The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-08-27
TN THE DARK.

81 cannot see what possesses you,
Ervine, to act as you do !" complained
Mrs Grancy. "You know very well that
You will never have such another oppor-
tunity to secure rich husband. Here
i Morgan Ingraham all cut and dried
to your hand, rich and agreeable and
handsome. I must say never saw
handsomer man. And not creditable
rival in the way, for neither your cousin
nor Vashti Short can hold a candle to
you in point of beauty"
"Well, mamma, and if I don't want
Mr.. Morgan Ingraham?" said IRVINE,
indolently, without raising her eyes
from her novel.
Don't want Mr.. Morgan Ingraham !?
Then who on earth do you want ?" in
accents of despair.
Sim not sure that want any one-to
marry. am only just twenty, and as
strong and healthy as an orthodox
young plebeian should be. suppose
it is not imperative that should have
a husband p IRVINE answered, calmly,
still, to all appearances, deeply inter-
ested in her book.
"Well, suppose quite differently.
What do you think your aunt invited
you here for but to get husband?
Certainly not for love of either you or
I. She hates us both. And she con-
siders, as she distinctly told us, that
she will have quite done her duty by
us, now that she has educated you,
when she has given you one season in
society under her prestige and chance
to make a match"
"Mamma, I am extremely obliged to
Aunt Jerome for my education, as |
have told her; and mean to put 1t to
such use as to pay her back every cent
she expended on it, as I have not told
her, but she will find out some day AS
for her invitation here, accepted it be-
cause l thought I might as we'll have
one little taste of life before settling
down to sober realities and hard work;
but to marry at her command, or any
ones else, / have no intention of do
ing"
ssNo intention of marrying? Then
what are you intending to do, may l
ask?" questioned Mrs. Grancy, in a
passion. 81 suppose we are both to
go to the poorhouse J"
"Not at ALL Your income is the
same as it ever was-suficiently large
to enable you to live comfortably. |
shall make no demands on it. intend
to work for my living" IRVINE said,
firmly, turning a page slowly and de-
liberately with her strong white hand.
"Work for your living!" with fine
scorn. "And what do you expect to
do?"
Greatly, mamma, I have not decided.
But Mr.. ingraham would not be likely
to refuse me, do you think, position
as saleslady, or, perhaps, cashier, in one
of his numerous establishments, were |
to apply?"
"Ervine, you try me beyond all en-
DURANGO! For heavens sake put down
that book and let us talk sense You
can marry Morgan Ingraham if you try,
and you mustl.'
Miss Grancy threw aside her novel
now. and stood up, revealing her strong,
shapely young figure at its best.
"Mamma," she commenced, proudly,
"I am quite willing to talk sensel |
have talked sense from the first. Don't
YOU suppose Mr.. Ingraham knows that
I am poor and have been asked here to
entrap him-because he is rich-lnto a
marriage? Has Aunt Jerome lost any
opportunity of letting him know the
true state of affairs? Have you lost any
opportunity of throwing me at his head
Let me tell you-once for all-that |
will not marry him That | hate him
That I will not marry any man, just be-