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

holding her crewels, or winding wool for
her. Considering the tender relations be-
tween Miss Crofton and myself I must
own that my behavior toward her unsus
pecting niece was disgraceful. Indeed,
had Lesbia thought fit to pour storm of
reproach upon me, and order me to quit
her presence, she would have been fully
justified. However, she did nothing of
the kind, but sat in her favorite corner,
knitting, and apparently paying no atten-
ton to the Irritation, or something more
serious, which was proceeding under her
"Soon matters reached a climax. I
could no longer deceive myself. was
hopelessly in love with Ethel Crofton, and
felt bound in honor to inform her aunt,
and to throw myself on the fair spinster's
mercy before made the avowal of my love
to Ethel
81 found Lesbia alone one day, so took
the little key from my waistcoat pocket and
handed it to her.
"'And what is this for Robert? she ask
ed gravely.
"In shame-faced manner [ said:
cannot marry you-I love Ethel
"'Oh, Robert said Miss Crof-
ton, putting her handkerchief to her eyes;
what can say toyou? Only mguth ago
was indispensable to your happiness; and
yet you forsake me for the first young face
you see; and she appeared to sob bitterly.
1T was the china, expostulated.
Il see; and now Jeu think you can
have Ethel and the china too, and prefer
young bride and old china to an old
bride and old chinas Faithless mani
Il lost my temper utterly, and [ am
sorry to say my polite ssss. followed it
"FHang the china cried; give me
Ethel, and she cans smash it all if She likes
/. don't care.
women, | believe, under such circum+
stances as these, like to hear man swear.
1t shows he is in earnest. Any way, my
deposed bride leaned back in her chair and
laughed so heartily that [ knew matters
would be soon arranged to my satisfaction.
In great delight caught her in my arms,
and for once gave her a kiss of real affec-
tion
"'Did you think [ was going to let you
marry me for the sake of few cups and
saucers {? she cried, 4 am not such a stupid
old woman as that. But in truth, Robert,
l have grown very fond of you, SO if Ethel
will have you, take her. But only on con-
ditions.
Name them, dear Miss Crofton [
exclaimed; anything everything you wish
"'You must prove the earnestness of
your love for my darling girl, and the re-
covery from your insanity, by sending me
your Chelsea as a present. | shall then
give the whole set to the South Kensington
or Jermyn Street Museum
~ mustn't tell you all about our love-
making, or Mrs. Headley would never for
give me; but Ethel and l arranged matters
very quickly, and upon my return home
that evening l opened my cabinet, and al
most without pang packed up my two
cups and saucers, teapot, and sugar basin,
in cotton wool, and the next morning for
warded them to Miss Crofton. You have
seen Ethel, and l dare say you think did
not make bad exchange"
II should think not, / said. "But
how comes the set in your cabinet now ?"
"The old lady kept me in great suspense
all the time Ethel and were engaged, and
although l hid my feelings, l began soon
to think that il would be very nice to have
Ethel and the china, but l dared not hint
such thing to Miss Crofton, who, more
over, teased me dreadfully by praising in
Ethels presence my generosity in making
her so beautiful present.
awhile on our honeymoon, l thought
no more of tin fact, gave it up for lost;
and you may guess my joy when we re-
turned to town to see in my room strange
cabinet with the set as you see it now. So
l got good wife and completed the ser
vice as we'll
Just then the door opened, and voice
said, with assumed petulance:
care you gentlemen never coming ?
Aunt Lesbia is upstairs, Robert, and wishes
to see you before her carriage fetches her. :"
oLet us go up, Burke" said Headley
''and if you want any more particulars Of
my Chelsea mania, Miss Crofton will give
them to you"