The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-05-19

the end Of the table.
"Of course she will, and We will be
uncles and aunts," reared Tom.
Thomas, leave the table, directly
cried Mrs. Harper.
"Yes, 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 aud begged her to read
= "weii," said Mrs. Harper, after . 81
lence Of thirty five minutes, ''avery pretty
letter, / must say-but who is this
Thomas Somerby?"
why, mamma" replied Fanny, IT
don't exactly remember ever seeing him,
but"
''Ah, we'll, that's Of no consequence
You shall answer this letter directly
Just the situation for Won. 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
WAsA .yON 0VCIy oCn6OAs
Dear mamma, you forget that | am
ct the head Of tho Anti Matrimonial So
ciety."
..3ut that's of no consequence. Only
think OF your friend Jnlia-such
nice honse-such elegant furniture
such 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 80, Fanny, you are really going
to take this Mr.. What 's-his name? You
needn't blush, formamma has told MS 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 know / think
Co."
"Wcll," continued Kate, shave you
written the answer? Let mo see Il. do.
Come now, shan't tell the girls what
pretty things You say to him.
katy said Fanny, solemnly 'you
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, il there was anything that Kate
particularly disliked it was to see tears
shed by anybody for any reason; there
fore, rs she began to suspect that Fanny
meditated some such act, she lost no
time in retreating.
When Fanny came to tee she was as
sailed by host Of questions, congratn-
lations, and kisses from papa, mamma,
her four sisters and three brothers.
How dye do, Mrs. Somerhy?" asked
"Now for the wedding cake" shouted
Tom.
You'll let me be bridesmaid, won't
your 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 by
Kate that il had been upside down for
an hour. Mammals knitting work lay
quietly in her lap, while her thoughts
wandered off to q certain fine house in
the country, where several children ran
about, bearing decided resemblance to
her daughter Fanny. Matilda, Ann
and Lucy withdrawn into 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 Is 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 s'fine establishment-iust
the thing for Fan; don't you think SO,
pa?" And Mr.. H. answered without
waking: Eyes. my dear, he'll put his
name on my notes, 1 dare say" Pretty
little young men, brothers Of Mr.. Som
erby, fitted around the apartments Of
Lucy and of Ann, while visions of plan
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 WINS q 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.
'sYes," 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 own
happiness. l will be Mrs Somerby."
Fanny looked out upon the quiet sky,
the moon and stars, and thought, "How
fine tale could be made from this-a
daughter sacrificing herself for the sake
of her mother!"
II 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 fancy her handwriting?
Perhaps her note was too cold, maybe
too hot; he might not expect an answer
SO soon and would be shocked ct her
haste. But nll these heart-quakings
were in yain-the letter was gone.