Mexico weekly ledger., 1882-09-28

she not Violet's aunt!-the aunt of
the fair damsel whom he wolshipped
afar off and in silence?
"Thank you," said Miss Purple,
depositing herself in the chair as one
might set down heavy trunk-''Tve
come on business"
"Indeed!"
Because said Miss Sarepta,
edging her chair little nearer that
Of the young lawyer, 81 think it is
time this business was settled"
'sWhat business?''
"What business?" echoed Miss
Purple, with beligerent toss of her
head, "as if you do not know well
enough what 1 am talking about
why, getting married, to be sure!"
Mr.. Tor1ngton grew shade or
two paler. Was it possible that this
ancient maiden still contemplated the
probability of matrimony? Had she
then selected him for her victim? He
looked at the back window-it OPEN
ed on a blind alley, which led no.
where. He glanced at the door, but
Miss PUPPIES gaunt form efIectually
barred 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," said Miss Sarepta, ~
am not blind if I am getting into
years, and I can see as well as any
body what you mean by coming so
often to our house. But still, think
you ought to have spoken out like
man.. I'm willing and 1 don't expect
my brother will object, as you seem
to be able to support wife!''
''You-you are very kind" STAN
mered MIR. Torrington..
"Is it to be yes or no-about the
marriage l mean?''
II shall be most happy, I'm quite
sure" futtered our miserable hero.
''Spoken like 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 a kiss, on Torrlng-
toms forehead. 81 knew l should
like you"
| Church stared. This was not ex-
actly etiquette; but the whole matter
was really so strange and unprece-
dented that he hardly knew what to
think. s-.5 p.
''And when will you come to broth
er Jacobs and tell the folks all about
it-for I suppose you would like to
tell them yourself? This evening?''
t'Y-yes, if you say so!'
''It's as good time as any, l sup
pose. OF course, you won't men,
ton that I said anything to you about
| it? I'd rather it should seem un-
studied"
':Naturally enough" thought poor
But he.promised with q faint smile
Iaad parted from Miss Purple, Amost
shrinking from the vigorous grasp Of
the hand which, she anhesitatingly be-
stewed upon Inn. . - -
No sooner. was Church Torrington
alone than the full horror of his posi-
ton rushed upon him. What had he
done?s To what had he committed
himself?
SIT serves me right" he muttered
grinding his teeth, "when I could
have won the love of the sweetest lit
tie fairy that the sun ever shone on.
It was simply idiotie of me to allow
a middle-aged termagant to take pos
session Of me as though were some
cooking stove or secondhand clock.
ttshe viii merry me- and I willie a
captive for life, simply because was
too much of.a noodle to save myself.
tO dear, dear thigis asterrible scrape
for fellow to get into. But there
is no help for it now. If 1 were to
back out she would sue me for breach
of promise. + I were TO go to Aus
ttralia she would follow me there, as
fsure as fate; am lost man.
And Church Torrington proceeded
straight to the mansion where dwelt
the inexorable Smepta.
/ And, behold as he knocked at the
door. Miss Purple herself opened it
and mysteriously beckoned him in.
~ saw you coming" she said in a
How tone. 81 have been on the look
out. Excuse me, dear, but 1 really
feel as though must kiss you once
more we're going to be relations,
you know
"Relations! I should think sol"
groaned Church Harrington, taking
the kiss as the child would ,quinine
powder.
! Miss Sarepta patted him on the
shoulder. tf ,.3..
"Then go in,'' she said, nodding
/ mysteriously to tue door beyond.
s'Go in-where!'' stammered cur
tbewildered hero. ...e
."Why, to Violet, to be surel"
/ "Te Violet! Was it Violet that
you meant" 3
! ssTo be sure it was! Who did YOU
| fsuppose / meant-me?" III. ~.
This last suggestion, hGarded as
A. ,xr.I<1<x,S H., :s,,v~~oE l,sl.<v, Ne. Co