The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-01-24

1
lids droop and he felt almost sure tina
he was beloved. And as he had deter
mined that night to test his fortune, h,
was not inclined to let himself be dis
appointed. Consequently he decided
on writing to her, for he was rathe
proud of his letters; and indeed it mus
be confessed that he had an elegan
and eloquent way of putting any cas-
IN which he was personally interested
Eleanor Bethune thought so. Sh'
received his proposal on her return
from a very stupid party, and as sool
as she saw his writing she began tt
consider how much more delightful thu
evening would have been if Mr.. Smith
had been present. His glowing eulogie!
on her beauty, and his passionate de
scriptions of his own affection, his
hopes, and his despairs, chimed in with
her mood exactly. Already his fine
person and manners had made great
impression on her; she had been very
near loving him. nothing, indeed, had
been needed but the touch of electricity
conveyed in the knowledge that she was
beloved.
Such proposals seldom or never take
women unawares. Eleanor had been
expecting it, and had already decided
on her answer. So, after short,
happy reflection, she opened her desk
and wrote Mr.. Smith a few lines which
she believed would make him supreme
ly happy.
Then she went to Alice's room, and
woke her out of her first sleep. go,
you lazy girl; why did you not crimp
your hairp Get up again, Alice dear;
l have secret to tell you. am-go-
observation-disclosures"
81 knew some catastrophe was i'm
pending, Eleanor; have felt it all day.
Poor Eleanor!"
CHOW, Alice, be reasonable. What
do you think of him-honestly, you
know?"
1.-The man has excellent qualities;
for instance, perfect taste in cravats,
and an irreproachable propriety. No
body ever saw him in any position out
of the proper center of gravity. Now
there is Carol, always sitting round on
tables or easels, or if on chair, on the
back or arms, or any way but as other
Christians sit. Then Mr.. Smith is hand
some; very much So"
go! you do admit thatP"
Eyes; but don't myself like men of
the hair-dresser style of beauty
"Alice, what makes you dislike him
so much?"
"Indeed, l don't, Eleanor. / think
he is very mice and very respectable.
Every one will say: What suitable
matchn and dare say you will be very
happy. He will do every thing you tell
him to do, Eleanor; and-oh dear me!
how l should hate a husband of that
kindr'
"You little hypocrite-with your
talk of woman's rights and woman s
supremacy"
"No, Eleanor love, don't call it hy-
pocrisy, please; say many -sidedneSS-
it is more womanly definition. But
if it is really to be so, then 1 wish you
joy, cousin. And what are you going
to wear?"
This subject proved sufficiently at
tractive to keep Alice awake couple
of hours. She even crimped her hair
in honor of the bridal shopping; and be-
fore matters had been satisfactorily ar
ranged she was so full of anticipated
pleasures that she felt really grateful
to the author of them, and permitted
herself to speak with enthusiasm of the
bridegroom. ....
Hell be sight to see, Eleanor, on
his marriage day. There won't be a
handsomer man nor better-dressed
man in America, and his clothes will all
come from Paris, l dare say"
81 think we will go to Paris first"
Then Eleanor went into a graphic de-
scription of the glories and pleasures of
Paris, as she had experienced them
during her first bridal tour. cit is the
most fascinating city in the world,
Alice"
81 dare say, but it is ridiculous
shame having it in such an out-of- the
way place. What is the use of having
Paris, when one has to sail three thou
sand miles to get at itp Eleanor, / feel
that shall have to 60"
$50 you shall, dear; I won't 60 with
out YOU"
90, no, darling; not with Mr. Smith
/ really could not. I shall have to try
and manage matters with Mr.. Carol.
We shall quarrel all the way across, of
course, but then
"Why don't you adopt his opinions,
AliceP'
81 intend to-for a little while; but
it is impossible to 60 on with the same
set of opinions forever. just think how
dull conversation would becomer'
"Well, dear, you may go to sleep
now, for mind, / shall want you down
to breakfast before eleven. 1 have
given Somebody permission to call at
five o'clock to-morrow-or rather to-
day-and we shall have a tete-a-tete
tea"
Alice determined that it should be
strictly tete-G-tete. She went to spend
the afternoon with Carols sisters, and
staid until she thought the lovers had
had ample time to make their VOWS and
arrange their wedding.
There was little pout on her lips as
she left Carol outside the door, and
slowly bent her steps to Eleanor's pri.
vate parlor. She was trying to make
up her mind to be civil to her cousins
new husband elect, and the temptation
to be anV thing else was very strong