The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-09-20

| L VI d moment, MIS-. herman grew pale
with anger; then she looked coldly,
sternly, at her daughter.
You will not dare to do it against
my positive demands. / will myself
see Mr.. Valentine, and prepare him for
any insanity you may dare to perpe-
trate; and while | am pushing forward
the preparations for your marriage, and
Mr.. Valentine is perintending the re-
furnishing of his seaside villa for your
occupancy, you will be sent into the
country to your 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 Effe Herman
was en- route for the mountain farm
house away up in the Jersey Shawan-
gums, and Mrs. Herman was coldly con-
graduating herself.
" She sh3H marry himl If there's any
understanding between her and Frank
Fielding-which [ have once or twice
imagined-I have efectually put a
quietus on that. Ny letters to sister
Hepsy contained strict orders that no
living soul, male or female, was to be
allowed to see EEe, except 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'll be glad to
come back and finish the season at Long
Branch and Newport as Mr.. Valentines
bride, and go to Europe in the winter"
And then Mrs Herman leaned back
IN her chair and INDUCED in a little cat
nap, composed and Gained by the plaudits
OF good conscience.
|
Such place as the Berrian farm, I'D
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
ideal of picturesque, romantic, luxurious
loneliness, and that Aunt Hepsy was q
genial, jolly soul, trimming 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-were Just the very
ideals of cousins, and prepared to make
pet and plaything Of their beautiful,
dainty city cousin, who somehow (they
did not quite understand) was in a sort
of disgrace, on account of rich sutton
she would not accept submissiyely.
To Fife, the life in the country was
Just perfect. To get away from MIR.
Valentine and his attentions was happi-
ness enough; and, still adamantine in
her resolution to never, never" marry
him, under any circumstances, she
nevertheless cOntrived to have a very
good time with Jessie and Gwen, uncle
and auntie, and
Jessie and Ovens brother, uncle and
auntie's son, Efie's own cousin, whom
astute Mamma Herman had quite for,
gotten in her inventory of things at the
farmhouse; or, if not quite forgotten,
had at least placed an innocent estimat e
upon.
However, they became astonishingly
good friends, Harry Berrian and Fife,
and before month had passed Fife had
confded 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 a way, and Effie dropped her
eyes, and that was all that there was
| about it.
1t seemed as if fate itself was working
in Mrs Herman's behalf, for Mr.. VaIen-
tine had not at all taken it amiss when
she informed him she had sent Effie,
DEAR" up among the mountains for a
few weeks recreation, so that she might
be bright and fresh spirited for the we'd
ding. Indeed, in his own heart he felt
considerably relieved, and was gayer in
his own spirits than he had been for
many day.
Until, very suddenly, a terrible at
tack of rheumatism seized him, and put
him completely at the rather doubtful
though wellmeant mercy of his hired
servant; and in sheer rage and despair
Mr.. Valentine telegraphed to his sister
in-law, away up in Vermont, to come
and look after him.
I" If | had been able to nurse you,
dear Mr.. Valentinel" Mrs. Herman
cooed, sweetly. "But Madam Grundy
would be sure to be disagreeable. If
only you were married now, just mag
inc how devoted dear Fife and l would
bel 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,
comedy little lady, with soft, shining
brown hair, all in waves and ripples, and
merry, intelligent eyes, brown and big,
and sweet, vibrant voice, the very
sound of which held comfort and
strengthfulness in ito soothing tones.
She was a born nurse, and a born
housekeeper, and even in his sick-room
Mr.. Valentine was conscious of the
noiseless running of the domestic ma
chinery, while, in the many pleasant,
confidential talks they had, her good
common sense was always apparent.
It's no wonder Jack worshiped her
poor fellow" he thought.
"And you are actually going to be
married, Slingerland? l was quite sur
prised when l heard of it; and charm
ing young girl l heard she is! D."
"Well, yes, believe | am thinking
about it, Amy. Yes, Miss Herman is a
very sweet, pretty little grill
Pm sure you thought seriously over
it before you decided; it's an important
thing to do, Slingerland, and specially
important when man comes to your
age, and wants young wife. | do hope
you'll be satisfied"
Mr.. Valentine puckered up his fore
head, doubtfully.
ooh, dear mel yes, l hope so. A
mans bound to make fool Of himself
once in his life, and it's happened to me
| L. -, 20