Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-03-01
"Do you care for him 2"
II don't know, aunt, she said, blush
ing still more deeply,

hnu nave done with IL.
81 don't know, aunt - This time in
a sort of despairing accent.
Miss Sarepta Purple set herself to un-
tangie this Gordian knot of circum-
stances as she would "snarl" in her
skeins OF mixed woods and when Miss
Sarepta set herself about q thing, she
was generally in the habi. of accomplish.
ing it.
"Ill go and see him myself, "..was the
result Of long day of meditation 6n
Miss Sarepta's part; "and / wort let
Violet know about it"
Mr.. Church Torrington sat in his
leather covered easy chair. looking out
difficult case in Estoppels when his
clerk announced ga lady; :" and, turn
ing abruptly around, he encountered the
gaze of Miss Sarepta Puppies spec.
tacled orbs.
He colored scarlet rs he dragged forth
o chair, and stammered out some inco-
herent sentence or other-for was not
she Violet's aunt ?-the aunt OF the fair
damsel whom he worshiped afar off and
in silence
THANK you," said Miss Purple, de-
posting herself on the chair as one
might set down a heavy trunk" I've
come on business"
Indeed |"
because, said Miss Purple, edging
her chair a little nearer that of the
young lawyer. ~ think it's time this
business was settled"
"What business ?"
what business ?" echoed Mrs. Pur-
pie, with belligerent toss of her head;
as if you do not know we'll enough
what / am talking about-why getting
married, to be sure T.
Mr.. Torrington grew a shade or two
paler. Was it possible that this ancient
maiden still contemplated the probabili-
ty of matrimony? Had she then selected
him for her victim? He looked at the
back window-it opened on blind alley,
which led nowhere. He glanced at the
door; but Miss Puppies gaunt form ef-
fectually debarred that means of egress.
No--there was nothing but to sit still
and face the worst that fate had in store
for him.
"You see," went on Miss Sarepta, "I
am not blind if am getting into years,
and / can see as we'll as anybody what
you mean by coming so often to our
house. But still think you ought to
have spoken out like q man. I'm will
ing, aud don't suppose my brother will
object, as you seem to be able to keep
wife!
"You-you are very kind |" stammered
Mr.. Torrington.
"Is it to be yes or no-about the mar
riage, mean?"
II shall be most happy, am sure !"
fluttered our miserable hero.
"Spoken like q man! It's what I
knew you meant all the time," cried
Aunt Sarepta, rising to her feet, and
actually depositing an oscular demon
stration, meant for kiss, on Church's
forehead. "I knew should like you"
Church stared. This was not exactly
etiquette; but the whole matter was re-
ally 80 strange and unprecedented that
he hardly knew what to think.
"And when will you come round to
brother Jacobs and tell the folks all
about it--for suppose you'd like to tell
them yourself? This EVENING""
"Y-yes, il you say so =
"lt's as good time as any, suppose.
or course you won't mention that l said
anything TO you about it? I'd rather it
should seem unstudied."
NATURALLY enoughp thought poor
Church.
But he promised, with faint smile,
and parted from Miss Purple, almost
shrinking from the vigorous grasp Of
the hand which she unhesitatingly be-
slowed upon him.
No sooner was Church Torrington
alone than the full horror Of his posi-
ton rushed upon him. What had he
done To what had he committed him
self?
1t serves me right" he muttered,
grinding his teeth, "when could lave
won the love OF the sweetest little fairy
the sun ever shone on. 1t was simply
idiotic of me to allow middle-aged ter
magnnt TO take possession of me, as
though I were a cooking-stovo or Sec
ond-hand clock She will marry me,
and shall be q captive for life. simply
because was too much of q noodle to
save myself Oh, dear, dear this is q
terrible scrape for poor fellow to get
into But there is no help for it now.
II were TO back out, she'd sue me for a
breach of promise. If / were to go to
Australia, sine would follow me there as
sure as fate I'm lost mani"
And Church Torrington proceeded
straight TO the mansion where dwelt the
inexorable Sarepta.
And, behold as he knocked at the
door, Miss Purple herself opened the
door. and mysteriously beckoned him in.
"I saw you coming" she said, in
low, esger tone. i've been ON the