Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-09-30
IN THE SHAWANGUMS.

Mr.. Slingerland Valentine sat in his
capacious armchair, his hands resting
on its broad arms. his forehead puckered
up into a nest of wrinkles, his eyes star
ing with intense, puzzled thoughtful
ness out through the window of his room
into the beauties of the park beyond
| wonder what ever possessed me, -
he thought-"I do wonder what ever
possessed ne? Here am, fifty-seven
years old. aud fool enough to imagine |
couldn't get along the rest of my life as
well as heretofore, and most go and actu-
ally ask pretty little Effie Herman to
marry me-marry mel"
As If the idea were appalling, Mr.
Valentine arose from his chair, and be-
gan a restless, desperate sort of prone
made around his room
Not that she isn't the sweetest little
creature chat ever lifted pair of blue
eyes to a mans face-a dainty, flower
like girl, whom anybody would love:
but 10 thlnk-why, what confounded
fool I've been, and / old enough to be
her lgrandfather!''
IA stern, halfindignant look came to
his eyes, and he paused minute, as 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. ssWell.
there's no getting out of it now. I'm
not the first man that has made a fool
of himself over a pretty face, but at
tifty-seven, Slingerland Valentine, you
certainly were supposed to know bet
ter
And then he solaced himself with a
cigar, while, in another room, in
pretty little cottage not far away, Effie
Herman was sitting in the vine
wreathed bay-window, making an ex-
guisite picture of herself among the
swaying foliage, and looking very be-
witchingly 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.
$ never hoped to hear such nonsense
from child of mine, Effie The idea of
not wanting to marry Mr.. Valentine. |.
Why, he can give you everything in the
world you can think Of To be his wife
means bridal tour to Europe: to be
mistress OF his magnificent mansion on
Fifth avenue; to dispense hospitality at
his Long Branch villa; to have COM
mand of all that is luxurious, elegant
in every sense. And you don't want to
marry him!''
Effie pouted her red lips.
mo, don'tl Mamma. your side of
the picture is very tempting. but nv
side all the time keeps showing me 4
fat, bald headed, stumpy old man, who
wears false teeth, and pads his coat, and
tries to look and act as if he were twenty
years Younger than he is. Mamma, 1
don t want to marry him at allr'
And something very like sob came
piteously from the girls lips.
ou ought to be ashamed of YOUR
self" Mrs. Herman said, severely.
"You shall not be allowed to throw
away such a chance for the sake Of
sickly sentiment. You know what a
struggle my life has been. on account of
poverty and obscurity, and l resolved,
years ago, to save you from like fate. u
Effie opened her blue eyes widely.
Poverty, obscurity. mammal Whv.
thinkr we have a lovely home, and
enough of everything-''
THAT will do, Effie! 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 Effie's eyes, and she ceased towing
with the swaying spray of strawberry
plant. Hr ~ s
Mamma, | have told you, as kindly
81 know how, that do not want to
Alsrry that old gentleman; but, as Won
sm to take no notice whatever of nv
wishes, / will not marry him!''