The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-01-07

world and promised TO inv and make her fnture M
happy one: and as while speaktng NV ewes restet
on the four Guns md snncers the cream ING and i
two dishes, no doubt pleaded with show OF feryo
which must have considerably puzzled the good lady
Like sensible woman she expressed the greatest rs
constituent.
80 let mo understand Won clearly, she said
| DO You mean TO say You arc In lsye with mcy'
' viii mako Won a good husband / repIled
thinking as / spoke how wea"tifuiiy moieled ia,
handle " the croan-lug was, and I am SIRE yo,
! VIII never regret accepting my Offer
e But do YOU really lovo me- shs persisted Al
old woman as am 9''
! - Seventeen hundred and sixty said mentally
that must he about tho date II was madc;' and thor
I answered, looking at the four cups aud saucers
esteem aud respect YOU highly, dear Miss Crorton,
| and am sure Won will make solitary home cheer.
/ ful.'
'' suppose, said Miss Crofton acutey, 1 were
| to take tho poker and demolIsh that china would
you stil repeat these atteriup assurances Of nec.
! tiOnY'
horrors Of my dream came back to me
t'Mr Headiey, she said gravely, YOU will mar
don me saying so, but sometimes fear YOU are moi
quite right In the head Isthere any insanity In youi
| family -
- None 1T all. | replIed,
ttt Neither yonr father nor mother NOR anv aunt
nor uncle shown any tendency that wayY'
a. Not the slightest
90 Very we'll; you had better 20 home now and
think quietly over what Won have said 10 me- II TO-
morrow you wish to repeat your words YOU will find
me at home all the afternoon
so,t ,,n, e,' au u.s. s,eppeu outcongu"'eu my
80 What fool 1 am y I said. Il shall always
esteen that woman for not taking advantage OF me.
viii write and beg her pardon for my silly conduct
trust she win sim continue my friend And vet
In spite Of these praseworthy resolutions the sight of
tho vacant spaces sent all my good sense 10 The Winds
and to shorten the tale, went deliberately the next
afternoon to Shepherds Bush. renewed my Offer and
left the house formally betrothed so Miss Lesbia
CrOftOn. She ut least, behaved In q very sensible
manner.
&C. You say You wish to marry me, she said, 'and
am getting on In years now so cannot In. Justice TO
myself refuse such an offer, | have Inquired about
you, aud every one who knows you speaks In your
favor stlll, you may regret your choice, so you
shall have plenty OF time for consideration We VIII
not be married for six months at least
" Although, after taking the first plunge should
have been glad to 20 TO the depths of INV folly win
out delay, felt the wisdom OF her words aud ac-
quesced In this arrangement OF course with the ew
understanding between us. saw both her and the
china nearly every days and as Miss Crufton was an
extremely nice woman, may say grew quite to love
her-as amother-and had Fate not interposed should
doubtless have married her at the expiration of the
time she named, and very probably should have been
happy enough after fashion. one thing was very
much to my Lesbla's credit; she INDUCED In rap
lures, nor did she expect any from me. when we
met parted, imprinted Kiss upon her forehead,
aud that ALL She even intefdicted the use OF
Christian names between us, and stipulated that our
engagement should DO spoken OF to no one. Another
thing found strange was that she was continually
harping, III good tempered sort OF way upon the
the difference as little possible. In fact she seemed
to treat me more rs son than future husband.
80 Feelings of decaCy prevented me from asking
her to allow me to remove tho Chelsea to my house
before had paid the price due for 1t, and I quite
blushpd with shame when day she handed ths
key Of the cabinet aud with meaning smile begged
would take charge OF IL to Insure the safety OF the
ARTICLES so highly priced
''rhe course of our affection ran very smoothly for
about three months. / had quite recovered my
health, and may say placidiy happy. II, at
times while setting with my elderly bride elect and
hearing her. 1t me be. CON plain OF some ailment
which she candidly attributed to advancing years,
did feel a twinge OF regret, had but to turn to
the four cups ami saucers, the cream Jug and the
two dishes. and 1t vanished.
'But Fate and Miss Crofton had other views for
me, although little suspected them.
