Sharp County record., 1882-08-24


miss Mollie, please tell your aunt
that am coming over, this afternoon,
to see her on important business.
Mollie delivered the message in such
manner that Miss Marcia was con-
vinced that the important moment had
arrived, and Mr.. Piper must be coming
to propose.
At four that afternoon, as Mollie lay
swinging lazily in the hammock, a per-
feet picture in white muslin and blue
ribbons, she heard the gate turn on its
hinges, and, looking around, beheld Mr..
Piper coming up the walk, his face very
red from the combined effects OF the
heat and his nervousness, and look OF
desperation overspreading his features.
He returned her pleasant "good-after-
noon" in a Hurried manner, and hast
ened into the parlor, where Miss Marcia,
in her best black silk. sat awaiting his
arrival.
Hardly had his portly form vanished
within the door before Jack Morris
came strolling down the street, and,
ignoring the existence of the gate, took
his six feet of humanity over the low
white fence, and approached his divini-
ty, who by this time was in convulsions
of laughter.
"Might | ask the cause of your hilari-
ty, fair one?" said he. "lt must be
something uncommonly rich to cause
such merriment Oh such very hot day
as this" :"
80 jack" gasped Mollie, as soon as
her mirth subsidized sufficiently to allow
of speech. "Mr. Piper has just gone
into the house to see auntie, and l am
almost sure that he intends asking her
for me. It's too funny, and yet feel
little guilty when | think how l have
persuaded her to believe that it is her.
self. and not me, in whom our venera-
BILE friend is interested. | wish | could
see the fun! l am dying to know what
he will say. Stay-I have it! Let's 60
around to the south window, where the
honeysuckle vine grows, and we can see
and hear without being discovered" "
No sooner said than done. They
hastened to the spot, and, ensconcing
themselves in the shadow of the thickly
growing vines, found they had an excel
lent view of the room and its inmates,
and were in no danger of being seen by
them. They arrived just as Mr.. Piper
drew his chair to Aunt Marcia's side,
and said nervously:
"I-ah--called this afternoon-ah-
awful hot day, ma am, tO-ah-to speak
TO YOU on very important subject.
You must know from my frequent vis-
it's" continued he, gaining courage as
he went along, something of my feel
ings, and may be aware Of ny inten-
tons"
Here Mr.. Piper paused, but receiving
no reply, went on.
"To tell you the truth, Miss Marcia,
l am in love, and l came over this after
noon to ask you if you can give me any
hope that my love is returned. You
ought to be able to tell me-"
This speech had the effect of confirm
ing Miss Marcia's belief that Mr.. Piper
wanted her, and no one else, and with a
blush that made her look ten years
younger, she exclaimed:
"Why, really, Mr.. Piper, this is a
surprise. | had no idea you cared for
me except as friend. l don't know
what to say except to tell you that l
value your regard very highly, and that
l return your affection"
Mr.. Piper's face during this speech
was a study. He turned red, white, and
finally red again, as he grasped the
meaning of her words and realized the
scrape he was in. Words cannot do
Justice to his state of mind. He inward
" cursed himself forhis stupidity in not
speaking more plainly, and making a
desperate effort to explain, the poor
man gasped out:
"I-really--am very much obliged
for your kindness. I can't thank you
enough for your preference. But"
40, never mindn' interrupted she,
pitying his embarrassment, and bent on
relieving his confusion. Don't thank
me. Pm sure you are very kind to
want an old maid like me, when there
are so many younger ones. How sur
prised Mpllie will be! She will be glad,
too, know, dear child, that she won't
leave me alone when she is married" "
"Marriedp' he almost shouted, in
his surprise. "Is she goingto be mar
ried?"
"Yes; it is not generally known, but
she is engaged to Judge Morris son,
and they are to be married in a year. l
don't wonder you are surprised. She
seems such child"
Mr.. Piper's heart went down into his
boots. He was silent moment, but
during that time he did great deal OF
thinking. He realized that Mollie was
lost to him now, even if he explained
matters to Miss Marcia, and got free OF
his present ENHANCEMENT With that
thought in his mind it did not seem OF
much Importance what became OF him,
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