude, your are not going to Mrs.
Heminway's in that dress 2"
Mrs. Harrington, superb in wine
colored velvet, with garnets blazing
round her plump throat and at her
wrists, stood Mortified as Maude came
tripping down stairs.
"Why not, Aunt Eloise? Z? I think
the dress is very neat.
Mr.. Bryant looked up from his eve
ming paper at the slender figure in
white, floating muslin, with white roses
hanging in among the blue-black curls
that touched her shoulders.
Il think so too," he said, quietly.
"Stuff and nonsense!" angrily ex-
claimed Aunt Eloise. "Richard Bry-
rants daughter in white muslin with
=. Il =. -