St. Landry democrat., 1885-02-28
THE QUARREL.
The Mischief Done by an Envious
and Vindictive Woman.

In the town of Winchester two little
girls were born on the same hour of the
same day. They were carried about on
pillows by their nurses at the same time.
They were severally christened Rose
and Euphemia at the same font, and
uttered their infant walls in unison dur
ing the ceremony.
They played in the adjoining gardens
on the same pleasant summer after
moons as they grew older. They went
to the same school at the same time,
were confirmed on the same day, and.
finally, married in the same church, at
the same hour, by the same clergyman.
They were 1nseparable. Picnic vowed
to love Rose next to Edward, and Rose
vowed to love Picnic better than any
one but William.
They were young, very pretty, and
very happy; a pleasant sight TO all eyes
but those of certain Miss MerriVale,
who, having made marriage business
affair, and having failed to succeed
therein, hated all girls who married for
love, and, more especially, when they
also happened to marry rich men.
In this case, having angled in vain for
Edward Granger, his house, lands, car
rage and servants, and all the worldly
goods with which he would endow o
wife, she had seen him throw himself
away on little Picnic Moore, who had
refused him three times. She had also
done all that in her lay to secure the
affections of William Millet, who, If not
as rich as Granger, was what she called
a catch, and had the misery of seeing
Rose Gay quietly walk away with him
a chit of thing. as Miss Merrivale
said, with no style about her. And
they would ride in their carriages and
wear velvets and diamonds, while for
her nothing seemed left but little sta
toner, half q head shorter than herself,
who was the only man who had pro-
posed.
The little money she had lived on was
nearly gone. She was not so young as
she was. Perpetual, forced smiles had
creased wrinkles into her face. She
was tired Of angling without any nibble
worth having.
In fact, Miss Merrivale felt that it was
time to take thought for the future, and
do the best she could for herself, and,
like most women who have failed in
matrimonial ventures, had resolved to
marry if only to show that she could.
And Timothy had actually made an Of
fer No wonder that she hated the
brides; but it was not quite necessary
in that case to stmy love- and ''my
DEAR them quite so much, or to kiss
them quite so often; and she certainly
kissed Mrs. Granger oftener than she
kissed Mrs. Millet, though she hated
her the most.
s'You dear little thingr' said Miss
Merriyale, pecking Mrs. Granger
cheek in the dressing-room before the
church soeiable had fairly commenced.
CHOW, do like to see you in white!
said so to Mrs. Millet Glib the first), and
asked her why she did not wear it, and
she said she thought it was SO affected
for bride to 60 about in white-al
most indicate. =
s.Dear me!'' cried Mrs. Granger.
tsPhemie might have said that to me in.
stead of behind my back. Such ole
friends as we are!'
Eyes said Miss Merrivale. Eyes
and I was amazed at another remarh
she made, though I think it best not tc
mention it.
Il want to hear it, ;" said Rose, pout
ing. II suppose marriage has changed
Picnic, or she'd never say hatetu
things about me. :
ut generally does change people
SADLY said Miss Merrivale, with deeI
sigh. II refused several gentlemen be
cause of that very thought. What il j
should change me to my dear, dea1
friends? And though | know some on'
perfectly insane about me, | keep put
ting him of. But, dear Mrs. Granger
/ can't tell you this. declare it's to-
bad.
!. you must said Rose, her eye
.sWeT,1' said Miss Merrivale, ''iust t.
show you how decitful the world is, sht
said that she hoped no one ever SAT-
that she worked as hard to catch hus
band as you did to catch yours.
'.Phemie said that" cried Rose
s'when she knows what fib it is! IL
be sure, l didn't refuse him half dozei
times. Mr.. Granger wouldn't nav
borne such treatment, and don't 0e
lieve Phemie refused Mr.. Millet in a wa.
% make him think she meant it. Som
refusals only lead man on. | try +
catch husband! Well, declared