Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-11-15
FRANCES HALLIDAY.

Barker after me 1 never could find outs
but that is between themselves and is
none of my business. A man good
enough for Elizabeth and Janet, and all
such ornaments TO their sex, to lay his
heart ut my foolish feet! Town that for
n day or two the honor almost turned
my head.
Then began to consider had loved
Norman Strong ever since could re-
member, and Norman had been my
friend when no one else said kind
word TO me. The case stood thus: l.
was an orphan, left to the care OF an
uncle and aunt remarkable for that kind
of proprietv that wins our admiration
and awakens our hearty desire to get
away from it. | had n fortune of $25.-
OO0-that is, l was to have it il / re-
manned unmarried until / was 80, or if
married previously with my unclc's
approval.
Now uncle did not approve of Norman
in fact, uncle never approved OF anT
one that | liked. Bat with Stephen
Barker disapproval was out OF the qsDes-
ton. Stephen was the great man and
the good man of our small town. 10
nave insinuatcd that Stephen Was not
worthy of Il saint, beauty and an
hciress united, would have been heresy
seriously affecting my uncle social ana
commercial standing. Stephen Barker $
offer was therefore accepted and the
next Sunday we walked to church to-
gethcr.
After this public ayowal of our inten-
lions the marriage was considered lnev-
liable by every person but me. L must
do myself the Justice 10 state that l.
never regarded my engagement with
Stephen seriously; it was part OF d
plan TO secure my happiness and rights
And as Stephen fully conceded in 1t, l.
do not expect censure from any one
else.
think it was no later than the thru
night after Stephen had spoken to my
uncle that frankly told him thougbt
ought not to marry him. lie asked
me why, and said: "All my life long,
Stephen. | have been n crushed, I'M
happv girl, have been afraid to speak
or laugh, or sing, and no one but NOR
man Strong ever said n kind word &c
me until you came" 49,
"And YOU love Norman" he asked
bluntly.
So answered. "Yes, love him, anc
he loves me, and when he got the posi-
ton of Cashier in your bank he wanted
TO marry me; but uncle said we wer'
neither of us to be trusted with m.
S25. 900"
so you have S25. 0O0P" j..
sPapa left me that much; but Uncl
Miles can keep it until l am 80, unles
marry to please him, or unless he is S
satisfied with my good sense that h
voluntarily gives it up to me. He Wi
never do that"
Stephen was silent long time, an
then he said, little sadly "You are
rood girl to be so honest with me.
your uncle could be made to give u
your little fortune, do you think yo
could use it wisely?"
II could-with Norman to help me-.
Then we had long conversation
which it is not necessary for me to r
peat; it will be understood by what 10
lows. There was no change apparent
between Stephen and /. He behave
exactly rs lover of his age and cha
ac,er would be likely to behave. L
sent aunt presents from his dollhouse
and he made me presents of pretty je'
cry. He spent the evenings ut Unc
Miles house, and sometimes we we
left alone altogether, and sometimes
went out for q walk. Norman came
see us occasionally on Sunday nigf
and NV aunt said he had really behav
with more good sense than she expecte
I think she thought if 1 married I
banker it might not be very bad THU
for my cousin Malvina, who was We
plain, to marry the bankers cashier.
Everything went on with the create
propriety. [ had announced my int
lion 10 have an extraordinary troussea
and. this being point on which au
could feel with me, the next four mont
were pleasantly spent in shopping q
sewing. Never In our little town n
there been such dozens of elegant
trimmed under-garments. such linge'
such hosiery, such morning dresses
evening costumes, such wonderful 30
and slippers and jewclry. We held
ilc receptions every afternoon mo
before the wedding, and my wardr'
was laid out in the best bedroom
comment and inspection.
IL was about this time that Step
barker said to uncle: 81 upderst
Frances has $4,000. i wish to hay
so settled on herself, and for her nj
Lite use, that l propose, Mr.. Miles
YOU are willing, to add SIC, OO0to 1t
Inv for her the Stamford estate.
only three miles from here, the hous
very fine one. the land excellent, q