Milford chronicle., 1885-08-14
"a new dressI No, Avis Dilworth,


thing for you to come asking for buds,
missr'
'But, aunt" returned Avis, plead
ingly, 81 haven't anything fit to wear
to church"
"Oh, indeed So you go to church
to show your clothes. hey2 You bet
ter stay at home if that's what you go
fur. An when 1 marry old Hartletop
why he couldn't have had decent
name don't see-you won't be no
better off than you are now, if he Is
rich. shil be as savin' of his money
as kin, so when he dies I'll have
something fur myself. An now go
long an milk that COW; she's been a.
bawlin' this half-hour."
The poor major, half-stupefed by
this astonishing revelation, stumbled
off the steps and got out of the gate
he scarcely knew how.
And now here was predicament !
How was he to marry such IA vira-
90? he reasoned, hopping his head
with huge red handkerchief. And
vet. how was he to get out of marry
ing her, if she chose to accept him9
He had serious doubts whether be-
ing called a "bald-headed scare-crow"
would exonerate man, in the eyes Of
the law and public opinion, in refus-
ing to fulfill his offer of marriage.
And yet, marry her he couldn't-he
wouldn't. Thus be assured himself
over and over again.
Miss Angerona, meanwhile, proceed
ed to write her letter, accepting Major
Hartletop's proposal Having writ
ten it, she laid it on a corner Of the
table to dry, and with compressed lips
and a look of determination in her
cold, gray eyes, she drew another let
ter from her pocket, and opening 1t,
read:
oMY DEAR AVIS: I have called
twice to see you, but your aunt refus-
ed me admittance to the house. I am
therefore compelled TO write what 1
had meant to tell you personally. You
must know already that 1 love you,
Avis, and 1 want you for my wife.
Will you marry me2 Please answer
as soon as possible, as I shall be in
great suspense until I hear from you.
Yours forever, RICHMOND ALDER."
"Hum p mpttered Miss Angerona,
with a smile of grim satisfaction.
ats well I didn't give her the letter.
shan't allow her to marry very soon.
She's too much help to me. I couldn't
get nobody to take her place an do all
she does fur love nor money. And
now fur your answer, Mr. Richmond
Alder"
And taking up her pen, she wrote.
slowly and carefully:
81 have received your letter, and
my answer is No. can never marry
you. A. DILWoRTA'
"ThaFn settle him." she decided.
can faint no forgery, either, SEEM
"a stands for Angerona as we'll as
Avis"
And inclosing the two letters in
envelopes, she directed them, slipped
them in her pocket, and carried them
to the post Office herself.
'Now I know they're safe," she
commented, with sigh of relief, as
she retraced her steps toward home.
= = = + +
Major Hartletop had passed a
wretched night. According to his own
statement, he had not slept wink.
When Jake soper, the hired hand,
brought in the mornings mail, as
usual. he felt a nervous Jingle down
to his finger-ends.
With quaking hand he opened
Miss Angerona's letter, and, much to
his relief, read:
~ have received your letter, and my
answer is No. can never marry
you. A. DILwoRTH.
To say the major was delighted
would hardly express his feelings. he
almost felt as if he could forgive Miss
Angerona for calling him a "bald-
headed soare-crow," in consideration
of her having refused him.
Tucking the letter in his pocket, he
went whistling about the house, like
a school-boy.
After dinner, he saddled his riding
mare and rode down to the village, to
see a trader about buying some of his
fat cattle for beef.
Tying his mag" under a shady tree,
he proceeded toward the village store,
and met Miss Angerona face to face.
She simpered, smiled and tried to
blush. The major bowed coldly and
] passed. on.
Astonished and chagrined, Miss
Angerona detained him, and demand
ed the cause of such behavior.
"What behaviorY' asked the major,
coldly.
"To pass me without speaking, when
when we are engaged to be married."
"Engagedp cried the major. "Why,
you have refused mel"
Il didn't; accepted your contra
dicted the lady, fatty.
81 have your refusal in black and
white; here it isP' he retorted.
And taking crumpled note from
his pocket, he read It out to her.