Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-03-01

Iadvice seems TO meet with your ap
yourself.
"Then couldn't you 60 down-and-
and-state the facts Of the case to hero
inquired Mr.. Bassett desperately.
any dear uncle, I'll do anything
but marry her for YOU" laughed thu
young man.
Tall, straight, and handsome as Z
Greek God, Mr.. Bassett walked up the
box bordered garden path TO the many
gabled, wide verandaed house, where
Idwelt Miss Nettie Bernard.
Despite his courageous front, vari
GUS misgivings filled his breast, and
more than once lie wished his uncle
had chosen some other means of refusal
or that Miss Nettie had never proposed
"S0me girls will do anything, though
he soliloquized. ~ believe uncle said
she was prstty--no, interchangeable
is such doubtful praise. She may have
red hair and freckles-well, II she
hasn't a sharp voice, | guess ! can
stand the rest.
All hisdoubts regarding Miss Nettie' 9
comeliness we're suddenly put to an end
by his being ushered into the presence
Of the young lady herself.
She arose to meet him-a slender,
we'll rounded figure, clad in deep mourn
ing, with face as fair as o rose-arch,
dimpled, winsome and blushing charm.
ingly beneath the gaze OF admiration
bent upon her.
Fred began to dread his task more
than ever, but deeming 1t best to have
disagreeable ,hings over ~ soon az
possible be plunged al once into bust
ness.
My uncle received your letter, and
have called in obedience TO his wish
to tell you that he Is deeply sensible Of
the great honor you have paid him, but
that at his age he could not think Of
accepting your proposals. He hopes,
however, that you will always con-
slider him::your best friend, and"--Fred
was inwardly congratulatiug himself
on the ease with which he was getting
slong, and at this point had even ven-
tured to let his eyes meet hers, when
to his amazement he saw they were
full of tears, and in another instant the
pretty, dimpled face was hidden be-
hind her hands and Miss Nettie was
seated in the big rocking chair sobbing
bitterly.
"You may tell him don't want his
friendship" she cried between her
sobs. I" He has refused me kindness
which he could easily have granted.
And really did think that, for poor
papa's sake, he would have taken
me-"
Beauty in distress was more than
Fred's gallantry could coldly witness.
Basely deserving poor Mr.. Bassett's
cause, he went over at once to the other
side.
swell, l IN ust confess, think he is
an idiot, and has behaved abominably,"
he cried warmly. But pardon me,
If say think you are to be congratu-
lated on not being allowed to was Q
your youth and beauty as the wife Of
an old man like my uncle"
Down went the hands from the flush
ed, tear stained face; still were the
sobs and two eyes Of darkest blue,
with the tears still heavy on the long
lasles, stared at him In unfeigned
surprise.
"His wife," she repeated blankly.-
" What do you mean"
"There must be a mistake some
where" said Fred hurriedly. odd
you not send proposal of marriage to
my uncle. He firmly believes no, and
your letter, if you will remember, said
a leap year proposal. "
ooh, but of course did not mean that
kind of a p ~ ,sal; how could he mag
inc for all ant. should think Of
such thIn. wrote to him asking
to be allowed to live with him as his
daugh'"r + ward. thought l made
it qn',r plain never dreamed of his
puu w., such a construction as he did
on it And 80 he really believed pro-
posed to him, and sent you all the way
down here to refuse me, the idea !"
For second Fred thought she was
going TO cry again, but a sense Of the
ludicrous finally overpowered her,
and she burst into a peal of merry
laughter that Fred, despite his dis
comfiture, found 80 infectious he was
forced to join in.
After all, there is nothing like a
mutual sense of mirth and and a merry
laugh to promote friendship, and Fred
was soon on the best of terms with the
dimpled beauty.
When Mr.. Bassett was made aware
that Miss Nettie's proposal was not an
orthodox proposal after all, nothing
could exceed his modification, and
there is no knowing to what rash act h.
might have been driven, in his en-.
deavors to atone for his stupidity, had
not Fred gently limited that it was now
the sole object of his life to be per
mitted to care for Miss Nettie's welfare,
And it is safe to say he gained his
object. For a month later he held a
soft, white hand in his. and as ne slipped
a gemmed ring over the slim finger, hi
said:
"This is to prevent the necessity OF
making any more leap year proposals.