The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-11-30
''Then he really means to offer?"

''Then he really means to offer"
queried Miss Barclay.
''Oh, he's desperate" answered Fred
And that night another letter was
written to Cousin Elizabeth which con-
tanned this sentence:
Nov, Cousin Lizzie, l am in dilemma.
Fred and Abby are not smitten with each other,
but Fred has brought q friend of his here, a
MIR: Frank Oakley, who is maxim" love TO your
girl. Give me my instructions. Fred assures
me ne is an excellent match and good fellow,
and consider him most agreeable But am [
to foster the affair or send him pac,ling? Alb
by is your daughter. l await instructions. 1
know your temper, Elizabeth. We quarrelled
once; don't let us do it again.
The answer was brief as q telegram:
"Any young man but that detcstabe Francis
Chomondly. Foster it."
So the young people were left to their
own devices; the house rang with laugh
ter, the orchard was robbed, the horses
driven out for moonlight rides, the boat
was forever on the river, and the voice
of the piano told the passers by that
MissBarclay had company"
There were parties at the old house,
too, and even old Isaac Barclay was
sufficiently interested to sit up till nine
O'Clock, and to tell q very long story
without any end of visit he had once
made Boston where he had his pocket
picked.
The pleasantest days that had ever
been known at the Barclay mansion
were these, and they had been prolong-
ed two months, and now Fred must go
home-must indeed-nor could Frank
inger longer.
''And must go too, aunt" said Abb
by. Il suppose l must, but | shall
never forget this happy time, and l
want you to kiss me tonight and tell
me you'll always love me, for you've
been kinder than ever ma was to me-"
Abby said this late at night, sitting on
low stool at Miss Barclays feet, and
there were tears in her eyes. But next
morning when the confiding old lady
rose, Sarah met her with an ominous
look, and the declaration that something
must have happened.
CHOW you scare me, Sarah" cried
Miss Barclay. ''What can have hap
pened? Brother Isaac is well, isn't he?''
"He's well enough" replied Sarah.
''But Miss Abby amt been abed all
night, and her trunk is gone. and here's
a note that lay on her piller.'
Miss Barclay seized the missive and
opened it with shaking hands. 1t read
thus:
DEAREST AUNTIE,-Don't be angry. Re
member your promise to love me always.
When you read this / shall be married. ! shall
be Mrs. Francis Oakley ChoImondly. Fred is
Franks best man, and little Lille Jones, from
the village, my bridesmaid You see it, don't
you? Fred was i'll the plot, and he introduced
Frank Oakley to you. You never guessed that
Oakley was only his middle name. We hated
to deceive you. You were 50 good we all adore
you, but ma was cruel, and I'm of age since
last week. I'm very happy, only if you don't
forgive me shall never forgive myself Ma
will have to, after awhile.-Your affectionate
niece. ABBY.
mo, must write it all
"ABBY CHOLMONDLY."
81 shall dier screamed Miss Barclay.
''Fd rather, than face Elizabeth"
But she did not; nobody did. Every
body is alive and well ut this moment,
and even his prejudiced mother-in-Iaw
has come to admit that Frank is not so
bad u fellow, after all.