The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-06-18
gelttt Story.
A RASH ENGAGEMENT,
HowAMALErRIFLER WAssBRVBD
BY GEORGE HENDERSON.


"Now, Gerard, l shall count on you :!
"My dear aunt, said Gerard Fay, tax
ing her hand and looking in her sparkling
face with intense gravity, do nothing Of
the sort. I protest against it You in
weighed me to your country-seat with per
fumed billets ana houeyed batteries. |
Weld; for who but madman could strag-
gle against destiny 10 such a shape2 But
eneroach no further. I consent to be or
namental-to adorn your saloons--to oe-
eupy the fourth scat ia your baroucbe-
to accompany you to church, aud stare
down the loungers around the door. but
utterly aud entirely refuse to be useful,
| win no. fau pletborie dowagers; ! will
not waltz With boarding school misses, nor
sing duets, nor b.iOg shawls, nor clasp
bracelets, uor--by Joye who's that y
Mrs.. LAyular smiled mischievously.
@Nellie Parker, the elergyman's daugh-
ter. Shall / introduce you?
aBy no means It's lovely, highbred
face, thoagh-elearly cut as cameo, an3
those soft, anfathomable eyes DO you
remember Dominic Cheno's Sybil?'
aweleome to Maplevood, said gay
voice behind him.
Gerard started and bit his lips.
aWhy did you not tell me Kate Irwin
was here = he said. 10 a vexed undertone
to his aunt; but Mrs. L Aymar had glided
away, and Gerard had nothing for it but
to seat himself resignedly BY the lady
dashing brunette, becomiusly arrayed in a
muslin dress and garden hat, who was
watching Mr. Fay with somewhat anus
ed smile.
again l say, welcome to Muplewood,
she repeated. 4, was vastly kind Of Mrs
L'Aymar to send for you. The country
is such bore, aad perhaps you can amusc
me; you did not use to be quite 50 stupid
as the rest 10 town
ssCool, that" thought Gerard. Then,
aloud 81 should be most happy to be
amusing to Miss Irwin, had not entered
a solemn protest against anything Of Tho
sort. came here to be entertained. So
to commence, who's here
"Why do you ask, since the villa is sh'
inevitable rechauffee of the town house
Mrs. POplin is here with Desdcmoua, Ar
aminta and Amanda. You should see how
they take to innocence, white muslin and
aew,laid eggs. Desdemona, who was a
young lady when l was in sh, IT clothes
sits on low stool and wears baby waists
aud Amanda has got a kitten aud puts up
her hair IN curl papers regularly. Then
there's Ada Golbeck, the blue; and Cob
ham, who waltzes 50 divinely; and that
fascinating little Mrs. Temple Stowe; and
Captain Gresham, whom every one is crazy
about; and your humble servant That's
all, l believe.
"Who is that young lady ?" asked Ger
ard, pointing to Miss Parker, who still sat
at the window.
Il really don't know, coldly answered
Miss Irwin; abut She looks stupid enough
however, to be the daughter Of some coun-
try magnate whom your polite aunt con
ccives il her duty to propitiate There's
the dressing bell =
aThank Heaven = calculated Gerard
aloud, as Miss Irwin swept from the room
Snow that the womankind are safe at
least an hour, | may get a nap. What a
bore this gallantry is, to be sure ! Why
couldn't have said to that consummate
coquette :-"I'm eonfoundedly sleepy
IF you'll permit me, I'll go aud dream oi
YOUR eyes" All the while he was leisurely
extending himself on light settee that be
had drawn up before one Of the deep bow
windows, every now and then making a
sally at impcrtinent mosquito, who hum,
med and buzzed in his car with irritating
persistency.
Through the waving curtains he could
dimly see the level, sloping lawn, the trees
motionless in the noon heat, the COWS
standing IN the pond beneath their shade,
the low plash Of the water; the shrill song
Of the grasshoppers grew fainter aud faint
or on his car, his eyes closed-'buz,
''hum there was that mosquito again
"Confouud the rascal = he exclaimed,
Jumping up in & rage, @if he hasn't bitten
my nose. lie is u greater torment than a
woman, and that's
He stopped short in dis'nay, for from
the recess Of the window issued peal of
clear, ringing laughter, and before him