The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-05-12

Ioduy uOZ0ub Vi your own, you Cdu, OF
course, feel little curiosity respecting
this one. Besides, what right have I to
read you Fanny's secret?
Fanny came down to dinner with an
air of dignity quite unusual to her.
'Do tell us who the letter was from?"
asked Lucy.
''Shall you say yes?' called Sam, from
the end of the table.
"Of course she will, and we will be
uncles and aunts," roared Tom.
''Thomas, leave the table, directly"
cried Mrs. Harper.
eyes, mamma, said Tom, encouraged
by the bushes and filters of the four
sisters; ''but is it for saying that Fanny
would say yes, or that We should be
uncles and aunts?"
"Go away, you naughty boy!" and
Tom was gone.
When dinner was over, Fanny took
her mother aside and begged her to read
the letter.
"Well," said Mrs. Harper, after a 81
lence of thirty-five minutes, "avery pretty
letter, I must say-but who is this
Thomas Somerby?."
"Why, mamma" replied Fanny, 81
don't exactly remember ever seeing him,
but"
SAh, well, that's of no consequence.
You shall answer this letter directly
just the situation for you. Let me see
lives in the country during the summer
months. La, we can take the children
and spend at least four out of the year
with you every season."
"Dear mamma, you forget that l am
at the head of the Anti Matrimonial So
ciety."
"But that's of no consequence. Only
think of. your friend Julia-such
q nice house-such elegant furniture
such a sweet baby as she has!'
"Yes,' Julia seems very happy; and,
do you know, mamma, she has really
urged me of late to be more charitable
in my opinions of gentlemen. After all,
I have possibly been to severe"
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
totake this Mr.. Notwithstanding? 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 I shall have
your room, for papa says I may. And
there's another thing which I must tell
you. Oh, Fanny, / hope I shall have a
love letter some of these days"
Fanny hardly knew whether to laugh
Or oru huf IN cpifa of Tho o,.or,o Coo
which she found it expedient to put on,
several little smiles twinkled in her eyes,
smiles that said: "Kate, you are a dar-
ling, but I mustn't let you knowI think
So"
"Well," continued Kate, .shave 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 'tyou
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" r
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 a host of questions, congratu-
~lations, and kisses from papa, mamma,
her four sisters and three brothers.
"How dye do, Mrs. Somerby?" asked
one.
Nov for the wedding cake" shouted
Tom.
"Youn let me be bridesmaid, won't
your" urged Ann.
-'And if Mr.. s. gives you 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
usual, but it was at last discovered by
Kate that it had been upside down for
an hour. Mammals knitting work lay
quietly in her lap, while her thoughts
wandered off to a certain fine house in
the country, where several children ran
about, bearing a decided resemblance to
her daughter Fanny. Matilda, Ann
and Lucy Withdrawn into a 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 'tine establishment-iust
the thing for Fan; don't you think so,
pa?" And Mr. Fl. answered without
waking: eyes, my dear, he'll put his
name d 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 a desirable
one, she had even limited that 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 Fanny's 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.
I must crafty my dear mother, even
though it be at the expense of my OWL
happiness. I will be Mrs. Somerby."
Fanny looked out upon the quiet sky,
the moon and stars, and thought, elbow
fine a tale could be made from this-a
daughter sacrificing herself for the sake
of her mother!"
It was time to write her answer to the
letter; but how should she begin? Mus
it be with "Mr. Somerby, sir?" Oh, no.
that was too formal. With "My deal
sir?" That was too affectionate. An6
when the matter had been settled an6
the letter fairly written, the equally i'm
portant question remained how she
should subscribe herself. Was she to be
'fYours, respectfully" or 'ftruly," o.
sincerely" or "affectionately?" A diff.
cult problem!
But all things have an end, and the
letter WAS sent Then IL was tho,