The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1881-05-19

"N'' iIO i'JOlAGu5 anu ~
the conversation ended.
From the conversation which We
have recorded above the reader Will
obtain some insight into the character
of Miss Esthers feelings toward Mr..
Bigelow. She would hardly confess
it to herself, but, as matter of fact,
her ideas of marriage had suffered a
material change within brief period.
Meanwhile the gentleman contin-
ued his visits. Oftentimes he would
ask to see the bed of flowers, on which
Esther rather pricIed herself, and some
times he would petition for seed, being
very fond Of flowers, as he said, and
very anxious to introduce them in his
own garden.
On one of these occasions Mr.. Bige-
low, after little visible embarrass-
ment, said, hesitatingly:
Il would like to ask your advice,
Miss Esther, on rather delicate sub
ject, and one of gr,a: Importance to
myself. There is one thing I wish to
secure to mako my establishment com
plcte; but hardly know in what man
ner to ask for it."
"What is it you refer to?" asked
Esther, unsuspiciously.
"a wife," was the significant re-
ply.
Instantly a crimson flushed Esther's
cheeks. She did not trust herself to
speak.
''Need I say that you are the one
whom, of all others, would seek to
place in that pcsition?'
He took her unresisting hand and
kissed it with all the gallantry ofa
young lover.
''But what will my brother say?"
inquired Esther, when she had found
voice to speak.
"What should he say" You are
your own mistress surely"
Yes, but he is always ridiculing
the idea of marriage. and 1 couldn't
venture to tell him.
NO need of it. Let's run away to
New York and get married. You
know" he added, gaiiy, ''we are both
young and romantic, and it would be
quite in character"
Esther at first objected, but when
she came to consider that in this way
she would be relieved of great por-
ton OF the embarrassment which such
a step would naturally bring with it,
she consented, and that day week was
appointed for the departure. She re-
quired this time to make preparations.
Meanwhile, if Esther had not been
so exclusively occupied with her own
affairs, she might have noticed that a
change had come over Philip. He
was often absent evenings, and when
at home WAS more silent and abstract
than his wont. The former she readi-
~ attributed to the cause which he
had assigned-namcly, Il pressure Of
business. The latter she did not OBJ
serve, her mind being preoccupied.
We, who are in the secret, may take
the liberty of following him on one Of
his business calls. 1t WAS neat cot
tage, from whose front door dangled
an immense knocker. The door was
opened by the same Miss Preston, who,
some months before, he thought
''might do" for Mr.. Bigelow"
Good evening, Maria,' as he en-
tered. After a brief conversation
about the weather, the crops, and
other standard topics, which, how
ever trivial they may seem, could
hardly be dispensed with, he began to
show signs of embarrassment, and
finally CALCULATED:
"Maria-Miss Preston-I mean Ma
ria, what are your opinions about mar
riage?"
why" said she, Il hardly know.
1 don't think I haye given much con-
sideration to the subject"
Because" continued Philip, 81
find my opinions have suffered Il great
change on this point. There was a
time when 1 thought it unwise; but
now, if 1 could get a good wife, such
as you, for example, Il should be in
clined to try it"
''Oh, Mr.. Mason" saiI Miss Pres
ton, in some perturbation, ''how you
talk"
Five minutes afterward Miss Pres
ton had accepted the proposal OF
Philip, and the two were, to all in
tents and purposes, engaged.
''The only thing I think of" said
the gentleman, after brief pause, sis
that my sister Esther is a decided
enemy to marriage, ard I hardly dare
tell her am about to marry. If we
could only get away and have the
ceremony performed it would be
( pleasanter
Suppose we go to New York"
suggested the bride elect.