Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-09-18
IN THE SHAWANGUMS,

Mr.. Slingerland Valentine sat in his
capacious armchair, his hands resting on
its broad arms, his forehead puckered up
into nest of wrinkles, his eyes staring
with intense, puzzled thoughtfulness out
through the window of his room into
the beauties of the park beyond.
II wonder what ever possessed me, "
he thought; II do wonder what ever
possessed me? Here am, 81 years old,
and fool enough to imagine couldn't
get along the rest of my life as well az
heretofore, and must go and actually ask
pretty little Fife Herman to marry me
marry mel"
As if the idea were appalling, Mr..
Valentine arose from his chair, and be-
gan restless, desperate sort of prone
made around his room.
"Not that she isn't the sweetest little
creature that ever lifted q pair of blue
eyes to a mans face-a dainty, flower.
like girl, whom anybody would love;
but think-why, what COMPOUNDED
fool I've been, and l old enough to be
her grandfather!''
A stern, half-indignant look came to
bis eyes, and he paused a moment az if
to more fully appreciate the folly of his
position.
"Of course it's impossible the child
cares for me; of course it's my money
that has won her, and the consent of her
mother. Well" and the hale, robust
old gentleman drew a long, deep sigh,
and plunged resignedly into the depths
of his Turkish chair again. "Well,
there's no getting out of it now. I'm
not the first man that has made fool
of himself over pretty face, but at 81,
Slingerland Valentine, you certainly
were supposed to know better!"
And then he solaced himself with
mans infallible comfort, choice cigar,
while, in another room, in pretty little
cottsge not far away, Efie Herman was
sitting in the vine-wreathed bay-window,
making an exquisite picture of herself
among the swaying foliage, and looking
very bewitchingly frowning, as she
flashed a glance from her blue eyes across
the room at her mother sitting stately
and elegant in her gothic back chair.
II never hoped to hear such nonsense
from a child of mine, Efie. The ides
of not wanting to marry Mr.. Valentine
Why, he can give you everything in thu
world you can think of. To be his wifi
means bridal tour to Europe; to b,
mistress of his magnificent mansion OF
Fifth avenue; to dispense hospitality Al
his Long Branch villa; to have command
of all that is luxurious, elegant, in every
sense. And you don't want to mar!
him IL
Efie pouted her red lips.
mo, I don'tl Mamma, your side o
the picture is very tempting, but m,
side all the time keeps showing me fat
bald headed, stumpy old man, who wear
false teeth, and pads his coat, and trie
to look and act as if he were twent,
years younger than he is. Mamma, ::
don't want to marry him at all!'
And something very like sob CAM
piteously from the girls lips.
You ought to be ashamed of your
SELF" Mrs. Herman said, severely. "Yo,
shall not be allowed to throw away sucl
chance for the sake of sickly sentiment
You know what a struggle my life ha
been, on account of poverty and obscu,
ity, and l resolved, years ago, to say
you from a like fate"
Fife opened her blue eyes widely.
>" Poverty, obscurity, mamma? Why
[ think we have lovely home, an
enough of every thing"
"That will do, Efel You need brin
no imaginary arguments to. confute m
assertions; and, as far rs Mr.. Valentin
is concerned, your word is pledged, an
the wedding day set for July 25.n
Then a sudden little resolution shon
in Edie's eyes, and she ceased tcyin
with the swaying spray of strawberr
plant. = -
"Hamma, I have told you, ~ kindl
as know how, that I do not want 1
marry that old gentleman; but, Is 20
seem to take no notice whatever Of m
wishes, will not marry him!"
And the blue eyes flashed, and q scarf,
stain came on both cheekA
Mrs. Herman laughed lightly.
8-~" You foolish childl What weight
you imagine your words have with mt
= You will not, marry him? Efie, ~
nil, and that settles i'll" ,..
.; " No, mamma, it does not settle i
for tho very next time I see Mr., Vale
tine I shall tell him so!'' ~.
For . moment, Mrs. Herman grew pa
with anger; then she looked coldl,
sternly, at her daughter. ~"s:s - ~ :
You will not da,e to do it again
my positive demand q + will. myse
sec Mr.. Valentine, and. prepare him +,
= =: any insanity you may dare 70 perp
trate; and while am pushing forwar
the preparations for your marriage, ar
MI. Valentine is experimenting the I
furnishing of his seaside villa for 70,
occupancy, you will be sent into Il
country to your Aunt Hepkibah's-