Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-06-27
EDGED TOOLS.

-CNoHtOeTs SOuIAuts
EDGED TOOLS.
L
Miss Tabitha Tunstall was accustomed to say
that she always had her own way. She was
also given to enunciate the principle that the
efeetual methodo Of getting your own way was
TO take it-aDd she took hers, she would add.
Not one Of her friends but would have sub
seribed TO the latter clause Of her statement; (;
therefore, was il likely that this successful
cespot was going 70 be baked in the dearest
object OF her lie, her fondest aim, by pair
Of foolish young peOplel Yet the foolish
young people intended to disaDpoint her
Most hapless deiusioni
Miss Tabitha Tanstall had arranged the des-
tinies, and, let Us in justice add, when need
be, materially assisted in the settling in lie Of
large number Of youthful relatives; but her
supremacy IN chief was reserved for her
nephew, Herbert Tunstall, who lived at the
manor, farming little, and hunting, fishing
and shooting great deal; Miss TabithA's de-
sign being that be should succeed her at
Staineley Manor when she should be,iEid 70
rest. Her plans for him probably neVer
reached further than this until an unexpected
event suggested new and delightful COM
bination. This oppOrtune occurrence was the
charge OF the daughter of much-loVed friend
Of her youth, widow, who had lately died IA
to Miss Tunstall's faithful affection. Miss
Tabitha went to Southampton TO meet the
girl, Mildred Nsi By name, took an immense
liking to her on the spot and instantaneousIy
conceived the scheme of marrying herto her
nephew. She brought her home gave ths,
youngpeople one week 70 became acquainted,
and then forthwith announced to each what
she expected of them.
Herbert Tunstall sought an opportunity Of
speaksg to Miss Neil upon the self-ssne day,
and toward evening he observed theS young
lady seated alone upon q rustic seat IN the
garden. He at once crossed the lawn and
seated himself beside her.
" / imagine that my aunt has told yoH, MiEs
Neil, Of the hopes she entertains concerning
you and myself, he said, with slow gentle.
ness snd care; then calmly awaited a reply.
Mildred Neil was a handsome girl Of the
brunette type; swift to feel, her face vase
mirror for the representation of her emotions; /;
and Mr.. Tunstan now read his answer fn the
angry spark that few TO her eye, in the, erim.
son flush that shot across her cheek before
her tongue could utter a word Of ber indig.
nation.
" 1 am astonished at your speaking to me on
the matter, Mr.. Tunstall; you must be sWare
how worse than useless it is.''
But it is necessary that should speak to
you, Miss Nell"
'Mr. TunstaI, it's impossible that should
ever regard you in any other light than as
miss Neil, deep and sincere as my respect
for you must be, have not the slightest wish
that you should regard me in any other light;
still"
"In plain words" cried the girl, interrupt
ing him, $ do not want to marry ycu.n
E7sIn pIsin words,s echoed be, Win differ
ent infection, /" do not want TO marry f,Olt.
Upon that unhattering assertion Miss Neil
looked up in surprise. and, their eyes meet
ing they both burst out laughing at the absurd
nature Of the dispute.
"Then Why-Why talk upon a subject that
is 50 very-veryn-the young lady hesitated
for moment for word to express her sent-
ments-"so very disagreeable3'
" Miss Nell, you have declared you indiffer-
encetoward me, and thereby, Of course, thrown
me into the depths of despair and humiliation;
wiz you now 20 further, and in strict conf
dence make q full eonfesson-do you love
anybody elsel'
Mildred Nell thought for a moment, won
dering whether an incipient fondness for g.
certain Young curate, born Of unlimited hirta.
ton upon his side, might be dignifed by the
name Of the grand passion; but concluded to
the contrary. "N-no," she said at length,
lamely.
