The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-03-12
miscellaneous.
A LUCKY ESCAPE.

Major Anthony Hartlelop, was very gOoC
match indeed, as Miss Angerona Dilwortl
and the gossips v>ry well knew.
| To be sure, he was rather bald and had {
wart on his nose but then, he was the owner
of many acres of rich land; lie possessed
herds of fat short horn cattle and flocks Of
long wooded Merino sheep he raised untold
quantities of amber cane 10 be made up into
sugar and was, all-told, the richest farmer
in the ntighborhood fSugar Maple village
A for Miss Angcrona, she was not very
young, but neither was she old. She was not
remarkably plain, nor could she be called
pretty. For The rest, she was rather sharp
! featured and very sharp-tongued, so the
neighbors declare, though the Major had not
discovered this fact,
Miss Dilworth was not benevolent per-
son, yet she had taken her orphan niece,
Avis, to raise.
Avis Dilworth was hearty, merry girl in
spite of her aunt's grabbed temper, with a
round face, deep dimples in her checks, a
pair OF laughing grayblue eyes, and plenty
of life and vim about her, though d"mure and
quiet as Il nun under Miss Angcronas sharp
eyes.
Indeed, many people asserted that if Avis
was only decenty dressed. and allowed the
advantages she deserved, she would be quite
a belle
But Miss Dilworths old garments, how
ever neatly made over, were not sufficient to
set of even good figure to much advantage
They were all that poor Avis was allowed,
however, and she sighed in vain over the
crisp new lawns, the sheer white musins, the
ttuted ruffies and fresh, plumed hats of her
more fortunate acquaintance.
AT last Major Hartletop had proposed to
Miss Angerona, in good, substantial, plain
ly addressed letter. and Miss Angerona had
determined to accept the proposal.
"If he is bald and ugly" she remarked
| to herself, "he is rich, and money covers a
multitude of bad looks Besides, it'll spite
| that stuck-up Wilder Fluke, that's been Il sci
| ting her cap at him this month or more; an
as long as she wants him I'd have him, if he
was bald as an egg, and ten times rs ugly MS
he ISL
But, in spite of his defects, Major Hartle-
top was good-hearted, and as romantic as
many man with glossy head Of hair and
wart on nose.
He Was really in love with Miss Angerona,
and after sending his proposal, the moment
seemed weighted with lead until he could re-
ceiyc her answer.
AT last his impaticnce grew unbearable.
81 won't wait any longer" he declared
"l'll just call around and get her answer
right away, or shan't sleep wink tonight,
know"
And popping his hat on his head he set off
on the winding, country road which led to
Miss Angeronas dwelling, his mind busy
with pleasant fancies of what the future
might have in store.
How nice it'll be to have my wife a setting
at the head Of the table. or stepping around
the house, overseein' the butter and cheese.
MAXIM" he unused.
AN that pretty Avis, too. She shall have
better clothes than she wears now. spose
Angerona can't afford to dress her any better :;
but I'll see to that. She shall have a white
dress, with lace flounces, and one o them
crmpy things girls weararound their necks,
TO stand up with us in
And so, his mind busy with cheerful pic.
lures of the happy future, he reached Miss
Angerona's house, assembled the steps, and
was about to knock on the open door, when
a shrill, high. pitched voice reached his ear
"A new dress No, Avis Dilworlh, you
can't have it A pretty question TO ask,
when I've got my own clothes to buy, if |
marry that bad-headed scare-crow, as s'pose
shall A fine thing for you to come asking
for duds miss "
But, aunt" returned Avis plcadingly 81
haven't got anything fit to wear to church"
"Oh, indeed So you go to church to show
your clothes, hey? You better stay at home,
if that's what you go fur. An when marry
old Hartletop-why he couldn't have had a
decent name don't see-yUu won't be better
off than you are now, if he is rich, | shall 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 a.
bawlin' this half hour"
The poor Major half stupefed by this
astonishing revelation, stumbled off the steps
and got out of the gate he scarcely knew
| how"
And now here was predlcameut How
was he to marry such "a virago? he rea-
soned, hopping his head with huge rcd
| handkerchief. And yet how was he to get
| out of marrying her if she chose to accept
| him?
He had serious doubts whether being call
| ed Il "bald.headed scare-crow" would exoner.
ate man, in the eyes of the law and public
opinion, in refusing to fulfill his offer of mar
| riage,
| Aud yet, marry her he couldn't-he
wouldn't. Thus he assured himself over and
| over again.
Miss Angerona, meanwhile, proceeded to
write her letter, accepting Major Hartletops
proposal Having written it, she laid it on
a corner Of the table to dry, and with com,
pressed lips and a look OF determination in
her cold, gray eyes, she drew another
letter from her pocket, and opening it, read
| any DEAR Miss have called twice to see
| you, but your aunt refused me admittance to the
house. am therefore compelled to write what
l had meant to tell you personally. You must
| know already that love you, Avis, and /
want you for my wife. Will you marry me
| Please answer me as soon as possible, as / shall
be in great suspense until l hear from you.
| Yours, forever,
| RICHMOND ALDER"
Hum p muttered Miss Angerona, with a
smile OF grim satisfaction. at is well didn't
give her the letter. | shan't allow her to
marry very soon. She's too much help to
me. | could not get nobody to take her place
and do all she does fur love nor money. And
now for your answer, Mr.. Richmond
Alder"
And taking up her pen, she wrote, slowly
and carefully: