Connecticut western news., 1885-08-12

to buy, if I marry that bald-headed scare crow, as s'pose shill A fine thing for you to come asking for duds, missr'
 "But, aunt" returned Avis, plead ingly, "I haven't anything it to wear to church"
 "Oh, indeed So you go to church to show your clothes. heyp You bet ter stay at home if that's what you go fur. An when marry old Hartletop why he couldn't have had Q decent name I don't see-you won't be no better off than you are now, if he ts rich. I shill 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 g. bawlin' this half-hour."
 The poor major, half-stupeaed by this astonishing revelation, stumbled of the steps and got out of the gate he scarcely knew how.
 And now here was predicament How was he to marry such a-a vira- goP he reasoned, mopping his head with huge red handkerchief. And yet. how was he to get out of marry ing her, if she chose to accept himp
 He had serious doubts whether be- ing called "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 look of determination in her cold, gray eyes, she drew another let ter from her pocket, and opening it, read:
 MY DEAR Avs: have called twice to see you, but your aunt refus- ed me admittance to the house. am therefore compelled to write what I had meant to tell you personally. You must know already that love you, Avis, and want you for my wife. Will you marry mep Please answer as soon as possible, as. shall be in great suspense until I hear from you. Yours forever, RICHMOND ALDER"
 "HumP muttered Miss Angerona, with smile of grim satisfaction. "It's well didn't give her the letter. I shan't allow her to marry very soon. She's too much help to me. ! couldn't get nobody to take her place an do all she does fur love nor money. And now fur your answer, MT. Richmond Alden"
 And taking up her pen, she wrote. slowly and carefully:
 q have received your letter, and my answer is No. l can never marry you. A. DnwoRTH"
 "That'll settle him." she decided. "An' 'tain't no forgery, either, seein' "A stands for Angerona as well 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 g wretched night. According to his owr statement. he had not slept wink.
 When Jake Soper, the hired hand brought in the mornings mall, as usual. he felt nervous jingle dowr to his finger-ends.
 With a quaking hand he opened Miss Angerona's letter, and, much tc his relief, read:
 "I have received your letter, and my answer is No. I can never marry you. A. D1LwoRTH."
 To say the major was delighted would hardly express his feelings. H' almost felt as if he could forgive Mis- Angerona for calling him a "bald headed soare-crow," in consideration of her having refused him. Tucking the letter in his pocket, h. went whistling about the house, Hk, a school-boy.
 After dinner, he saddled his riding mare and rode down to the village, t. see trader about buying some of hi fat cattle for beef Tying his mag" under shady tree r he proceeded toward the village store B and met Miss Angerona face to face
 She simpered, smiled and tried t @ blush. The major bowed coldly an passed on.
 Astonished and chagrined, Nils : Angerona detained him, and demand 1 ed the cause of such behavior.
 "What behaviour asked the majol g coldly. .-. r "To pass me without speaking, whe i, when we are engaged to be marriedl @ "Engagedr' cried the major. "Why
 you have refused mel" q q didn't; accepted youP contrs q dicted the lady, fatly. f q have your refusal in black an