The Hickman courier., 1881-05-13

such matters, an explanation or even a
sight OF Fanny's letter would be unin-
telhglble; and as for Won who have al
ready dozens of your own Won can. of
course, feel little curiosity respecting
this one. Besides, what RIGHT have 1 to
read you Fanny's secret?
Fanny came down to dinner with an
ar o1 dignity quite unusual to her.
asked Lucy.
"Shall you say yes?" called Sam, from
the end of the table
'Ot course she viii, and we will be
uneles and aunts, roared Tom.
'Ihomas, leave the table. directly"
cried Mrs. Harper.
Yes, mamma, said Tom. encouraged
by the bushes and filters of the four
sisters; "but Is 1t for saving 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. '.ayery pretty
letter, L must say-but who is this
Thomas SOmerby?"
''Why, mamma. repIied Fanny, 81
don't exactly remember ever seeing him,
but
"Ah, 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 Mt least four out Of the year
with you every season.
Dear mamma, You forget that l am
at the head % the Anti Matrimonial 30
ciety."
But that's Of no consequence. Only
think of your friend Julia-such
a nice house-such elegah furniture
such sweet baby as she has,
Yes, Julia seems very happy; and.
do you know, mamma, sac has really
urged me of late to be mGe charitable
IN my opinions of gentlemen. After all,
l have possibly been to severe.
Fanny retired to her own room to
mediate upon Mr. Somerby \ 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 L shall have
your room, for papa SAYS l may. And
there's another thing which / must tell
you. Oh, Fanny. ] hope | shall have a
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 n dar-
ling, but L mustn't let you knowI think
so"
"Wen," continued Kate, '.have You
written the answer? Let me see it, do.
Come now, 1 shau't tell the girls what
pretty things you say TO him.
katy" said Fanny, solemnly 'you
must not talk any more about the matter
| 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 10 see tears
shed by anybody for any reason; there
Z
medltated some such act, she lost no
time In retreating.
When Fanny came to tea she was bs-
sailed by host Of questions, congratu-
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.. ;. gives YOU 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 bv
Kate that 1t had been upside down for
an hour. Mamma 5 knitting work Law
quietly in her lap, while her thoughts
off 10 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,
man, with black whiskers
and black coat. disturbed the slumbers
Of the gentle Fanny; mamma talked In
her sleep of ''fine establishment-iust
the thing for Fan; don't You think so.
pa?" And Mr.. II. 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 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
ly comfortably settled for life
And Fanny's filial affection conquered
all her scrupples, and she resolved to
see, to accept Mr.. Somerby
''Yes," said she to herself, as she again
dwelt upon the tenderness of the prec-
ious letters, ''the sacrifice must be made.
| must crafty my dear mother, even
though it be at the expense of my own
happiness. 1 viii be Mrs Somerby."
Fanny looked out upon the quiet sky,
the moOn and stars, andthought, "How
fine a tale could be male from this-a
daughter sacrificing herself for the sake
of her motherl"
1t was time to write her answer to the
letter; but how should she begin? Must
1t be with Mr. Somerby, sir?" Oh, no,
that was too formal. With ''My dear
sir?" That was too afiectionate. 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 'afectionately?" a diff
cult probleml
But all things have an end, and the
letter was sent. Then it was that