Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-11-29

mond ring that will lead my bride to
the altar in less than year, and she will
be no other than the fair Jennie Kings
ton."
Her face grew 2ttle paler, and the
lace handkerchief went up to the brown
eyes again. Suddenly new thought
seemed to disturb the serenity of Jim's
mind, for he glanced up in her face
anxiously, and interrogated
Jennie, you don't mean to say that
you're in dead earnestP"
"Yes, Jim, am"
A long silence, finally broken by the
abrupt inquiry
"Why won't you marry mep"
"Why, you see, Jim, the truth is,
I'm-engaged."
Engagedp he yelled furiously,
springing to his feet then seizing her
arm almost rudely, he demanded in
low tone: "Jennie, tell me who the
fellow is"
ST won't"
eyes, you will"
"Well, then, it's Colonel Dalton"
Colonel Dalton What, bald-headed
old"-
"Sir You will please recollect that
you are speaking of my future hus-
band"
Husband Why, Jennie, he's old
enough to be your grandfather; but
then he's rich.
"I certainly have no occasion to mar
ry for money!" she asserted proudly.
"True, you have not hence I fail
to comprehend your sudden determine
ton to marry Dalton. You don't love
him. Jennie-you can't"
"Jim, it is rude and unkind for you
to talk to me as you do"
"Well, I'm not in the humor for ut
tering polite commonplaces. want to
know if you love that man,"
You have no right to ask me such q
question"
"Yes, I have the very best right in
the world. L have worshiped you from
my boyhood, gand the idea of relinquish-
ing you to any one half maddens me
How much more the thought of your
bestowing that little white hand-my
little hand-upon one who can never
possess your heart Tell me the truth,
Jennie. Have you any real affection for
him ?" :.
"No."
"Hurrah I knew it ! Now listen to
me. I am going to ask you for the last
time. Do you care anything for me9"
"Of course l do"
81 knew that also; but it does my
very soul good to hear you say SO. Now
give me kiss, N.Y.
"Go away, Jim! 1 have not the
slightest idea of kissing you"
"Why, how queer you are What's
the matterP 1 thought that was the
regular way to settle up this business"
"What business ?"
"Our engagement.
Jim, don't you, can't you under
stand that I have solemnly promised to
ton ?''
Jim laughed provokingly. "Did he
kiss you?"
81 should have boxed his ears if he
had attempted such a thing /"
After long pause. Jim inquired, sad
ly, "Jennie, what on earth made you
do it?"
"I'll tell you all about il, she an
swered. you have of course observed
that he has been one of my most de-
voted followers ever since we came here
have discarded him two or three times,
but it does not do the least bit of good.
He comes right back again as attentive
and persistent as before. Well, last
evening, he enticed poor mamma out on
the balcony, and they had long talk
together. Shortly afterward, mamma
enticed poor me up to her room, and we
had long talk together, Jim, she was
inexorable Nothing less than an i'm
mediate and unconditional surrender
would satisfy her. l said everything 1
could think of-called him few names,
which she declared hurt her feelings
very much, but I could not move her an
atom. Finally I got scared, and what
do you suppose I told her said that
was going to marry youP You ought
to have seen her then She gazed at
me moment precisely as il had stated
an intention of leaping to the moon.
Then she inquired placidly: Has
James ever asked you to become his
wife?' Now, you poor unhappy sinner,
what could say to that, but no2 Then
followed q most interesting discourse,
setting forth in startling manner the
folly and madness of those erring fe-
males who place their hearts young
affections upon any individual who has
not taken the trouble to ask for them. She
went on in this strain till I became very
much ashamed of myself, and Just a
little bit angry with you. While l was
yet in this comfortable frame of mind, I
chanced to encounter the colonel, and,
like little idiot, accepted him. That
is all, Jim. At this moment a skiff
with a single occupant shot around an
abrupt bend in the shore, and came
swiftly toward them. Jennie glanced
up, and exclaimed in hurried whisper:
"Good gracious, it's Colonel Dalton
and he's coming up here"
And he came.
The colonel bowed very graciously to
Mr.. Colburn, and then, turning to the
young lady, remarked smilingly, "Ah,
here you are, little runaway. have
been looking for you. Do you not think
it is time to return" "
"Oh, yes" she replied, "we we're
going to start this minute" Then, turn.
ing to jim: "Why, believe have
lost my glove. Will you just walk back
to that old arbor. / think it must be
there"
"Oh, certainly" responded the astute
Jim will go with pleasure"
"You see," explained Jennie, as she
accepted the proffered arm of the gal
liant colonel, ~ wanted to speak with
you q moment, so ! sent him away"
Indeed / shall be very happy H