The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-08-12

worth living, and she have only what the
balance of the jeaI11eSSe equieSee of Prince
Vinca might give her. with the contact,
too, of the disdainful noble connections,
and the implication of having sold her
self for price? Why should papa want
her to leave him for that fortune-hunter
attache? That, if she understood her
mother-and of course she did-was all
that his opposition to Paul Despard
meant. And mamma trying to uphold
him, thinking more of title won by
some old robber, centuries since, than of
happiness to-day? She would let them
know she was not to be driven like kittle
cattle. She should think, at any rate.
that ones mother would sympathize with
youth, and hope, and-she turned and
looked calmly and gravely at Despard,
waiting and surveying her, and the color
flashed all over her face, and the tears
were ready to sparkle on the tips of her
long lashes, as she finished the sentence
in her mind-and love.
Are you going to stay here all day?"
she asked presently, without looking up.
Till have an answer To-
Your demand. Don't you think that
is rather an autocratical beginning?"
Low suing
May bring wooing
Into its own undong.'"
said Despard.
"Did [ understand" she said, de-
fnurely, then, ''that you demand Ishould
become your wife to-day? Won't to-
morrow do?'
81 was not bold enough to dream of
such rapturous possibility" he said.
"But l was unwise. Tomorrow will
not do. You remember the little brown
chapel, Rock Creek Church, out here a
mile or two? You shall give me your
answer there"
do you really think it will be best?'
she said. care you willing to take a
wife who, if Prince Vinca had positively
asked her first, might have been his wife
instead of yours?'
As for the remainder of the drive that
morning, from this delicious resting-spot
to the little brown chapel, where the min
lister happened to be at the door, with a
throng of pickaninnies at his heels, it
may be best for us to remember that
there are times and places where 1.-TWO
are company, and three are none"
So you see, after all, it was not Miss
Jessie that returned to the Brancepeth
mansion that evening, where guests
were assembled, dinner waiting her ar
rival, and her mother as vainlv endeav-
oring to conceal her anxiety as bird
that twitters on the stem when her nest
lings are threatened. Mrs. Brancepeth
felt, and by no means vaguely, that some
thing was on hand, but what she knew
not, although her keen woman's wit
gave her suspicious and hopes; Jessie
not yet returned, but gone all day; Paul
Despard not yet arrived, but invited to
dinner; Mr. Brancepeth still detained in
his private room downstairs by caller,
Prince Vinca, as Durkee whispered to
her; dinner spelling, and Mrs. Brance-
peth hot with rage in the background;
and possibly the Prince Dersuading her
husband to his wishes, as expressed in
that mornings note! 1t was while she
was in the worst of her worrying, smiling
now at the secretary's jests, and trying
not to smile at foreign Minister'S En-
glish, that the daughter of the house was
letting herself in, and with Paul Despard
beside her, was tapping at her father S
door. He opened it himself, looking
flushed and angry.
Papa" she said, II can't waste any
time, you know, because I'm afraid din
ner's waiting, and you ought to be up
stairs, too, you neglectful man! Now,
papa, dear, | knew you never would
give your consent, and so | have taken
it without asking, and you must forgive
me and welcome me back, and him
too, - said the GREATNESS young woman,
'for don't see why you shouldn't love
me just as much as ever, just because he
loves me, too"
"Jessie What in the world are you
talking about? Why should | forgive
you? What have you done?" cried her
bewildered father.
40. have married Paul Despard this
morningn'
"Well!' he said. Then suddenly,
with total change of expression: you
have saved me great deal of trouble.
Here are dinner and dozen guests
waiting, and | have been writhing my
way like a bookworm through the his
tory and genealogy of the Vinca family
since the days of the Pelasgi, and afraid
of an Aretine dagger if | refused their
alliance. Prince" he said, turning on
his guest behind the screen, whatever
my own wishes might have been in the
matter of which we have been speaking,
circumstances have given you your
answer. Permit me to present Mr. Paul
Despard, my son-in-law. | trust this
turn of affairs may not deprive us of the
pleasure of your friendship. Good
evening-good evening"
He has ordered the man to drive to
G Street." cried Jessie, in moment
after the door slammed. Il knew he
would. That Palmer GIRLS Well,
she's welcome, and dare say he will be
when he arrives ...
MRS. Despard," said her father, ''you
must 60 to dinner as you are. | don't
know what your mother will say. As
well as | could make out this morning
she was so bent on your marrying this
princeling that for my part am glad to
be let off with Despard It's all highly
improper, though, JESSIE" he said, try
inc to subdue too broad a smile
Improper and unfilial and-and expen-
sive; for if only had another daughter
| should" .-,
Z" Cut me off with a shillingP You
know better, papa. You know l am
your only darling, and all of mine is