The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-06-25
The Family Black Sheep.

nal ancestor, sternly gazing down from
his superior height upon my petty five
feet two, "are to behave sensibly, if
possible. and consider yourself engag-
ed to Mr.. Comyn."
I feel myself sink-Gguratively
speaking away down to the lowest
depth of despair as papa goes on re-
flectively:
"Really, fine offer for you! You
have always been the black sheep of
the family, Freda and certainly do
not deserve such good fortune as to
marry a man worth cool million, who
is quite devoted to you. So take the
good the gods provide and make no
demur."
"a sacrifice to appease the wrath of
the gods," quote, demuredly. But
my heart is mutinous and rebellious to
the last degree.
Sister Rita and attended an arch
cry party at Mrs. Somers' lovely coun-
try home, and Mr.. Comyn, CHANGING to
be present, had fallen desperately in
love with mo. At least such is his
astonishing announcement in his letter
to my father, which has just been re-
ceived.
"Now, remember. Freda, no tricks
IT is my desire-my command-that
you accept Mr.. Comyn!'
"Oh, papa, don't make me say, Yes
nowl Do give me few days of gracel
Even the condemned criminal going to
the scaffold is allowed time for prepa-
radon"
Papa frowns severely.
"Freda!" His voice is very stern
and l tremble in my boots. "You un-
grateful child! DO you realize that it
Is all can do to keep up the family? ?"
feel small-awfully small-in COM
parison with that last adjective. Yet,
what connection my possible marriage
has with the payment of our bills. l
fail to see-unless papa is referring to
the expense of my keeping.
"oh, papa" cry piteously (Fred
says when 1 turn on the "water works"
there is no resisting me), do let me
support myself; can teach-I know !
cant l have never considered marri-
age. am young Rita is the oldest;
why can't he content himself with
Rlta?"
Yes, why can't he? She is decided
ly the prettiest-though, truth to tell,
we look wonderfully alike. We are
respectively II and 10, and look even
younger. Papa is frowning prodigi-
ously. see there is no use in remon-
strance-his mind is made up. A
millionaire in the family9 Papa puts
an end to the controversy at last by
quietly leaving the room. I sink down
upon the broad window seat and pre-
pare for good cry, when some one
pulls my hair emphatically. I'stile 9
yell and spring to my feet. Only Fred
An inspiration seizes me!
"Oh, Fred" l wall. piteously, "can't
you help me? You have influence
with papa-do beg him to give up this
horrible marriagep'
He is only Is and the pet of the fam
lily.
"Freda, don't be goose" he ejacu
lates at last. "Wish / had chance
to marry a girl as rich as Mr.. Comyn
I'd perpetrate matrimony if she was
as ugly as original sin, and my pet
aversion"
"Eu tn Br,ttew pout, indignant .
Fred laughs.
"Precisely. And. Freda, what d
you think? Rita is mad-oh, as
March hare, because Mr.. Comyn dit
cot propose to her. Funny, isn't il
that he didn't fall in love with her?'
81 wish he had" / cry; with m
whole heart / wish that he had! Blu
there's no such goo1 luck for me, Fred.
And 1 march away In high dudgeon
and, tying on my big sun-hat, fly dow
to the beach my usual place Of RET
uga. Hero my little boat Is mooret