Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-09-17

enough or every thing
"Ihat will do, Fife! You need bring
no imaginary arguments to confute my
assertions; and, as far as Mr.. Valentine
is concerned, your word is pledged, and
the wedding day set for July 25.''
Then sudden little resolution shone
in Efie's eyes, and she ceased toying
with the swaying spray of strawberry
plant.
Mamma, I have told you, as kindly
as l know how, that I do mot want to
marry that old gentleman; but, as you
seem to take no notice whatever Of my
wishes, [ will not marry him!"
And the blue eyes flashed, and scarlet
stain came on both cheeks.
Mrs. Herman laughed lightly.
"You foolish child! What weight do
you imagine your words have with me?
You will not marry him? Efie, you
aCiU, and that settles it'll"
"No, mamma, it does not settle it;
for the very next time see Mr.. Valen-
tine I shall tell him SOL
For moment, Mrs. Herman grew pale
with anger; then she looked coldly,
sternly, at her daughter.
You will not dare to do it against
my positive demands. I 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 experimenting 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 nue. for having saved you from
yourself"
And, twenty-four hours Effie 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 shall marry him! If there sany
understanding between her and Frank
Fielding-which I have once or twice
imagined-I have effectually put
quietus on that. My letters to sister
Hepsy contained strict orders that no
living soul, male or female, was to be
allowed to see Efie, 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 WOIA NOuOcISs Suc IL NC Xldu W
come back and finish the season at Long
Branch and Newport as Mr.. Valentines
bride, and 60 to Europe in the winter"
And then Mrs Herman leaned back
in her chair and INDUCED in little cat
nap, composed and Gained by the plaudits
of good conscience:
X
| Such a place as the Berrian farm, up
in the Shawangums! Efie 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 il was the very
ideal of picturesque, romantic, luxurious
loveliness, and that Aunt Hepsy was
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
a pet and plaything of their beautiful,
dainty city cousin, who somehow (they
did not quite understand) was in sort
of disgrace, on account of rich sutton
she would not accept submissively.
To Efie, the life in the country was
just perfect. To get away from Mr..
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, Eme'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 g
upon.
However, they became astonishingly
good friends, Harry Berrian and Efie,
and before month had passed Fife had
cOnhded 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 way, and Fife dropped her
eyes, and that was all that there was
about it.
It seemed as if fate itself was working
in Mrs. Herman's behalf, for Mr.. VaIen-
tine had not at ali taken it amiss when
she informed him she had sent Efie,
DEAR" up among the mountains for a
few weeks recreation, so that she might
be bright and fresh spirited for the wed.
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 well-meant mercy of his hired
servant; and in sheer rage and despair