The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-09-20
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.
wonder what ever possessed me-"
he thought; 81 do wonder what ever
possessed me? Here l am, 81 years old,
and fool enough to imagine | couldn't
get along the rest of my life as well as
heretofore, and must go and actually ask
pretty little Etie Herman to marry me
marry nae
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 that ever lifted pair Of blue
eyes to q mans face-a dainty, flower
like girl, whom anybody would love;
but | think-why, what a confounded
fool I've been, and | old enough to be
her grandfather
A stern, Acknowledgment look came to
his eyes, and he paused a moment as if
to more fully appreciate the folly of his
position.
COT 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 WE'LL" and the hale, robust
old gentleman drew long, deep sigh,
and plunged resignedly into the depths
of his Turkish chair again. Well,
there's no getting out of it now. Pm
not the first man that has made fool
of himself over pretty face, but at 81,
Slingerland Valentine, you certainly
were supposed to know betterp
And then he solaced himself with
mans infallible comfort, choice cigar,
while, in another room, in pretty little
cottage 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 glance from her blue eyes across
the room at her mother sitting stately
and elegant in her gothic back chair.
81 never hoped to hear such nonsense
from q 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 a bridal tour to Europe; to be
mistress of his magnificent mansion on
Fifth avenue; to dispense hospitality at
his Long Branch villa; to have command
of all that is luxurious, elegant, III every
sense. And you don't want to marry
him !"
Fife pouted her red lips.
No, don't. Mamma, your side of
the picture is very tempting, but my
side all the time keeps showing me 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, |
don't want to marry him at all!'
And something very like sob came
plteOusly from the girls lips.
You ought to be ashamed of your
self, Mrs. Herman said, severely. "You
shall not be allowed to throw away such
chance for the sake of sickly sentiment.
You know what struggle my life has
been, on account of poverty and obscur-
slty, and | resolved, years ago, to save
you from like fate"
Efi5 opened her blue eyes widely.
Poverty, obscurity, mamma? Why,
THINK we have lovely home, and
enough of every thing"
That will do, Effiel You need bring
no imaginary arguments to confute my
assertions; and, as far as Mr.. Valentine
I concerned, your word is pledged, and
the wedding day set for July %"
Then a sudden little resolution shone
IA EtHe's eyes, and she ceased toying
with the swsying spray of strawberry
plant
Mamma, have told you, as kindly
a ! know how, that | do not want to
marry that old gentleman; but, as you
seem 10 take no notice whatever of my
wishes viii not marry him!"
ANA 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 vii not marry him? Effie, you
a9ii', Il that settles It'll"
No, mamma, it does not settle it;