"That 'no' came too hesitatingly to estab-
man, laughing. . am going to set you an
example Of csndor BY pleading guilty. I am
engaged to young lady, a clergymau's
daughter in the neighborhoOd, and Iwant your
help, Miss Neil"
"This is Interesting" said the girl, sitting
up and looking at him with attention, quite
ready for little romance, so that she was not
expected to take the part of heroine.
4" Ny aunt does not smile upon my choice"
E. 'sShe Is awsre, then. Of your engagementls
s "Not exactly aware of sn engagement ,ex-
7isting butshe suspects the state Of things.
The fact Is she walked into the room one day
when we were talking earnestly" said the
young man.
"Precisely; a little conversation would Of
course eriminate you"
'Wen, l might have been holding her
hand" Mr.. Tunstall amended.
al understand. Go oE."
$50 she made fuss; it was uncomfortable,
especially for Mary. But she will get over
her prejudice after a while. She cannot fail
, to do so-you shall see Msryl" cried the low
er, enthusiastically. tAnd for the present,
to gain time for Aunt Tabitha's unreasonable
prejudice TO melt, you viii not mind our ap-
pearing, you and ], to fall into her wishes. -
"Our appearing to fall into her wishes.
What do you meant"
"Why,h he answered, laughing, "by each
Of US protesting to be diligently cultivstiEg
reg ard for the other.n Ete
u" Impossiblep' exclaimed the girl, With 3
faint blush. Sand it would not be right"
81 don't know about its being right, but It
Is necessary. You have not the experience
with Aunt Tabitha that have; she is quite
capable Of sending for ring and parson,
nd having US married npon, the spot, If We
hOwed aav symptoms of ubo1dinstiOn.n
Mildred looked impressed BY this terrible
picture, as Mr.. Tunstan intended she should
be.
As you like, though he resumed. 81
am sure,n with an ironical bow, 81 ought to
feel more than resigned"
/" Butt should not feel at all resigned"
said Miss Neil, quickly.
You viii be safe, then, only in the way
suggest; and certainly our one chance Of q
quiet life lies in letting Aunt Tabitha suppose
thst we are falling Into her views"
VIII not such course at all events be
rather-qaokaOardf" suggested the young lady,
heF feminine mind toreseeing embarrass-
ments ~ I3l 'f
"on the contrary 1 think it wiz be ex-
Had Mildred Nell been older, she would
probably neither have consented to the az
Fangement nor hsve found any fun therein,
but as it was, her youth and innocence help
ing her, their assumed characters became
source Of immense amusement TO Mildred
and to Herbert. After dinner, before her cup
II tea and game Of backgammon, Miss Ia
bishR, with her cap well on one side, would
ostentatiously settle herself for q nap telling
the younE people they might talk what nom
sense they pleased, she was not going to
listen, and in fact she was growing rather
hard OF hearing.
Upon which Herbert would saunter of to
the remote regions Of the piano, saying:
HCome and practice that duet, Mildred;
you are aware how important It is that our
voices should get into perfect harmony"
Or Miss Nell would bid Mr.. Tunstall wind
the woods. at Is your duty to attend upon
me, you know. must get you into domes-
tic training" And the discipline would oc-
cupy so much time that it was clear Herbert
Tunst3 u stood IN great need Of the lesson.
The amount of practice which they had no
doubt accounted for It; but It was astonish-
ing how well these two amateurs foon came
10 play their parts. Any outsider watching
that duet-study carried on in the solitudes Of
the far-end Of the drawinR-room would have
said that it was genuine interest that was
kndling In Mlldred's dark eyes; that It was
some feeling near akin to love which was
thrilling in his tones and lending warmth to
his words. But Of course the performers
knew differently; they we're well aware that
It was all part Of an excellent jest. and the
semblance Of reality that their acting wore
was altogether to their credit
Miss Nell was naturally anxious 70 behold
the girl, the true beloved Tor whom she stood
proxyi but Tor some time after her own ar
rival at Staineley Miss Cubiaon waa ahsant