The Press., 1883-05-31
is it true that you intend to wed with my

is it true that you intend to wed with my son?"
 A flush arose to Mays face, as she per ceiyed the covert insult, but she replied ]:
 "Mr. Howard Sheldon has asked me to be his wife. :, "And you, of course, consented, said Mrs. Sheldon, sneeringly.
 "Our marriage will take place Tn month
 "But YOU will reconsider, will you not, Miss Charming, when you learn that ms family have other views for him And that the idea of his marriage with you IS very obnoxious to us all. ssWhen Howard asks me to do so will take the matter into consideration. Par don me, Mrs. Sheldon, but l fail to see any good reason for your interference, said May, calmly, though her flushed cheeks betokened inward agitation.
 ssBut, girl, have told you that do not approve, and that you must give him up I can never give my consent to his mar riage with you. May rose to her feet. s'Mrs. Sheldon, do not wish to continue this conversation If you have anything further to say on the subject you will please say 1t to Howard.
 s'I have already spoken to him, but he ls perfectly infatuated and will not listen te reason. But you must see what an injury YOU are doing us all h perslstlng ln thb madness. for I can call it nothing else His sister is perfectly wretched, and de clares she shall be ashamed to appear II society at all. I cannot influence Howard but you are poor, and, if money IS any ob ioct, I will make it for your interest te s.se him up"
 Mays face was crimson, but she rose with the occasion. ''Mrs. Sheldon, /" she exclaimed, 'syour proposition is an insult I am not rich, but you have not money enough to tempt me to give Howard up. shall wed your son because love him, ano if he is content to take me without wealth his family can never separate us:
 ''You will repent this, girl. will pre- vent your marriage if have to shut How ard in a mad-house, which I more than half believe he is a proper subject for. ' And the baff1ed woman left the house with out even another glance in Mays direction. She was scarcely out of sight, however, before Mrs. Gray entered the room. That lady had been an interested listener to the conversation, a communicating door having been fortunately ajar, and was astonlshed no less at the malignity of the attack than at the success with which May had defend ed her position. Crossing to the sofa, on which May ha6 thrown herself, she folded the frail girl te her bosom, her own eyes filling with tears at the sight of Mays distress. May clune to her nervously, as she exclaimed:
 ''How could she be so cruel? Wha have I done that she should treat me SC unkindly? I can hardly believe tha dreadful woman can be Towards mother But you do not know what terrible thing she said, and I cannot tell you, wailee the unhappy girl.
 q do know, darling," said Mrs. Gray gently. ''You see the door is ajar, and was very proud of our little May for s' bravely defending her rights.
 ''Then did do right. You are sure was right, Mrs. Gray? for cannot giv Howard up, even for his mother"
 ''Nor need you. If Howard is satisfied I do not think any objection the lady ha brought forward worthy of notice. So dr. your eyes, pet, and go on with your prep arations, as though this very unpleasan scene had not occurred"
 May was only too willing to listen to he friends counsel. Though hours afterwart her flushed face and the strained expres sion of her eyes, which threatened every moment to fill with tears, showed that he sensitive nervous system had not fully re covered from the excitement of the inter view.