Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-09-30
And the blue eyes flashed, and a scar
lnt stain came IN both ohopEc

I Ou Will not marry him! Ellie, yOU
will, and that settles it!'
No, mamma, it does not settle it.
| for the very next time see Mr.. Valen-
tine / shall tell him SOP
For second Mrs. Herman grew pale
with anger; then she looked coldly,
sternly at her daughter.
You will not dare to do it against
my positive commands. / will myself
see Mr.. Valentine, and prepare him for
any insanity you may dare to perpetrate
and while | am pushing forward the
preparations for your marriage, and Mr..
Valentine is experimenting the refur-
nishing of his seaside villa for your oc-
cupaney, your will be sent into the
country to .youl Aunt Hepzibah' 's-a
quiet, stupid place = where you will
speedily come to your senses, and learn
to thank me for having saved you from
yourself"
And, twenty-four hours later, Effie
Herman was en- route for the mountain
farmhouse away up in the Jersey Shaw
angums, and Mrs. Herman was coldly
congratulating herself sy#
'sShe shall marry him. If there
and Frank Fielding-which 1 have
effectually put quietus on that. MY
letter to sister Hepsy contained strict
orders that no living soul, male or fe-
male, was to be allowed to see Efie, ex-
cept members of her own family; and
Hepsy was always afraid to offend me
SO there's no danger on that score. And
two or three weeks will work wonders.
She will be glad to come back, and finish
the season at Long Branch and Newport
as Mr.. Valentines bride, and go to Eu-
rope in the winter.' ff t4s
And then Mrs. Herman leaned back
in her chair and INDUCED in little
cat-nap, composed and calmed by the
plaudits of good conscience.
Such place as the Berrian farm, up
in the Shawangums! Effie had all her
life imagined it the most dreary, DESC
late, forsaken place in all the wide
world, and her rapture knew no bounds
when she found that it was the very
idea of picturesque, romantic, luxuri-
Gus loveliness, and that Aunt Hepsy
was genial, jolly soul, brimming over
with good nature and good sense; that
Uncle Zebedee was worthy to be her
husband, and that the girls-Jessie
Dunbar and Gwen Comfort-we Just
the very ideals of cousins, and prepared
to make pet and plaything of their
beautiful, dainty city cousin, who some
how (they didnot quite understand was
in a sort of disgrace, on account of a
rich suitor she would not accept sub
missively.
To Effie, the life in the country was
just perfect. To get away from Mr..
Valentine and his attentions was happi-
ness enough; and, still adamantine in
her resolution to ''neyer, never" marry
him, under any circumstances, she
nevertheless contrived to have very
good time with Jessie and Gwen, uncle
and auntie, and
Jessie and Owens brother, uncle and
aunti9's son, Efie's own cousin, whom
astute Mamma Herman hadiquite for
gotten in Der inventory of things at the
farmhouse; or. ifs not quite forgotten,
had at least placed an innocent estimate
upon.
However. they became astonishingly
good friends, Harry Berrian and Effie,
and before month had passed Effie had
confided all her sorrows to her hand :
some sympathetic cousin, who assured
her vehemently that it was an outrage
that she should be so deliberately bar
gained for; and that, were he to be her
counselor, and she followed his advice.
she would stick to her resolution. and
never give her hand where she could not
give her heart.
And then he looked at her in an eager
sort of way, and Effie dropped her ewes,
and that was all that there was about it.
1t seemed as if Fate itself was work
ing in Mrs. Herman's behalf, for Mr..
Valentine had not at all taken it amiss
when she informed him she had sent
Ellie dear'' up among the mountains
for few weeks recreation, so that she
might be bright and fresh-spirited for
the wedding. Indeed, in his own heart
he felt considerably relieved, and was
gayer in his own spirits than he had
been for many day. 04
Until, very suddenly, a terrible attack
of rheumatism seized him and put him
completely at the rather doubtful.
though well-meant, mercy of his hired
servants, and in sheer rage and despair
Mr.. Valentine telegraphed to his sister
in-law, away up in Vermont, to come
and look after him.
f" Ii only | had been able to nurse YOU.
dear Mr.. Valentiner' Mrs. Herman
cooed, sweetly. but Madam Grundy
would be sure to be disagreeable. If
only you were married now, lust imag-
inc how devoted dear Effie and Iswauld
be! AS it is, do really think the best
thing you can do is to send for Mrs.
Grey"
And Mrs. Grey came "a plump.
CHEEKY, comely little lady, with soft,
shining brown hair, all in waves and
ripples, and merry, intelligent eyes,
brown and big, and a sweet, vibrant
voice, the very sonnd of which held a
comfort and strengthfulness in It's
soothing tones.
She was a born nurse, and born
housekeeper, and even in his sick room
Mr.. Valentine was conscious ofthenoise-
less running OF the domestic machinery.
while in the many pleasant, confidential
talks they had, her good common sense
was always apparent. $3.50
It's no wonder Jack worshiped her
poor fellow" he thought.
And you are actually going to be
married, Slingerlandp / was quite sur
prised when / heard of it; and charm
ing young girl hear she isi'' 1s-7
Well, yes, l believe am thinking
about it. Amy. Yes, Miss Herman is a
very sweet, pretty little girll'
4" Pm sure you thought seriously over
it before you decided; it's an important
thing to do. Slingerland, and specially
important when a man comes to your
age and wants young wife. I do hone
you'll be satisfied"
Mr.. Valentine puckered up his fore
a I'll . !"