The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-08-01

already pronounced too old for q
scheol girl Could it be possible that
fate in caprice destined the girlish de-
mand to be answered not by black
silk" but by a pearl whlte wedding
gown? Time alone could tell.
Flushed and radiant, and with but
one thought in her heart, Dolly, glided
down the stairs and entered the library.
But she recOiled with establishment when
Mr.. Hurd, alert with expectation, step, ed
briskly forward, and lifting her hand to
his lips, kissed the finger-tips devotion
ally.
Ned BertOn, at the instant entering
the door behind Dolly, saw the compIa-
cent face of his rival and his assurance
in the little act of gallantry. Springing
forward, he laid his hand authoritatively
and pOssessively upon DolIy's shoulder
Mr.. Hurd drew himself erect, and his
inquiring stare changed to undisguised
snimosity as he encountered Ned's blaz-
ing eyes.
g What does this mean, sir?" he de-
manded.
here to see me, said Ned.
"You are mistaken, sir" answered
Eustace Hurd, haughtily. "diss Der
tation."
The mems voices were loud and angry.
Mrs. Dsrwent, who in an adjoining room
awaited with futtering anxiety the
result of the interview which she be
lieved would cOnsummate the q brilliant
match" long held in contemplation, and
for which she had used sill her motherly
influence to inspire Dolly with a sense
of its advantages. could not possibly
restrain her impatience and her indig-
nant concern at this violent interruption.
She came into the library, and caught
DOlly's hand to withdraw her from the
hold of her youthful lover.
" Mr.. BartOn," she said angrily, " how
dare you infringe upon the rights of
hospitality so far as to annoy my daugh-
ter?''
As she spoke, she felt a strong, COM
handing hand laid upon her shoulder
she turned, and saw her husband. Mr.
Derwent, who had been pacing up and
down the hall in unusual disturbance
Of mental equsnimity, had also heard
the angry voices, and hastened into the
library.
"My dear" he said to his wife, Ned
is authorized to do So"
& Authorized By whom ?" said Mrs.
Derwent.
" Surely, sir" interpOsed Mr.. Hurd,
you do not mean to repudiate your
wife's responsibility in this matter?
presumed that you were one; presumed
50 not only from the admirable harmony
of your lives, but rom the very nature
of the case. l presumed that your
united judgment had of course"
"What do you mean, sir ?' said Mr.
Derwent.
"Wh8t do you mean, father, dear p
said Mrs. Derwent; recovering herself
and pushing Dolly away, who had
rushed to her father and chung con-
fidingly to his arm. "What is the mean
ing of this unhappy contretemps, my
love ?"
" Simply this answered Mr.. Derwent.
d" A young man, a dear boy whom Ihave
known since he was a baby, a worthy,
true-hearted fellow, l sincerely believe,
the son of my college chum and my
friend of lifetime, came to me an hour
ago, and pleaded his case like a rising
young lawyer as he is, and rousing
warm-hearted yOungster-pleaded his
claims to be allowed to win Dolly That
was your expression, wasn't it, Ned p
to win DOlly?'
q Yes, sir" said DoIly's lover, who
stood apart, with his arms folded, his
head erect, and his eyes blazing like
" live Goals from the sltar"-perfectly
majestic. So poor little Dolly, shrinking
and trembling, and yenturing but one
glance, thought to her hearts core.
thought that very moment and forever,
Every well, then" continued Mr..
Derwent, " gave my consent to Ned to
90 in and win her"
" And Il" faItered Mrs. DerWent.
q This is exceedingly strange, exceed
ingly unfortunate. l have just given my
consent to Mr.. Hurd, whom esteem so
highly-whom we both esteem so highly
to address my daughter"
Some comical side of the affair nlust
have struck Mr.. DerWent, for he laughed
at this; not his bright, wh0le-sOuled laugh
exactly, but just laugh to clear his
throat sufficiently TO say, kindly:
"Ah WE'LL So I perceive we are all
in trouble. Dolly, my dear, don't see
how any one but your own self can get
rs out of this trouble. Here are two
gentlemen, both exceedingly estimable,
one already approved by your mother,
and sne--one somewhat rather leniently
regarded. The truth is, Dolly, cOurted
your mother when l was hardly more
than a boy, penniless boy, too, and l
have never repented of my rashness it
has been my happiness and my fortune
yes, my fortune, young meni Two suit
oTs, Dolly; one, / say, rather leniently-
for sympathy perhaps, for suld lang
syne' may be, for his father was my
college chum-rather leniently regarded
by your father. Both lovers of yours,
my child, and / don't wonder at that,
little Dolly; both honorably offering you
heart and hand. l see nothing now to
be done except that you should choose
between them"
Tnen every one in the TOom-Eustace
Hurd, Mrs. Derwent and Ned--majestic
Ned--looked straight at Dolly.
Dolly, having been pushed away from
her fathers sustaining arm by her
mother, Fad dropped, wretched and. half
fainting, upon the sofa. But she arose
now, and stood for a moment with her
little hands clasped against her pirlish
bosom - beating indeed now with 8
womanish impetuosity- and her little
feet misgiving her so that she felt her
self lettering, and her face paling, and
her eyes cOwDcast. Aud then suddenly,
with fash to her cheek and lip of vital
Carmine, and a thrill to her f0ger-tips,
50 strong that it extended her hand COZ
daily, and an instinct of faith that
nerved her to cOmpOsure and dignity
and queenliness, 30 tar as it was possible
III an angel-like, child-like creature like
Dolly to show gueenliness, she advanced
d step or two, and raised her eyes, and
said, with a charming directness, in
voice low-toned but 50 penetrated with
the intensity of a youthful life time and
the earnestness of an eternal promise
that it haunted eveTmore those who
heard it, g Ned-yuu have taken me
by surprise Harpers' Weekly.