- According to custom, one afternoon | paid my
usual visit to my future spouse, and was surprised
as entered the house to hear the sound OF a piano
know something of music, so at once became aware
that the instrument played with great skill
aud much wondered who tile performer might be.
had not yet discovered that my Iesbia Possessed
musical talent. The maid opened the door
OF ihp drawing room, the music ceased and |
walked In aud found myself face to face with one OF
the lUveest girls had ever met Perhaps the sur
middle aged lady I expected to greet, made this
stranger look even more charming | could realize
only at first II bright young face, with masses of
light hair around 1t, turned 10 see who entered, and
we'll moulded figure, showing to great advantage as
she sat before the plano. Her dress was OF simple
black, hut well and becomlngly made, and AS She
rose when entered could see She was over middle
height.
- Women always behave with less awkwardness
than In chance meetings; so while stood stiil
stanimered some words OF apology, she advanced
with perfect ease, and said:
"'Mr Headiey, am sure! My aunt told me to
expect you She has gone out FOR u short time, but
hODed YOU would walt until her return
- only pleased to accept the Invitation so
frankly given and recovering my self possession In
few minutes was In full swing of chat with my
I.esbla's niece.
90 found her an unaffected girl full OF spIrIts
and LOOKING forward to the pleasures OF a stay in
town ' "
81 suppose you viii stay some time - | asked.
Your presence will quite brighten Miss Crofton's
house.
49, shall stay as long AS ever my aunt will Keep
me, she replied. Isn't she a dear old soul Mr.
Iieadley?'
81 WINGED, and began to re ilge that my situation
was painful one.
90 She is so antiquaed, she continued, and yet
so romantic In many things.
90 felt more foolish than ever and for the sake of
saying something, remarked:
a. Il wonder she did not tell me You were coming
l suppose she meant to surprise me-.
- suppose so. But assure YOU she has talked
to a great deal about you Mr.. iIeadiey. Yon APP
pear to be great friends. Quitea Irritation tell her
81 cOloTed up to my ears, but managed to say:
a. 'Then l conclude her report OF me has been
favorable
81 shan't betray her confidence, Mr.. Headey;
prefer to form my own opinions
"As felt we were getting on delicate ground,
begged her 10 resume the music my coming had cut
shot.
,she PLAYED piece of Chopin's with great feeling
OF ballads Her voice sweet aud well trained
altogether she was a very charming niece to- be.
DO you play or sing p she asked '''N'
a. Neither, unfortunately. am only an indGer-
ent critic, who understands music only enough to
praise when pleased.
a collector
land as she spoke II struck it me that this was the
first time had ever been inside this room, and for
gotten to look and assure myself of the safety and
we'll being of the cups saucers and dishes
"And, as the thought of the china brought other
thoughts In Its train felt would give great deal
know whether Miss Crofton had told her niece
everything. Feryenty | hoped that she had not
done so, as knew lntu!tiyeIy should cut "A sorry
figure I'm a Young girl ewes
"During my meditation Lesbia returned and in
stead of appearing Jealous and ANNOYED at the captn
understanding between the fair niece and future
uncle smiled and said:
- Shall | Introduce you yonng people or have
you dispensed with that ceremony p
80 Your niece has the advantage of me In knowing
my name, | replied.
80 Mr.. Robert IIeadey let me present Won IN Mise
Ethel Crofton, my favorite niece said Lesbia with
:" After that unnecessary ceremony shall 90 and
dress for dinner, said Miss Ethel Croiton
al 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
day, found that semi maternal affection scarcely
satisfying enough, and could not help thinking my
future bride looked very aged.
Robert she said-it was, believe, the first
time she had used my christian name-'I should
lhuch prefer that Ethel should hear nothing OF our
engagement Ut present. She is young aud glddy, and
might not look upon II In the right light
81 promised secrecy with "A Joy could scarcely
conceal. AT any rate Ethel knew nothing about It
as yet.
dined that evening with the ladies. Miss Crofton
dd the honofs ~ dress OF such antiquated design
and material that Ethel openly rallied her upon II.
she herself was beautiful In pale blue silk and was
HlNNa HAM. .al..l..