The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-11-14

would do more than any words of mine
She saw the plot at glance, and laughed
long and loud, saying, as her merriment
subsided
$50, Mr. Headley, this is the meaning
of your hospitality; you expect me to pay
for my dinner with the china :?
II protested it was only little hint to
show her how very anxious was to possess
the remainder of the set, and then | told
her seriously how necessary it was to my
happiness and peace of mind to see those
void spaces filled.
"No appeal of mine would soften her,
and the four cups and saucers, the cream
jug, and the two dishes, seemed as far
away as ever. At last she said decisively:
GAS you are so bent upon it, | will be-
queath the china to you
"'And I may have to wait twenty years
for it, I said sulkily, forgetting, in my
modification, not only politeness, but the
affection [ had expressed for my.new-found
relative
GA good deal longer, l hope, she re-
piled. But as you are so anxious, why
not pack up what you have and let me take
it back with me I? You can see it all in my
cabinet whenever you like; and dare say
it being there will give me the pleasure of
your Company more often.
HBut this plan did not suit me at all !;
and finding that my device had failed ut
terly [ was obliged to conduct my visitor
to her home in frame of mind not the
sweetest.
"a week went by; but, try how l would,
I could not get the cursed china out of my
head, or resign myself to the disappoint-
ment. [ found myself growing worse in
stead of better, and, as I fancied, my health
was beginning to suffer, [ determined to
run down to Brighton in the hope of dis
distraction. The weather was fine; | met
several pleasant friends there; and after a
day or two began to think that in time [
might conquer the absurd craving for what
could not be mine But even as | was
congratulating myself on the partial recov-
cry of my senses, l dreamed dream so
horrible, that I fell back into my former
unhealthy state of mind. I dreamed that
Miss Crofton' maid d-cheeked, rough
fingered lass-had broken two of the cups.
I saw her do it; and suffered agonies from
the sight also, to make matters worse, she
put the precious fragments (Which might
have been cemented) in her dust-pan, with
the intention of throwing them away. [
really think the greatest feeling of pleasure
had known for many days was to awake
and find it was only dream.
I hurried back to town the same day.
[ felt | could endure the uncertainty, the
anxiety, no longer; and that to obtain my
desire, any sacrifice could make must be
made; so-don't laugh too much-I was
resolved, upon my return, to ask Miss
Crofton to become Mrs. Headley; and then
upon the day of our marriage the severed
set would be reunited. True, she must be
somewhere about fifty, while 1 was just
thirty; but, from what | had seen of her,
[ believed she was very worthy woman;
and, any way, the china would be mine.
"You will scarcely credit it, but [ carri-
ed out my resolution. Two days later [
was at the fair spinster's side, beseeching
her to be my wife. [ could not bring my
self to profess sudden passion for her;
but [ told her | was tired of living alone,
and asked her to share my lot l said [
was well-to-do in the world, and promised
to try and make her future life happy
one; and as, while speaking my eyes rested
on the four cups and saucers, the cream
jug, and the two dishes, 1 no doubt pleaded
with show of fervor which must have
considerably puzzled the good lady. Like
sensible woman she expressed the great
est astonishment.
"'Let me understand you clearly, she
said. DO you mean to say you are in love
with me?'
"I will make you good husband
replied, thinking as I spoke how beautiful
" modelled the handle of the cream, jug
was; and | am sure you will never regret
accepting my offer
"'But do you really love me, she per
sisted-'an old woman as [ ann?
"sSeventeen hundred and sixty, | saiC
mentally, ''that must be about the date il
was made;' and then | answered, looking
at the four cups and saucers, and thinking
of the vacant spaces at home "I esteem
and respect you highly, dear Miss Crofton
and [ am sure you will make solitary
home cheerful
"'Suppose said Miss Crofton acutely
4 were to take the poker and demolisl
that china; would you still repeat thes'
hattering assurances of affection?'
"'Oh, please don't, I cried, starting VI
as the horrors of my dream came back tt
me.
"'Mr. Headley, she said gravely, 'yol
will pardon me saying so, but sometimes
fear you are not quite right in the head
Is there any insanity in your family?'
"None at ALL l replied,
Neither your father, nor mother, no
auv aunt nor uncle shown any tendenc,
that way?
"'Not the slightest.
every well; you had better go hom'
now, and think quietly over what you hav'
said to me. If tomorrow you wish to re
peat you words, you will find me at hom'
all the afternoon.
II left her, and as stepped out congrat
ulated myself that she had not accepted me
at once.
"sWhat fool | am said. Il shal
ALWAYS esteem that woman for not taking
advantage of me. [ will write and be:
her pardon for my silly conduct, and trus
she will still continue my friend, Anc
yet, in spite of these praiscworthy resOlu
tions, the sight of the vacant spaces sen
all my good sense to the winds; and, t
shorten the tale, l went deliberately tn
next afternoon to Shepherds Bush, renew
ed my offer, and left the house formal.
bctrothed to Miss Lesbia Crofton. She
at least behaved in very sensible manner.
"sYou say you wish to marry me, sh'
said and 1 am getting on in years now
so cannot, in justice to myself, refuse sucl
an offer. 1 have inquired about you, ant
every one who knows you speaks in you
favor. Still, you may regret your choice
so you shall have plenty of time for con
sideration. We will not be married for 81,
months at least.
"Although, after taking the first plung
should have been glad to go to the depth
of my folly without delay, / felt the wi:
dom of her words, and acquiesced in thi
arrangement. OF course, with the neN
understanding hetween us | saw both he