Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-01-05
Paid to be an Old Maid.

Mamma passed her soft, small
hand over my disordered hair.
"What is the matter, child ?" she
asked.
ST think it is the picture. / can
not look at it without envying Lau-
ra Desmond.
"But why? You surely do not
envy Laura her appearance.
''But / do, mother. I 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 brunettes ?"
"Don't quote Theo. Rounsaville
to me,' / said shortly. "Who cares
for his opinion P"
Now, the truth was did care for
his opinion, and cared for it 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 accom-
plished bachelor in the neighbor
hood. But / had affected to be in
different to him until he had trans
ferred his attendance elsewhere.
"But we were talking of Laura
| said. "She has luxury and l am
so DEPENDENT
"You know, my dear,n said my
mother, in grave voice, Uncle
Adams house is yours as long as you
choose to remain here / do not
wish to have you marry my daugh
ter, except for love-"
"Fiddlesticks," said I inelegantly
~ tell you, nine women out of ten
marry for homes or for fear of being
old maids. I believe Uncle Adam is
misery. If he would die and leave
me legacy ,or leave me few thous-
ands, would live single all the days
of my life"
A door opened and Uncle Adam
walked into the room. Uncle Adam
was rather an old gentleman, hut al
ways 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. ]
am sorry you think me such a great
miser."
"Oh, UNCLE" 1 pleaded, "please
forgive me. don't mean that at
all. Pm out of spirits, and that
makes me unjust"
well, never mind," said Uncle
Adam, bustling around and taking
a seat. Come here, Miss Ada,
Suppose l bride you to be an old
maid, eh ? 1 will settle $4,000 on
you now, on condition you will live
and die Ada Lyons, spinister!"
''If you will forgive and forget all
my ugly speeches, UNCLE" said I
"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 con-
sideration. See here, Ada, L II give you
till to night to think about it, and
don't be rash. In order to escape
being miser l will bride heavily"
and uncle Adam marched out of the
room.
''Ada, come here" said mother,
almost in a whisper. "Look out;
isn't that Thee. Rounsaville ?"
An open landau, drawn by two
superb horses in gold harness had
just driven up the avenue.
she has come to take you a drive
with him. said mother; $50 it looks
at least !"
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 babe
me goodbye at the door and went
down the avenue.
swell, Ada ?" was mammals in
quiry.
"All's we'll, mamma" 1 answered
laughing and blushing.
"You will be a portionless bride,
remember, my darling"
do you think Uncle Adam meant
all that ?"
dumped up. liam going now"
I said