Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-13
"sDo you play or sing ? abe asked,


sic only enough to praise when pleased.
"Ah, forgot you are great china
collector
! "And as she spoke it struck me that this
was the first time / had ever been inside
this room and forgotten to look and assure
mysslf of the safety and we1l-being of the
cups, sancers, cream. jug and dishes.
| "And, as the thought of the china
| brought other thoughts in its train, felt
| that | would give great deal to know
whether Miss Crofton had told her niece
everything. Fervently hoped that she had
not done SO, as knew intuitively / should
cut sorry figure in a young girls eyes.
"During my meditation Lesbia returned,
and instead of appearing jealous and an
noyed at the capital understanding be.
tween the fair niece and future uncle,
smiled and said
'''Shall / introduce you young people,
or have you dispensed with that ceremony ?
"sYour niece has the advantage of me
in knowing my NAME replied.
60 Mr.. Robert Headley, let me present
you to Miss Ethel Croftop. my favorite
niece, said Lesbia, with the politeness of
| the old school.
"'After that unnecessary ceremony
shall go and dress for dinner, said Miss
Ethel Crofton.
SCI closed the door after her. and turned
| to greet her aunt with the accustomed
salute. Perhaps from the same reason
that the china had lost its charm to.
day, found that semi maternal affection
was scarcely satisfying enough, and could
not help thinking my future bride looked
very aged.
90 Robert, she said-it was, believe,
the first time she had used my Christian
name-'I should much prefer that Eshel
should hear nothing of our engagement at
present. she is young and giddy, and
might not look upon it IN the right light. ;
81 promised secrecy with JOY could
scarcely conceal. At any rate Ethel knew
nothing about it as yet.
81 dined that evening with the ladies.
Miss Crofton did the honors in dress of
such antiquated design and material that
Ethel openly rallied her upon it. She her.
self was beautiful in pale blue silk, and
was so struck by her fair, young, bright
face, her pleasant, natural manner, that be-
fore the evening was half spent l had
fully realized what an ass / had made OF
myself.
"My visits to Shepherds Bush for the
next few days were as frequent as the most
exacting fisncee could have expected; but
am afraid that had my Lssbia been of
jealous or suspicious nature she would not
have derived the pleasure from them she
appeared to feel. I sat no longer in the
chair commanding the best view of the
cabinet that enshrined the treasures for
which l contemplated sacrificing myself
and my affections. was ever by Ethel's
side at the piano, turning the leaves of
the music !; reading my fsvorite poems to
her holding her crewels, or winding wool
for her. Considering the tender relations
between Miss Crofton and myself, l must
pecting niece was disgraceful. Indeed, had
Lssba thought fit to pour storm Of re-
proach upon me, and order me to quit her
presence, she would have been fully justi-
fled. However, she did nothing of the
kind, butsat in herfavorite corner, knitting,
and apparently paying no attention to the
Irritation, or something more serious, which
was proceeding under her very eyes.
"Soon matters reached climax. l
could no longer deceive myself. was
hopelessly in love with Ethel Crofton, and
/ felt bound in honor to inform her aunt,
and to throw myself on the fair spinster's
mercy before l made the avowal of my
love to Ethel.
II found Lesbia alone one day, so took
the little key from my waistcoat pocket and
handed it to her.
"'And what is this for, Roberts? she
asked gravely.
SIN shame faced manner, said
"'I can't marry you'll love Ethel
"sOh, Robert Robert 7 said Miss Croft
ton, putting her handkerchief to her eyes /;
what can say to you? Only month ago
1 was indispensable to your future happi.
ness, and yet you forsake me for the first
young face you see ) and she appeared TO
sob bitterly.
"' It was the china, expostulated.
| as see and now you think you can
have Ethel and the china, too, and prefer
a young bride and old china to an old bride
| and old china. Faishless msn!'
:" lost my temper utterly, and / am
sorry TO say my politeness followed it.
"'Hang the china cried give me
Ethel, and che can smash it all if she likes.
l don't care
"Women, believe, under such circum-
stances as these, like to hear man swear.
1t shows he is in earnest. Any way, my
deposed bride leaned back in her chair and
laughed so heartily that / knew matters
would be soon arranged to my satisfaction.
In great delight / caught her in my arms,
and for once gave her kiss of real
affection.
"'Did you think was going to let you
marry me fer the sake of few cups and
saucers?' she cried. Il am not such a
stupid old woman as that. But in truth,
Robert, I have grown very fond Of you. so
if Ethel will have you, take her. But
only on conditions
exclaimed 'anything-sverything you
| wish
"' You must prove the earDestness of
your love for my darling girl, and the re-
covery from your insanity, by sending me
your Chelsea as 3 present. l shall then
give the whole set to the South Kensings
ton or Jermyn Street Museum
81 mustn't tell you all about our love-
making, or Mrs. Headley would never for
give me but Ethel and arranged matters
very quickly, and upon my return home
that evening opened my cabinet, and al
most without pang packed up my two
cups and saucers, teapot and sugar. basin,
in Gotten wool, and the next morning for
warded them to Miss Crofton. You have
seen Ethel, and dare say you think did
not make bad exchange"
81 should think not" said. "Rut
how comes the set in your cabinet now p
The old lady kept me in great suspense
all the time Ethel and were engaged, and
although | bid my feelings, began soon
to think that it would be very nice to have
Eshel and the china, but dared not hint
such a thing to Miss Crofton, who, more
over, teased me dreadfully by prsising in
EshePs presence my generosity in making
her SO beautiful present.
| While on our honeymoon, thought
no more of tin fact, gave it up for lost
and you may guess my joy when we re-
turned to town to see in my room strange
| cabinet with the set as YOU see IL now, So