The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-10-07

/
my determined response. You mus
listen to me once, Aunt Janet. Wher
your sister, my poor mother, died Ave
| years ago, aud left me to q considerable
extent at your mercy, begging me to h,
as daughter TO you, and you as n moth
er TO me, she trusted implicitly in u,
both. I have fulfilled my promise tc
the utmost of my ability. You have done
nothing Of the kind. The instant the
small income my mother left me was lost
through the failure of the c. Bank,
you took mean advantage Of my power
ty in every way you could. All this
have borne hitherto, more for the sake OF
my promise to my mother than anything
else; but The time has come when l am
resolved TO put up with it no longer"
You will be free soon, my very CRATE
full niece" answered my aunt calmly, "for
you will be the wife OF Gerald Bumpkins
before many weeks are over"
cried, detiantly. plot and scheme, and
scheme and llbt ae ytu may, shall new
er submit to that"
My aunt smiled satirically.
ave shall see, she answered, with an
air of the most aggravating confidence.
"Possibly you are not aware that have
let this cottage for twelve months, and
that we leave here by the day after to-
morrow. Change of air will do you good
my sweet niece. Itmay perhaps be news
to you that I have had long consulta-
ton with Gerald Bumpkins' father, and
that he and l Lave arranged the marriage
between you and his son"
"Monstrous wicked impossiblel' T. l
exclaimed.
1--WE shall leave here" went on my
aunt, "for the seaside. Your future hus-
band and his family will shortly follow.
and all will be settled with due regard to
your station and high connections"
A shudder ran through me from head
to foot. ! felt like one who has been en-.
trapped, and for whom there is no hope
Of escape. My aunt's cool confidence &C.
tually frightened me.
What was / to do?
had read of unhappy maidens being
forced into distasteful marriages and
dying of broken hearts, and of the me1
they trnly loved weeping pathetically
over their early graves.
when did you say Mr.. pumpkins
would be here?' asked mildly, utterly
ignoring her TRADE as to our future move
ments and my future fate.
"Tbis evening; I expect him moment
arily," she answered.
Then had better prepare myself tC
meet him" 1 responded III resigned
tone Of voice, and rising from my seat
quilted the room.
When had closed the door upon 10.
aunt the tears rushed to my eyes, aud
felt blind and giddy. / did not tarr,
within doors even to put on my hat
Bareheaded let myself out by the hal
door, and few to the little arbor at tn
bottom of the garden, where 1 kney
George awaited me.
threw myself into his arms, soLbini
like CHILD.
"My darling, what is the matter?'
"She is going to run away with me"
said, convulsively; "she means to fore
me into marrying that wretch pumpkins
On, she she-she-"
broke down utterly.
"Who Is going to 90 all this, my prec
ious oue?'
The tigress," sobbed.
Then the tigress must have her claw
clipped" said George, holding me stu
closer TO his sheltering breast.
When l had become little calmer
told him all Aunt Janet had said.
few moments later l returned to Il
house, much relieved, aud actually v il
a smile upon my face.
Mr.. Bumrkins put in an appearanc
a few moments after my return to th
drawing room. never treated him " it
7 more affabilty in my life My arr
, Looked charmed.
She left Mr.. Gerald pumpkins and m
alone together for quite half an hour. II
eudeavored to grow sentimental, and
did not snub him. let him talk Iut
} hish to his hearts content. Bat lie wa
nervous and shy. and had not summohe
! courage enough to be very gushing b,
fore my aunt returned. l could see, how
ever, that my manner had Inspired h'I
) with more hope of me than he had eve
felt before.
Il shall see you again tomorrow"
observed Significantly. rs lie warmI
clasped my hand at parting.
"To-morrow. Mr. Bumpkins! said
with my sweetest smile
MIR. Bumpkins! wish you would ca
me G,ralaw
Z "Ah! some day, perhaps" IAuswered
, with d bali shy little laugh, ana made
, escape from the pas age, whore this col
versation took place, into tie drawn
room.
My aunt opened the door for him afie
a little whispered conversation, ana
heard her hld him goodnight in her m 1s
hIeuily terms.
p Size nc Uall, patti q ne ou 'lie should,
When sbe rjainei me sld c,liyi a..
. ''dear' s,VtrI Times duTiug tie rem aI d
er Of tine evening.
: l stood il Al veil ~ I could, bat sool
mo'e Hn excuse lor retiring TO re,t
J. Poor Gs.Id Ba-gL.ns had said 30