Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1880-10-30

old dawagers played cards +; Dattcr'
ell beaux smoked their pipes ana
strove to rejuvenate themselves
once more to the fragrance OF the
sea.air; pretty girls flirted; hand
some cavaliers held fans and bo-
quets, and newspaper correspond
cnts invented all sorts of fact TOR
the New York and Philadelphia
daily press. And as time went by
a rumor gained credence, to the ef-
feet that Uncle Barnabas Braoa-
zon was ousting his nephew from
the affections of the beautiful Miss
Vail.
"Therew said Mrs. Vail, her
witch.like cOuntenance assuming
q radient expression: "Here it is
In black and white. An offer Of
marriage! My dear, you'll be the
richest woman south Of Mason and
DixOn's line"
Adrienne, in q lovely dishabille
of white cashmere and rose'pink
ribbons, sat looking at the letter,
with something of dismay upon her
oountenance.
"Write and accept him at once,
urged Mrs. Vail.
"What that old man 7"
"OId man !" screamed Mrs. Vail.
"The richest planter in Louisiana!
Why, child, every diamond he
wears is q fortune in ITSELF"
"But / don't love him." pleaded
Adrienne in a low voice.
"Love-bah! I" screamed the old
lady, ''what does love amount to '
A little sugar and honey, a few
sweetmeats, and starvation for the
rest of your life. I made a love-
match--and see whaG g 4rNdglng
career mine has been. Adrienne,
don't be fool! You will never
have such another chance as this"
Still Adrienne hesitated.
Mamma she said, " l am en-
gagged to Allan, and--l love him.
And I will be his wifeH'
"But child, don't you see what
ruin that will bring upon us?"
breathlessly cried Mrs. Vail. Gal
lam hasn't penny of his own, apd
if lie offends his uncle"
"He can work for a living, ma
ma, like other men,"
sWork-~worg f0r G living p
snarled the old lady, displaying a
set of yellow teeth that would have
done credit to ahyena. "And you
,iye in a fiat, and do up your laces
in the washyDowl to Raye the laun-
dress bill, and turn your own
silk dresses, and darn your hus-
bands stockings, to tighten the ex.
penses you, that have the chance
to button your gown with dia'
monds, aud live in palace"
"Mamma," cried Adrienne, "what
woula life in a palace be worth
without the man you loye7 l Yill
not marry old Mr.. Brabazon, and
will marry Allan, if l have to live
in barracks with him, or ride around
the wOrla in a baggage wagon"
And this was the end OF Miss
VaiPs "mercenary" career. Sht
wrote a resolute little note to Mr.
Brabazon, while her mother indul
ged in a GOOD, old-fashioned fit o
Mysteries. The note was Wordet
as follows:
III like you ever so much, but
loved Allan long before l ever saw
v ou. and / don't think ] can b.
happy with any one but Allan 81
if YOU please, Mr.. Brabazon, l mus
decline your kind offer. And pra!
pray, don't be any more angr,
witt, NE than you can help"
Mr.. Brabazon read the little tear
stained note, and folding 1t griml.
ND went across to the hotel wher
his nephew was staying.
gWell, lad" said he, 81 have OF
fered myself-myself, mind, IT,
richest man in Louisiana-to Adr
enne Vail"
"Uncle~
Allan started to his feet, turnln
alternately red and pale.
"And she has-refused me"
The young man was deadly whit
now. He scarcely knew what L
had feared or hOped--he only fe
the intense relief of knowing tha
Adrienne was still true to him.
"My own true love-" he muttere'
between his teeth; "my little darI
, eyed jewel. If size had played IL
false, uncle l believe l should ha'
been tempted to commit suicide
r uUmph-umph !" grunted Uuc
Barney. "Leve---loyel How the
+. young people talk! Aud whs
may l venture to ask, do you O.
| pect to live Oh I"
81 can work, Uncle Barney, 4
her sake" said Allan, bravely.
S "very well,s said Dacle Barne
: "Let's 20 and tell her so."
t Adrienne was looking lowell
than ever, with flushed cheeks, ey