Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-07-30

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 as he dragged forth
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 little nearer that of the
young lawyer, 81 think it's time this
business was settled"
"What business 2"
"What business 90 echoed Mrs. Pur-
pie, with a belligerent toss of her head;
cas- if you do not know well enough
what I am talking about-why getting
married, to be sure !"
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 eff
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, 81
am not blind if ] am getting into years,
and can see as well as anybody what
you mean by coming so often to our
house. But still I think you ought to
have spoken out like q man. I'm will
ing, and I don't suppose my brother will
object. as you seem to be able to keep u
wife !"
"You-you are very kind p stammered
MIR. Torrington.
els it to be yes or no-about the mar
riage, 1 mean?"
81 shall be most happy, am sure /"
futtered our miserable hero.
"Spoken like a 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. CT knew I should like your
Church stared. This was not exactly
etiquette; but the whole matter was re-
ally SO strange and unprecedented that
he hardly knew what to think.
"And when will you ccme round TO
brother Jacobs and tell the folks all
about it-for suppose you'd like to tell
them yourself? This EVENING""
"Y-yes, if you say sol"
"It's as good time as any, I suppose.
Of course you won't mention that 1 said
anything to you about it? I'd rather it
should seem unstudied."
Naturally enough!' thought poor
Church.
But he promised, with faint smile,
and parted frosa 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 have
won the love of the sweetest little fairy
the sun ever shone on. It was simply
idiotic of me to allow middle-aged ter
magant to take possession of me, as
though 1 were cooking-stove or Sec
ond-hand clock She viii marry me,
and shall be captive for life, simply
because was too much of 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 We're to back out, she'd sue me for a
breach of promise. If I were to go to
Australia, she would follow me there as
sure as fate /! I'm lost mani"
And Church Torrington proceeded
straight to the mansion where dwelt the
memorable Sarepta.
And, behold as he knocked at the
door, Miss Purple herself opened the
door, and mysteriously beckoned him in.
81 saw You coming" she said, in a
low, eager tone. "I've been on the
lookout. Excuse me, my dear, but
really feel as if I must kiss you once
more. We're going to be relations, you
know"
"Relations should think So
groaned Church Torrington, taking the
L Il