Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1879-04-12

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not been drinking, really think y you
must be mad"
"Ma ami cried Mr.. Bunting.
Perhaps, however, I should take
no notice Of such conduct" she said
Perhaps should treat it with silent
contempt"
ooh, good gracious !" cried bachelor
Bunting; don't treat me with silent
contempt. It's my affection for you
that urges me on. I adore you =
Have me. Accept. Marry me and
be mine to cherish and protect from
all audacious Frenchmen.
The widows heart vas melted.
She burst into tears.
"Oh what shall 1 say ?" she sobbed
~ thought you merely a friend. /
am-I--I-I am engaged to the Prof.
he prop osed yesterday evening"
Bachelor Bunting had dropped
down upon his knees while making
the offer.
Now he got up with sort of groan
not entirely caused by disappoint-
ed love for he had the rheumatism.
Farewell, false one" he said, feel
ing for his hat without looking for it.
II leave you forever"
He strode away banging the door
after him.
The widow cried and then laughed,
and then cried again.
In fact, she had a genuine fit of
what the maiden aunt called 'stericks'
and the chambermaid 'highstrikes,
before she was brought to, and pre-
vailed to take glass of wine and
something hot and comforting in the
edible line.
After which the thought of her
lance consoled her.
Days passed on.
Bachelor Bunting did not drown
himself or sup cold poison.
The wedding day was fixed.
The housemaid informed her friend
that Mrs. Hunter "kept steady COM
pany.'
Tie made aunt, who had I'D 4
Iu44,e Of haI Own. ourr4e4 iayor by be-
ing almost always in state Of appar-
ent coma, The widow was in the
seventh heaven of bliss, and all went
merry as marriage bell until one
evening, as the the betrothed pair sat
before the fire in the polished CRATE,
there came ring at the bell, and the
sirl who answered it soon looked into
the parlor to announce the fact that
little girl in the hall would come in.
ooh let her in" said Mrs. Hunter.
'I' m so fond Of the dear children in
the neighborhood. It's one of them,
I presume
But while she was speaking a small
but very old looking little girl In a
short frock, with tambourine in her
hand, bounced into the room, and
throwing herself into the Professor's s
arms, with strong French accent
screamed:
Darling papa, have I then found
you? How glad mama will be We
thought you dead"
II am not your papa," said the
French braan, turning pale. care you
crazy, my dear little girl? p
"No, no, no; you are my papa
cried the child. Do not deny your
Estelle. Does she not know you
All, my heart, It tells me true. Dear
mamma and 1 have almost starved
but she has never pledged her we'd
ding ring-never. She plays the Or
gan, l the tambourine. We have suf-
fered, but now papa will return to US
All, heaven"
"My gracious! the morals of fur
riners. He'd have married missus +
cried the girl at the door.
"She tells one black lie. Never
before have I seen her; believe me,
madamel |" screamed the poor French
man. "Ah, mon Dieu, am 1 dream
ing2"
"Oh, Alphonse," cried the widow.
"But there, I will be firm. My best
friends warned me of you. Take
your hat-go. Never enter my pres
ence again. Go with your unfortun-
ate child-your poor, half-starved lit
tie girl. Go home to your deserted
wife; gol"
"Ah, madame, zese is falsehoods, -
cried the unfortunate Frenchman, lc
iDg his temrer in his excite a Be.