Middletown transcript., 1882-02-10
A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT.
HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

When Mary Clarimont's engagement
was proclaimed to the world, there was
a general expression of surprise.
People generally are surprised at
matrimonial engagements. There is
always some cogent reason why things
should have been adjusted otherwise
why John should have married Joan,
and Peter should prefer Betsey. No
body ever yet was married to suit every
body.
But in Mary Clarimont's case it did
really seem as if the course Of true love
had interferred seriously with the cur
rent of common sense and prudence.
Miss Clarimont was only one and
twenty, a tall, imperial beauty with
dewy black eyes, skin as fresh as dam
ask roses, and dark brown hair coiled
in shining bands at the back Of her
head. Moreover, Miss Clarimont had
" career" before her. She had just
graduated from Medfield Medical Uni
versity, and taken out her diploma as
an NJ. d.
g And only to think of it, y said Aunt
10, bursting into tears Of vexation and
disappointment "that she must need
go and ruin all her prospects by getting
engaged to Harry NARROW, down in
New York"
1T does seem strange, Aunt 10,
when l sit down and think of it." said
Doctor Mary, blushing and laughing.
" Six months ago my profession was all
the world to me. 1 neither cared for
nor wished for anything outside Of its
limits. The future was all mapped out
before me, without let or hindrance !;
and now
/" EEHn2Pl =, egsEEee4pflled gEEee4pflled Amt JJe ssAny
brainless idiot can get married, and
keep mans house and mend his shirts
for him, but you were made for some
thing higher and more dignifed,
Mary"
Mary's dew-bright eyes sparkled.
" Higher, Aunt 10 20 said she.
" More dignifed ? There you are mis-
taken. There is no higher or more
dignified lot in life than that Of the
true loving wife Of a noble husband" "
" Fiddlesticks y said Aunt 10. GAS
if every poor fool who was dazzled by
the glitter Of a wedding ring didn't say
the same thing You've disappointed
me, Mary Clarimont, and I'm ashamed
Of you, and that's the long and short Of
it !''
Mary smiled.
" Dear Aunt 10, said she, 81 shall
not let my sword and shield rust, be-
lieve me. Harry has his own talents
to advance him in the world, and it
VIII be at least year before we are
ready to marry. In the meantime, 1 |
shall accept the post Of visiting physi-
clan to the Aldenbury Almshouse, and
practice my profession in Aldenbury,
Just the same as if there were no en-
wish to goodness there wasn't
said Aunt 10. tell you what. Mary.
l don't fancy that smiling, smooth
tongued young man of yours, and l
never shaIl.''
Stlll Dr. Clarimont kept her temper.
am sorry, Aunt Jo," said she,
pleasantly. but 1 hope that you will
eventually change your mind"
" used to keep thread-and-needle
store when I was young woman, +" re-
marked Aunt 10, dryly, "and l could
always tell the ring of counterfeit half
dollar when customer laid it on the
| could then, and 1 can now
and | tell you what, there's base
metal about Harry Marlow -
Mary bit her lirs.
Perhaps We will not diseuss the
subject further, Aunt Jo,'' she said.
with quiet dignity, and the old lady
aid no more.
Aunt Jo is wrong y persisted the
pretty young M. d., to herself.
Mary is making fool of herself p,
hought Aunt 10.
Aldenbury was pretty manufactur-
ng village, with main street shaded
y umbrageous naples, g west end, ]
Vhere people who had made their for
unes lived comfortably in roomy old !
louses surrounded by velvet lawns and !
erraeed gardens, and an east end, f."