The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-11-28
PAID TO BE AN OLD MAID.

sat down on the velvet cushion at
mammals feet, rumpling her snowy white
wrapper in the attempt to put my head
in her lap.
Mamma passed her soft, small hand
over my disordered hair. "What is the
matter, my child?" she asked.
81 think it is this picture. / can't
look at it without envying Laura Des-
mond."
But whyl You surely do not envy
Laura her appearance.
. But do, mother. don't like to be
called dark and piquAnt want to be
fair, and calm, and quiet"
Why, Ada, | am amazed. Don't YOU
know that certain gentleman admires
brunettes2"
Don't quote Theo. Rounsaville to
me" said shortly. "Who cares for
his opinion2'
Now, the truth was did care for his
opinion, and cared for it a great deal too
much. At one time he had been very
attentive to me, and he was not only the
handsomest and wealthiest, but also the
most accomplished bachelor in the neigh
borhood. But l had affected to be indif-
ferent to him until he had transferred his
attentions elsewhere.
But we were talking of Laura, -" I
said. " She has every luxury and l am
so dependent"
You know, my dear" said her
mother, in grave voice. "that Uncle
Adams house is yours as long as you
choose to remain here. do not wish to
have you marry, my daughter, except for
love"
Fiddlesticks," said /, inelegantly.
81 tell you, nine women out of ten marry
for homes, or for fear of being old maids.
| believe Uncle Adam is miserly. If he
would die and leave me legacy, or leave
me few thousands, would live single
all the days of my life"
A door opened and Uncle Adam
walked into the room. Uncle Adam was
rather old gentleman, but always good
natured. l jumped up thoroughly
ashamed of myself. But he only said:
"Come, come, my little girl; this is
pretty hard on your old uncle. I'm sorry
you think me such miser."
"Oh, uncle, pleaded, "please for
give me. don't mean that at all. I'm
out of spirits, and that makes me un-
just"
Well, never mind" said Uncle
ADAM busting across the room and
taking a seat "Come here, Miss Ada
Suppose l bribe you to be an old maid.
eh9 will settle $40, 900 on you now,
on condition you live and die Ada Lyon,
spinster. There"
"If you will forgive and forget all my
ugly speeches, uncle" said /, "I'll agree
to the condition with pleasure"
Ada" said mother, family.
" Let her alone, Agnes; let her alone"
said Uncle Adam. "'She shall take the
matter into due consideration. See here,
Ada, I'll give you till tonight to think
about it. Don't be rash In order to
escape being miser I'll bribe heavily"
and Uncle Adam marched out of the
room.
Ada, come here" mother said al
most in whisper. "Look out; isn't
that Theo. Rounsaville ~
An open landau, drawn by two superb
horses in gold-mounted harness, had Just
been driven up the avenue.
He has come to ask you to drive
with him" said my mother; "at least
it looks SOP
What delightful day that was We
drove down to the beach. Then we
went round through the pine woods.
Then we came home with the sunset.
My accepted lover bade me goodbye at
the door and went down the avenue.
"Well, Ada ~ was mammals inquiry.
"Al's well, mamma" l answered,
laughing and blushing.
You will be portionless bride, re-
member, my darling"
" Do you think Uncle Adam meant all
that ~
I jumped up. 81 am going now," I
said
l laughed all the way down to the
study. Uncle Adam was busily writing.
"Take seat, take seat" he said,
without looking up. "Tll have every
thing ready in few minutes. What is
your conclusion z"
I'm sign it, uncle, but I'm afraid it
will make me very unhappy"
Why, Ada, l thought it was the very
thing to make you happy
Yes, Uncle Adam, " said, having re-
course to my handkerchief, "but then |
don't want to live SINGLE
"Oho~ said he. "You'vc changed
yOui luluu' lOu dou WANT lne
money!"
"Yes, do" exclaimed, with hys.
terical little sob. Il love him; but l
won't marry him without anything of my
own. Pm ashamed"
ada" he said, severely, "tell me
straight up and down-whom do you
lover
Mr.. Rounsaville," said /, solemnly
You arc a foolish child" " said Uncle
Adam, gently patting my head. 81
knew Rounsaville was coming to-day
If you marry Rounsayille I'll give you
$1,000
"Will you, uncle" 1 cried in ecstasy.
Don't cry any more, then, " he said,
almost tenderly. Z" Kiss me, my dear,
and go tell your mother
And Uncle Adam gave me, on my
wedding day, the ten-thousand-d dollar
check with which originally he had
brshoI mo 10 Bo ~, ,lI ,,,osI