The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-05-20

ted . great tlunder. He had reurea
And nov time hung heavy on bis hands
and be knew not What 10 do With himself
So. for lack Of better occupation. be tool
10 calling on certain plump widow Of BIZ
acqusiniAncs. who hsd remarkably pret
ty daughter
Bessie Peploe was younger edition ol
her mother They bad the same black
eyes. rosy cheeks and vsvy hair. and
truth compels us to add, the same quick
temper
III never marry old Gray. Bessie told
Mrs. peploe. dehantly. after the manner
Of the young lady Who refused man be-
fore be faxed her," for Mr., Gray had not
yet proposed. although every levening he
presented himself At the widows dwelling.
snd sat by the nreside. in the most com
Portable chair in the room.
We shall see, returned the elderly lady.
aud her bright eyes flashed; for she had
set her mind upon the marrige and al
ready regarded Bessie as the mistress Of
Mr.. Gray's comfortable house in the high
street in the little town in which they re-
sided.
Yes. We shalt see, muttered Bessie, and
putting on her hat slipped ont to have .
walk with her admirer. Jack wilkins. to
whom she confded her trouble.
Jack was poor. and for that reason had
lrefrained from offering his hand to pretty
Bessie; hnt when she told him that old
Gray was after her he could no longer dis.
guise his feelings, and before they parted
the girl be loved had consented to be his
wife.
What will mother say3 thought Bessie
with sigh, Is they parted At the gate Of
Mrs. Peploes cottage. That horrid man
will be there.
That hcrrid man was there in an arm
chair opposite Mrs. Peploe.
He smiled at Bessie as she entered; but
Bessie frowned at him in return, and his
face fell. That evening the girl was alb
solutely sullen: she spoke in monosylla-
bles, and ill-temper deprived her pretty
face Of half its beauty.
| am afraid her mind is set against it,
Mr.. Gray told himself, with sigh, and
we might all be SO happy, if she could on
ly leok at the matter in q proper light;
but suppose its natural.
And he redoubled his efforts to be agree
able poor little mani for he had an afiec-
tionste heart. and his big house was dull
and lonely.
But Bessic's face never relaxed its set
expression. She hated the man, and
meant to lot him see il, in defiance Of her
mothers angry glances. What business
had man old enough to be her father TO
come counting herr
You have behaved disgrsceiully. her
mother said when Mr.. Gray had taken his
departure. II is so wicked to triAe with |
the love Of any man.
have never triHsd with his love, re.
torted her daughter; he must know that | |
hate him. have never, never attempted
to disguise III; now have /, mother?
You are fool, said her mother, blunt.
y. Mr.. Gray is the best chance you
have had, or will ever have, and insist on
your saying yes when be asks you to be
his wife.
Mother. cried Bessie, impulsively,
throwing her arms around her mothers
waist, hiding her face in her bosom. Moth
or. l have already said yes to somebody
else-somebody love dearly.
What gssped Mrs. Peploe, freeing her
self Of her daughters embrace, What!
II is true enough, said Bessie. in fall
tering voice. Jack has asked me to mar
~ him, and ! have said yes
Without consulting mel exclaimed her
nSsher angrily. boxing At her with stern,
rUproachfal face
I love him, retorted Bessie. He il the I
only man in the world could ever care
for.
Stuff and nonsensel cried Mrs. Pep
loe Even II liked the young man :
which l don't your marrying him would
bs ont Of the question. He can't afford to
keep you.
am not afraid Of poverty, said Bessie,
bravcly; besides, we are not going to mar,
~ in haste We can wait
Poor fool and Mrs. Peploe's lips curled.
/ know what this waiting means for the
woman. She goeS on trusting and believ.
ing 10 his promises, and then when her
beauty has faded, he turns round and
marries someone else.
Even then. said Bessie, the woman is
better of thaa il she had tied herself to ,
some one she could not love.
oh, yes, you are mad-quite mad, re-
turned Mrs. Peploe; but thank goodness,
you have mother who won't allow you
to make 40 idiot Of yourself. You will !
marry Mr.. Gray, and forget al abont that
misguided young man who onsht 10 be
ashsmed Of himseIf
What fort asked Bessie, with resent
ment Ii
For proposing to . girl whom he has
no means Of keeping in comfort. returned I
Mrs. Psploc. You ere pair Of lunasics; |
but. fortunately. I've some sense left, and
| won't stand By and see my daughter
ruined for life. II
And she aounced of TO bed without {
giving Bessie the usual good night kiss. +,
Poor girl, she missed Il screly. and sob
bed herself 70 sleep; but she meant 10 be
true 10 Jack all the same. Not even
her mothers anger could induce her |
to give him up aud consent to marry old !
Gray. Il
Ghe treated the object Of her disIiko !