Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-04-27

I
ried before know it,
Can he suspect my Partially for Miss
Elmer? No, think it is only his inveter-
ate love for match making. He is crazy
to run his own head into moose, and SO
wants everybody to be as idiotic as he
| is.'
And the offending nephew whispered
to himself as he walked away:
The old gentleman is certainly smit
ten with the peerless (?) charms of Miss
| Elmer, and shouldn't onder if they
made match of it after all, as Nettie
predicts. Ha, Ha! How uncle colored
up when I proposed it.
| Miss Elmer sat in her brothers. parlo 1
alone, dressed in her best, and with her
well dyed hair arranged in the most be-
coming fashion.
She sat rigidly erect in her chair, as
motionless as if sitting for her portrait ;
but it was for something far more i'm
portant that she was attired with so
much care-she expected visitor.
The family had all gone to a neighbours
to tea, but she by preconcerted plan,
had excused herself on the plea of a
headache, and now with fluttering,
heart, she awaited the coming of her
visitor, Doctor Allen, who, she felt as
sured, would joyfully seize upon such a
favorable opportunity to declare his pas
sion.
A low, rather irresolute knock sound
ed on the door, and Miss Elmer hasten
ed to open it.
'Ah, it is you, Doctor?' she cried,
smilingly. 'Walk in. am in solitary
grandeur, and was feeling quite lonely
Lonely, my dear madam? calculated
| the little doctor as he removed bis hat,
and followed his hostess into the parlor.
Lonely! oh, sweet lady, would 7 could
guard you against all such feelings. Be
lieve me, it would give me the most in
tense happiness, and he placed his hand
upon his heart, an bowed deeply.
Why, doctor, how you talk, and Miss
Elmer simpered, and attempted to blush
behind her fan. You men are such odd
creatures
Odd, dearest madam! odd? Well, I
admit it; we certainly are odd when
| Cupid pierces us with his downy shafts.
And then, madam, it is the ladies who
are to blame, for who can withstand
their bright glances and sunny faces?
| And he gave her a most affectionate
glance
Miss Elmer really did color, this time
decisive moment El' was very near at hand
Dear me, doctor, what flatterer you
arep
I assure you, dear lady, I do not fiat
ter All, Araminta p and down plump
ed the little doctor upon his knees. L
assure you that am in the most solemn
earnest. have lost my heaft to your
| bewildering charms, sweet one, and will
not rise FROM here until you promise to
| be my wife,
Much as she had lopged and waited
| for this moment, during her long years
Of spinsterhood, Araminta Elmer was
dumb with delight, aud little real em-
pa.. ...rassment.
But mistaking her silence for aversion,
the doctor cried:
IF you won't have me, Araminta, I'll
l-I'll-take poisonv
'O-hp screamed Miss Elmer
L WILL he averred solemnly, forget
ting his late declaration, and rising to
his feet.
oh, then, Jonathan, I will promise
anything yol please cried Miss Elmer,
blushing. Take me dearest; I am
yOursI'
And she fung herself into his arms.
But the weight was almost too much
for the enamored doctor, who staggered
back, and would undoubtedly have fall.
en-, had not knock just then sounded
on the front door, and Miss Elmer with
drew herself from his arms, gasping:
'Oh, my they have returned. What
shall we do? would not have them find
you here for anything. They-they
would tease me so about you, Jonathan,
DEAR
And she simpered.
Goodness gracious, Araminta,' cried
the doctor, mopping his hot face with
his handkerchief I'm sure I wouldn It
have that rascally nephew of mine find
me here for thousand pounds. Cannot
you hide me?'
The knock was repeated, this time
much louder.
Yes, this way cried Araminta in des-
peration, and she pushed him INTO the
china closet. They won't find you here,
and as soon as they leave the room, I'll
let you OUT
'One moment, my DEAR exclaimed the
doctor, popping out his head as she was
closing the door. "You promise to be
mine?'
Yes, yes, anythipg-only getin,' she
cried, in panip, and satisfied. the doc
tor dreW JIM his bead and his betrothed
closed and locked the door and pocketed
the key with sigh of relief.
'Ah, is it you? declare, you gave me
quite start. 1 was dozing,' tibbed Miss
Araminta. blendly, as she admitted Net
tie and Mr.. Bartram.
Il thought heard some one talking to
you as we stood upon the steps, said
Nettie, suspiciously.
'Oh, Mr.. Bartram,' crieu Nettie sud
denly, have some of the finest cake !;
mother made it yesterday. You must
of the china closet. =
why, it is locked! Where can that
key be?' she cried, wonderingly.
A rattle of dishes sounded within the
closet, followed by a crash and wild
cry and then a voice exclaimed:
oh, oh! Help! Murder! I'm killed I!
Let me Outn
| Miss Araminta uttered a piercing
scream, and tainted,
The door now burst open, and out
hobbed the doctor. and most pitiable
spectacle did he present.
| His hand, face and clothes were be-
daubed with Mrs. Danforth's best pre-
serves, and he limped painfully, emit
ting deep groan at every step. for one
of his feet was held firmly In . large
trap which had been set to catch the
mice that infested the closet.
On hearing Nettie's attempt to open
the closet door, he had, in a blind at
tempt at concealment, essayed to climb
upon the topmost shelf, but, unable to
sustain his weight, the shelf gave way,
and precipitated him, together with a
quantity of china, 10 the floor.
Despite the poor mans distress, his
appearance was so ridiculous that il
caused an irrepressible burst oflaughter.
He was soon released from his unpleas
ant predicament, and was then much
more INCLINED to treat the affair as q
joke.
Ned began to quiz him numerically
but Doctor Allen was equal to the occa-
sion, and taking the hand of the blush
Ing Aramlnta, who had recovered from
her swoon, he said bravely:
Yes, Ned, have after all concluded
to marry, and the sooner you follow my
example, you young dog, the better and
the day that sees pretty Nettie here your
BRIDE, sees you the possessor of ten thou.
Esand pounds