Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-08-22

the most terrible:
eyes, if mamma is willing"
In an instant | was shivering ViO-
Iently. Ask Mrs. Mayton's consent!
| had rather have proposed to half
the manageable ladies in New York!
Not that there was anything fright
full about Mrs. MaytOn: on the con-
trary, she was the representation OF
politeness, goodness, tact, kindness,
and all other virtues, as well as being
brilliant, witty, and despite her forty
years, extremely handsome. But
when she listened to one it was with
a look which plainly said: "No non
sense, now" When she found occa-
sion to use sarcasm, she was most UNI
mercifully sharp and bitter, and her
power of mimicry was such that she
could initiate to perfection every tone
of her miserable victim. To think
of facing her with any possible risk
of her disappearing of my suit was
simply dreadful.
The twilight had faded into dark
ness. OF course l hadn't a match
but Nellie insisted upon the gas being
lighted, and left the room for one.
Out of the darkness l conjured up
dreadful visions of Mrs. Mayton in
every pose and feature of disdain,
and, aside from any other cause, |
was thankful when the gentle step
and rustling dress of my darling an
nounced my darling's return. Tony
delight she didn't mention the gas,
but seated herself on the sofa beside
me. l stole my arm about her waist
and exclaimed:
"Nellie, | am not a coward, but
how can l ever ask your mothers
consent 2"
She made no reply.
"She is so terribly sarcastic-so cut
ting when she wishes to be-" con-
tinued.
"She certainly is" said Nellie.
$50 you-do you know what she
thinks of me"" / asked.
SWELL" drawled Nellie rather re.
luctantly, "the truth is, she thinks
you're gOose-she said so this very
day."
perhaps she will pity me a little
when she knows how l love you,'
said 1.
81 don't know" said Nellie dubi
ously. "She says she don't believe
you'll ever amount to anything, anC
she's sorry for the poor girl who il
taken in by you"
Cold drops of perspiratiOn stood OF
my brow.
"YOu shall be my wife despite any
thing she may think or say"
"Sh-h-hn whispered Nellie, as W,
heard footsteps near us-"perhap
that's mother now" ..
AS the unknown touched the chan
delier, l attempted to remove m,
arm from its resting place, but m.
darling, apparently determined
force an issue at once, and to uphol
me in my critical moment, caugh
my wrist tightly with ten soft bu
very strong little fingers. There wa
a his of gas, a flash, and as, with
desperate attempt at calmness,
| raised my head to meet my doom,
; saw under the chandelier, with
wonder struck countenance, Nelli
Mayton herself, whites peal of laugI
ter escaped from her mother, WI
l was tightly locked in my arms!.'
"What are you two people doing?
said Nellie, slowly recovering h,
senses.
u "Why," said Mrs. Mayton, wit
. an air Of self-forgetful resignation,
came into the parlor a moment az
y and took a seat on the sofa, in Il
= dark, and this impudent fellow
y am old enough to be his mother
" put his arm around me and wonder,
Z how he could ever ask my mother
consent. When your father propos
! he was thoughtful enough to ask n
3 consent first, but 1 suppose the fas
ion of cOurtship has changed sin
. then. 1t made my blood boil to he
your sanity grandma called mer
10 less, and sarcastic, and cutting, a
all sorts of dreadful things, but =
H. borne it meekly for your sake Nell
u that you might have a stepfatf
ie young and silly enough to SYM
II thize with you, and"
"He's my own lover" said Nell
u with a laugh and a blush, as S
IN boxed her mothers ears and hid h
CT self in my arms.
III Mrs. MaytOn gave us look