The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-05-27

Fanny retired to her own room to
mediate upon Mr.. Somerby. A tap at
her door aroused her from the reverie
into which she had fallen, and Kate,
with an air of great Importance, made
her appearance.
"And so, Fanny, you are really going
to take this Mr.. What s-his-name? You
needn't blush, formamma has told us all
about it, and we have planned out about
the dresses and everything; and after
you are married you know [ shall have
your room, for papa says [ may. And
there's another thing which I must tell
you. Oh, Fanny, I hope shall have
love letter some of these days"
Fanny hardly knew whether to laugh
or cry, but in spite of the grave face
which she found it expedient to put on,
several little smiles twinkled in her eyes,
smiles that said: "Kate, you are dar-
ling, but mustn't let you knowI think
So"
"Well," continued Kate, ''have you
written the answer? Let me see it. do.
Come now, I shan't tell the girls what
pretty things you say to him. "
'Katy," said Fanny, solemnly lyon
must not talk any more about the matter.
I confess that it is very hard to disap-
point you all and to distress him, but it
must be done"
Now, if there was anything that Kate
particularly disliked it was to see tears
shed by anybody for any reason; there
fore, as she began to suspect that Fanny
meditated some such act, she lost no
time in retreating.
When Fanny came to tea she was as
sailed by host of questions, congratll-
lations, and kisses from papa, mamma,
her four sisters and three brothers.
"How dye do, Mrs. Somerby?" asked
one.
"Now for the wedding cake" shouted
Tom.
you'll let me be bridesmaid, won't
you?" urged Ann.
"And if Mr.. S. givesyou a gold watch
won't you give me your old one?" asked
Matilda
After tea no one seemed inclined to
set aboutany regular employment. Papa
held his newspaper before his eyes as
Kate that it had been upside down for
an hour. Mammals knitting work lay
quietly in her lap, while her thoughts
wandered off to certain fine house in
the country, where several children ran
about, bearing decided resemblance to
her daughter Fanny. Matilda, Ann
and Lucy withdrawn into q snug corner,
debated the questions whether he were
handsome or otherwise; if he had dark
hair or light, if he had not several broth
ers, etc.
Dreams, such as had never visited
them before, came this night to the
members of the Harper family. A tall,
melancholy man, with black whiskers.
and black coat, disturbed the slumbers
of the gentle Fanny; mamma talked in
her sleep of ''hne establishment Just
the thing for Fan; don't you think so,
pap" And Mr.. Ell. answered without
waking: eyes, my dear, he'll put his
name on my notes, I dare say" Pretty
little young men. brothers of Mr.. Som
erby, fitted around the apartments of
Lucy and of Ann. while visions of plum
cake danced temptingly before the eye
of Tom and Sam.
Poor Fanny was in sad perplexity.
Her mamma had expressed it as her
opinion that the match was desirable
one, she had even limited chat her
daughter might never have another
chance" and that for her part she could
depart in peace should she see her fam
lily comfortably settled for life.
And Fannys filial affection conquered
all her scrupples, and she resolved to
see, to accept Mr.. Somerby.
EYES," said she to herself, as she again
dwelt upon the tenderness of the prec-
ious letters, ''the sacrifice must be made.
1 must crafty my dear mother, even
though it be at the expense of my own
happiness. I will be Mrs. Somerby."
Fanny looked out upon the quiet sky,
the moon and stars, and thought, Chow
fine tale could be made from this-a
daughter sacrificing herself for the sake
of her motheri"
1t was time to write her answer to the
letter; but how should she begin? Must
it be with 'Mr. Somerby, sir?" Oh, no,
that was too formal. With 'My dear
sir?" That was too affectionate. And
when the matter had been settled and
the letter fairly written, the equally i'm
portant question remained how she
should subscribe herself. Was she to be
''Yours, respectfully" or truly" or
sincerely" or "affectionately?" A diff
cult problem!
But all things have an end, and the
letter was sent. Then it was that
Fanny's heart began to quake. What if
Mr. S. should not fancyher handwriting?
Perhaps her note was too cold, maybe
too hot; he might not expect an answer
so soon and would be shocked at her
haste. But all these heart-quakings
we're in vain-the letter was gone.
To pass away the time, which now
hung heavily upon her hands, Fanny
called to tell Julia the whole story. The
kind friend was in raptures. ''Just the
man for you, my dear, she cried. so
he says he has met you in your walks
and at church. Well, I can imagine
how he looks; he's the very image of my
husband, I've no doubt"
Fanny next called upon the second di-
rectress of the Anti Matrimonial Society,
young lady of an uncertain age, and
informed her that for private reasons
she must resign her own office, begging
her friend to make this resolution known
to the society at their next meeting.
Meanwhile the four sisters ran to tell
the news. Each one had her own par
ticular friend who must not be forgotten.
and in the course of two days, it was
known to al Fanny's acquaintance that
the fair damsel had been wooed and
won. The third day passed, and there
had come no letter from the impatient
lover. Fanny resolved not to sleep a
wink that night. ''What will become of
me, . thought she; 81 must be in loye!"
In the midst of her despair she fell
asleep.
The next morning little note, sealed