Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-11-12
z gleasaut Sturp.
VIOLET'S WAGER.

"Done ?" interrogated Di Franks, with
an amused smile
"Done," replied his companion, placing
her hand laughingly in his.
at is foolish wager on m. part, Violet"
concluded the doctor, kissingler hand with
eager tenderness; "tor l, aboe all people,
know there is something ahou you that no
one can resist
"You surely are joking, JOIN? l cannot
believe it You would notwithout first
consulting me, go and propoe off hand to
girl have never seen, how nothing
about, and whom you yourse never saw
until few months ago9 An" continued
Miss Franks, without giving lr brother a
chance OF replying, "to think 4 you begin
ming to talk of love and marriage and all
that sort Of rubbish when you i'll be thirty
six on your very next birthday You ought
TO know better~
"My dear Emily" began job.
Don't dear Emily me, sir interrupted
Miss Franks. 81 can't be very ear to you
when, after keeping your hob for more
than twelve years, you treat I'm in such
manner. However, have noioubt that
Miss What's her name will atnd to the
messages, study economy, andlav your
interests more at heart than |, wo am only
| your sister, have had"
u told you had proposed, Eny, but you
interrupted me before you knewwhether |
had been accepted or not"
"Accepted or not indeed raid Miss
Franks, sarcastically. "Of coursyou're &C.
cepted-snapped at. Do you thk know
50 little Of my own sex as to I've them
credit for being the charming, guless crea-
lures they would have you sim etons of
men believe themg No, John; Rmember
when you were baby and | W, good
looking--yes, | repeat it--a goolooking
frank, outspoken girl of twentyirawing
my conclusions as To the artiulnesand n.y.
pocrisy of my companions, and thpitiable
credulity OF the men they tried tolsnare"
well" remarked John; VI am Re that
when you know my future wife, ia will
believe that have chosen for my On hap
piness; and, believing that, | knowou too
well to doubt the reception she wileceye
at your hands And of one thing very
sure shall never forget your uslness,
your patient striving for my welfa your
ever ready sympathy and loving car
"Don't talk like that John" sal Miss
Franks tearfully; and, taking his q be-
tween her hands, she kissed him hpul.
sively and hurried from the room.
Doctor Franks sat down in rather dis.
turbed frame Of mind. He loved re-
spected his sister, and was grateful taer;
she had kept house for him since lslad
been in practice, studying his conf in
every way; and he was really sorrJhat
she should feel herself personally Sigh at
the first mention of his approachingar.
riage. No idea Of marriage had enterehe
doctors head until quite lately, when Ind
fallen desperately in love with the niecC a
new patient Of his but he had thong il
better 10 be assured that his love was NJ.
rocated before taking his sister into hisl i.
fidence.
At dinner Miss Franks was evidently.
termined, by an extra display Of dignityl
ceremony, TO efface all remembrance Of
previous weakness; but, after a time, hers
manly curiosity overcame all other feelit
"Pray, John, what is the childs mana
, "What child? Oh, beg pardon You nj
Miss Lloyd-Yiolet Llyod."
"Dld you say she was seventeen Z"
mo-" replied the doctor, smiling; she
twenty-three."
"Oh, no matter II Is very nearly the ga
thing-she is quite young enough TO M
ducks and brakes Of your money before y
have earned itw
Emily" said the doctor more sternly IL
he had yet spoken, 81 hardly think II {
and certainly very unlike your usual self
form an opinion of a person you have ne
seen. am the more hurt at your prejudg
q Violet, as had hoped that you would rem
e with Us TO help her in the management
J. of the house. OF course we cannot exp
a child like her 10 know anything Of 81
> uninteresting though important matter"
o "No, John, thank you all the same"
swered Miss Franks in Modified 70
without noticing the quizzical twinkle
the doctors eyes such an arrangnm