The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-07-25
miscellaneous.
Sarah's Young Men.

Sarah Blake was neither very young nor
very beautiful, but her father owned the best
and biggest farm in Horley, and being an on
ly child, she was accounted an eligible match
in thrifty circles.
Dick Sanders and Ted Brant were rival
suitors for her hand. She had but to say the
word which of them she'd have; but it was
just that that made her hesitate-there was
so little choice between them.
Such delays are always dangerous. While
Sarah wavered, uncertain which to hold and
which to let go, both at once her captives
slipped the leash.
They might have pleaded that they had
done no worse than others. For, when Jen-
ny Aliens father came with his beautiful
daughter to dwell in Horley, there was gen.
eral Hooking of the SWANS about the shrine
of the new idol, and Ted and Dick only fol-
lowed the rest
But Sarah Blake was not woman to view
n lovers detection lightly. Nor did it weaken
her resentment to divide it between two
She had quite enough for both and it being
uncertain which of them she would have
chosen, in melting out her anger she gave
each the disadvantage of the doubt.
Jenny Allen was civil and polite to all
without showing preference to any. Dick
Sanders and Ted Brant were foremost among
her admirers. Indeed, the others stood a
good deal in awe of them and hung back, for
they were pair of churlish brawny chaps,
little inclined to brook competition, and
whose i'll will few cared to court. Between
| themselves the question ofwhich should yield
was fast reaching point where its settle
ment by wager of battle" seemed inevita-
BILE, when things took turn which put q
new face on affairs.
Will Harvey came from town to spend
his summer vacation ut an aunt's in Hor-
ley.
One day while sauntering, rod in hand,
| along the charming little river that wound
through the valley, Will Unexpectedly came
on something that drove fishing completely
out of his head.
On messy bank, shaded by overhangng
boughs, sat young girl deep in the pages of
a book, Her profile, which was toward him,
presented contour so perfect that it would
have defied the sculptor's art to reproduce it.
The shower of glossy ringlets which fell upon
the matchless neck and shoulders stole new
| tinge from every shifting glimmer of light
sitled through the undulating leaves. Her
cheek would pale and flush and her eyes flash
| and melt by turns with the varied emotions
called up by what she read.
Will Harvey would have gladly remained
| silent spectator of q sight so lovely, but he
| felt he had no right to do So
Advancing in a manner to attract the girls
attention, he raised his hat and asked some
commonplace questions about certain loCali-
| ties in the neighborhood. These answered
| in voice so rich and musical that every tone
| made his heart tlutter, he found more things
to ask about, till by degrees conversation
sprung up which lasted till the young lady,
suddenly remembering how long it had con
| tinued, with blush caught up her gypsy hat,
babe him a pleasant good day, and tripped
away lightly.
Thus began the acquaintance of Will Har-
vey and Jenny Allen. But it was not likely
to end there. For if Will Harvcys first sto-
| len glimpse of Jenny settled her title, in his
eyes, to be called the loveliest creature in the
world, it is quite as certain that her first i'm
pressions of the handsome stranger were
hardly less exalted.
| A formal introduction followed, and in a
little time Will and Jenny were so constant
ly together that the rural gossips began to
talk of their engagement as thing quite
settled.
This was NORWOOD to Dick Sanders and
Ted Bant They began to look askance at
Will Harvey, and were only restrained from
| picking an open quarrel with him by reflect.
ing that he was trm-built, wiry fellow who
| U DC oO W say mourning
| of the plucky look there was in his keen, dark
| eyes.
One day Dick, at turn of the lane down
which he was strollmg, sulking as usual over
his bad fortune, was met by Sarah Blake.
He felt awkward and confused. Sarah had
a valorous tongue, and he had no ground to
expect mercy. To his surprise, however
she met his clumsy greeting gracously, fol
the time disposed, apparently, to forget past
grievances.
"Tve news" she said; news you'd give d
deal to know"
What is it Sallyy' he asked coaxingly.
ooh, never mind"
"Come Sally, for old acquaintance sake "
Was it a smile or a scowl she gave him
them Dick wasn't sure and was beginning
to tremblc again, when Sarah resumed her
gracious mien.
"Well seeing its you," she said 81 don't
mind telling. Jenny Allen is going to elopt
with viii Harvey tonight. He's to be al
her fathers back garden at twelve o'clock
his face covered with q black mask When
he gives u low whistle, thrice repeated, she's
to come out and then they'll fit together
Here are all the details in note in her own
hand, which picked up after seeing it drop
from Will Harvey's pocket as he cantcred
down the road half an hour since. Read fol
yourself"
| Dick ground his teeth as his eye ran ovcl
the lines which confirmed ever word of So.
rah's statement.
"What are you going to do !" asked Sarah
with provoking GOODNESS that reused Dicks
fury
dor" he growled. "Td pommel the vii
lain if could only lay hands on himr'
II can put You on better plan"
"What is it?"
Disguise yourself as the letter indicates
BE on the spot little before the time. Give
the concerted signal, and when the lady
comes fit with her yourself Ten to one
when she sees the trap she's in, she'll marry
lyou to avoid exposure. At any rate you'll