Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-10-04
FRANCES HALLIDAY.


enough for Elizabeth and Janet, anC
all such ornaments to their sex, 10 lay
his heart at my foolish little feet2
own that for day or two the honor
almost turned my head
Then | began to consider. ! had
loved Norman Strong ever since
could remember, and Norman had
been my friend when no one else said
a kind word TO me. The case stood
thus: ! was an orphan, left to the
care of an uncle and aunt remarkable
for that kind of propriety that wins
admiration and awakens our hearty
desire to get away from it. / had a
fortune of $25, 000-that is, | was TO
have it if | remained unmarried until
/ was 35, or if | married previously
with my uncle's approval.
Now uncle did not approve of Nor
Mn fact uncle never approved of
any one that liked But with Steph-
EN- Barker disapproval was out ofthe
question Stephen was the great man
and the good man of our small town
TO have insinuated that Stephen was
not worthy Of a saint, beauty and
an heiress united, would have been a
hercsy seriously affecting my uncle's
social and commercial standing.
Stephen Barker's offer was therefore
accepted and the next Sunday we
walked to church together.
After this public avowal of our in
tentlOns the marriage was considered
inevitable by every person but me. !
must do myself the justice to state that
/ never regarded my engagement with
Stephen seriously; it was a part of a
plan to secure my happiness and rights.
And as Stephen fully conceded in It /
do not expect censure from any one
else.
think it was no later than the
third night after Stephen had spoken
To my uncle that ! frankly told him /
thought ought not to marry him.
lie asked me why, and said: "All
my life long Stephen | have been
such a crushed, unhappy girl, have
been afraid to speak, or laugh or sing
and no one but Norman Strong ever
said kind word to me until you
came.
And you love Norman he asked
bluntly.
So / answered, eyes, ! love HIM,
and he loves me, and when he got the
position Of Cashier in your bank he !
wanted TO marry me; but uncle said /
we We're neither of as to be trusted /
with my $25, 900
80 you have $25, 000}'
Papa left me that much but Uncle /
Miles can keep it until lam 30, unless /
| marry to please him, or unless he is /
50 satisfied of my good sense that he
voluntarily gives it up to me. He will /
never do that,
Stephen was silent a long time, and |
then Ire said, little sadly: you |
are a good girl to be so honest with |
me If your uncle could be made to
give up your little fortune, do you !
think you could use it wisely3'
II could-with Norman to help
me.
Then we had a long conversation,
which it is not necessary for me To re
peat; it will be understood by what
follows. There was no change appar-
emily between Stephen and |. He be
haved exactly IS aloverof his age and
character would be likely to behave.
He sent aunt presents from his hot
houses and he made me presents of
pretty iewelry He spent the even
lngs at Uncle Miles house, and some
times we were left alone altogether,
and sometimes we went out for a walk.
Norman came 10 see us occasionally
ON Sunday night, and my aunt said
he had really behaved with more good
sense than she expected. think she
thought if l married the banker it
might not be a bad thing for my cous-
IN Malvina, who was very plain, to
marry the bankers Cashier
Everything went on with the great
est propriety. | had announced my
intention TO have an extraordinary
rousseau, and, this being point on
which aunt could feel with me, the
next four months We're pleasantly
spent in shopping and sewing. Never
in our little town had there been such
dozens of elegantly trimmed under
garments, such lingerie, such hosiery.
such morning dresses and evening
costumes, such wonderful boots and
slippers and jewelry We held little
receptions every afternoon a month
before the wedding, and my wardrobe
was laid out in the best bedroom for
comment and inspection.
II was about this time that Stephen
Barker said to uncle i understand
Frances has $25, 600. l wish to have
it so settled ON herself, and for her alb
solute use, that l propose, Mr. Miles,
you are willing, to add $4,000 TO
1t, and buy for her the Stamford es-
tate. 1t is only three miles from here,
The house is a very fine one the land
excellent, and then, whatever changes
come, 1t secures her competency, for
as soon as the railway is finished il
will be worth double. What do YOU
say
Il think your offer extremely
generous, Mr. Barker. and of course.
for such a purpose, / am willing to
hand over To YOU at once Frances
fortune. The interest had been
applied 70 her own use always VIII
YOU look at the accounts.
Your word is sufficient, Mr.
Miles.