Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-10-02

Y
you must do it for me While he
stays, you must pretend that You are
Mise Seabright; you must wear my
clothes, and make a | the airs you
possibly can, and make him as I'M
happy as possible, SO that he'll have
to refuse you--that is, me, you know.
BE as sharp as you can with him,
Betsy-never the least bit kind of
nice You'll try, won't you, Betsy p
Il can give anyone as good as they
send, miss, said Betsy. I'm no
mealy-mouth. And you'll pay me
well, miss p
'I'll give. you hundred dollars,
Betsy said the girl. '.or you'll save
me my freedom and my fortune, and
you'll not refuse him yon know, else
all will be spoilt.
'l'll manage, said Betsy.
Then the two girls left all other
work to examine Elsie's wardrobe,
and soon Betsy was dressed in the
most elegant attire, her hair pow.
jered, as was the custom, and white
gloves upon her hands.
| sAnd l., said Elsie, will be your
poor companion, and you must call
me Miss Smith, and sna5 nae, and or.
der me about.
This was all arranged when the
little letter Elsie had been so long
expecting arrived, and breaking its
blue seal, she read that Mr. Harring-
ton would pay his respects to Miss
Seabright in an hour.
How Miss Seabright laughed as
she sat waiting in the drawing-room
watching Betsy sail up and down
with all her new assumption of dig
nifty. Betsy, with the most amiable
intentions, would have been sure of
offending; but Betsy, bent on being
unpleasant, would be grand sue
cess
Just then Betsy herself leant from
the window.
ooh, miss 7 she cried, there's
carriage at the door, and there's a
gentleman coming out of it. Bless
us if that's him, don't wonder you
want to be off your match. Deary
me J.! oh, deary me !
But before she could explain, a
servant had brought Elsie card,
bearing the name of Harold Harring-
ton; and as she arose, the most ex-
traordinary figure entered the room.
1t was very tall young nan, be
tween whose shoulders, nevertheless.
grew an enormous hump. He also,
though he appeared to move actively
enough, alked upon crutches. On
his head, from which he had removed
his cap, was black silk skull-cap,
such as entirely bald old gentlemen
then wore. Over his ear was black
bandage, which also quite covered
his chin. On his right eye was a
large green patch on his lett cheek
another. All that was visible Of his
face was his nose, which was cer
tainly we'll shaped, but which was
much the color of red flannel; and
about his throat was indeed flannel
muller. For the rest, he was
dressed in the latest fashion, and in
the most extravagant style. This
was Harold Harrington.
Elsie's surprise was so great that
she sank into chair, and forgot to
prompt Betsy as she had intended.
But Betsy needed no prompting.
She was not in the least embarrassed.
She advanced to meet Mr.. Harring-
ton with grin of supreme insolence
upon her face, and burst into loud
laugh.
sWell, she said, $50 you are my
young man, are you? | must say,
whoever picked you out showed no
mighty great taste; 'twasn't for
your beauty, that's plain
NO, madam said the new arrival,
st was not for my beauty. Do l adj
dress Mss Seabright? P
why, who else should be p cried
Betsy. "Twas not for your clever
ness, neither, you were chosen. But
now you've come, sit down. Been
in the war, haven't you?'
'My infrmities,' sighed the young
man, ARE the result of my reckless.
ness as boy | have most sym
pathizing letter from you upon the
fall which broke my limb You re-
member it? You also condoled with
me upon the careless shot which cost
me my eye, though you did not know
how serious was the result. 1t was
while | was on trip to Switzerland
that ! broke my back, and while en-.
deavoring to drink some boiling tea
the house-keeper lett carelessly upon
the table, scalded all the hair from
my head. This scar upon my cheek
is the result of having attempted to
shave myself with my fathers razor.
1t was injudicious of him to not tell
you the result of my injuries, but now
you see for yourself. | will not 60
into further particulars. You re-
member all my accidents! =
Yes said Betsy, 'and fine fig
ure they've made you. You'd do to
scare crows from the orchard, | must
say; and you're sent to me that |
might have my pick and choice of Of
fers to marry. It's enough to make
one die OF laughing
Then you refuse me 2 said the
young man eagerly.
oh, no. said Betsy. 'oh, no,
don't; there's the fortune, you know.
Money is money, and even an object
like You is better than poverty. I'll
have you. Though how folks will
laugh to see us paired off together !?
Ore comfort, though, so broken down
as you must be, you can't last long
'On the contrary, | expect to live
to be eighty said the young man.
Expectations don't 90 for much,
said Betsy. Look how the old folks
went! =
'We were deprived of their affec-
tons very suddenly said the young
man signing. My father loved yours
dearly, Miss Seabrigh..'
Folks viii take queer notions,
said Betsy. 'Well, l must say you
are an object. ! can't help laughing,
whenever / look at you
'We shall have a merry life to.
gether, said Harold, Ill your dispo.
sition continues