The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-06-07
N1EHsORA.S MASQurERADE.

Medora Seetbough dropped the let
ter she was reading, and stared at her
mother and sisters in Supplied amaze
ment.
Ncighbor Stebbins, who had drop
pod in to borrow cup of "emptin's,"
opened hor eyes in wondering sympa-
thy.
"Left the hull on it to you, Medic
ry?" she questioned, half incredulous-
~.
Left the hull on it to Medory," put
in Mrs. Sweetbough, "pervided she
marries that there nephew of Aunt
Pollys first husband-Be n--Benoni
Goldacre."
"But l don't want to marry him."
pouted Medora, willfully, "and l
won'tw
"What on airthw cried her mother,
aghast, "throw away forchin like
that BE you out of your senses,
child?"
What hev you got agin him, any
way, Modory?' asked Ncighbor Steb-
bins, curiously. "Have you ever seed
him?'
"No; but I'm sure he's old and ug-
ly. He's got such u horrid name
Benoni! UGH"
"Why, la, that amt nothcn'. A
name wouldn't hender me, if twas
Beelzebubp declared the visitor, reas-
suringly.
But Medoro only shrugged her shout
ders.
Aunt Polly might hev remembered
there was others i'll the family besides
Medory," grumbled the elder sister,
Cerintha. at would hev done some
good if she had left some of her mon
ey to mel"
"Yes, but, Certify, you wouldn't let
Aunt Polly have any eggs to eat when
she come to see us" put in Tabitha
the youngest sister. "cause you said
they was Il shilling dozen, and you
wanted to sell EN- And Medory
gave her all her banty's eggs, and"
"Hold your tongue, miss, will your
ordered the older Miss Sweetbough
crustily. ~ didn't know she had {
hundred thousand dollars and bis
house in York State, did /? Aunt Pol
ly dressed like IL beggar, and let OF
she was as poor as church mouse
and she hadn't ought to expect to he'
expected any better treatment"
Medora persisted in her refusal t.
accept Mr.. Benoni Goldacre, much tt
her mothers vexation.
at won't do no harm to see him,
she declared "and mebbe he won't b'
SO humly, after all"
ale will know he willw asserted
Medora, obstinately. "But ] may a
well go and hear the will read, sein,
Lawyer Hegbee has sent me rounC
ticket: and then / can tell Mr. Beno
nj to his face that | won't MARI,
him."
"Yes, and lose the hull forchin!
groaned her mother. when, if you,
only wait, Medory, mebbe he NIGH
back out, and"
"And refuse me! Quite likely,
laughed Medora, casting satistie
glance at the reflection of her prett
face in the mirror.
And a very pretty face indeed, wit
amber-tinted curls and cheeks as pin
as half-blown moss-rose.
"But never mind. I'll wait an
give him chance, anyway. And
he don't refuse me, it won't be M
fault" she added to herself; for
bright thought had flashed into Inc
busy brain.
Why could she not disguise herse
in such a ludicrous way that Mr.. b,
noni Goldacre would be glad to refus
her.
"Aunt Polly set me the exampl
anyway" she thought to herself, COL
solingly, land may as well do lit
incorporating, too"
And much pleased with the though
of her intended deception, Medoi
hurried to her room, to pick out I'll
shabbiest dress she could find for III
disguise.
A cast-off" hair-switch" OF Cerntha
was also appropriated, with sundl
other articles.
On the appointed day, Lawyer Hi
bee performed the necessary introdu
ton between the prospective he'll
who stared at each other curiousl
Mr.. Goldacre beheld a dowdy-lookir
female, in n shabby dress Of bettl
green alpaca, with spectacles Of Il
same hue astride her nose and m,
of dull, brick-red hair, struggling fro
a tawdry gilt "tucking" comb, fell
an unsightly whisp over her soil
collar.
Heavens thought Mr.. Beno
Goldacre, 81 shall certainly decline.
On her part, notwithstanding h
already-formed opinion, Medora W