The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-09-02

ne trying 70 Duy Iuc Will IL, 1oI ue
goes on to state he's loved me since
he first knew me almost, and although
! he's seventeen, he knows his own
mind, and hopes | do fancy him just
little No, | don't, and no l won't,
| never intend to marry, and 1 don't
see why I'm bothered so, or what peo-
pie see in me to love.
OF course he thought his fine watch
! would coax me into saying eyes" but
he'll see I'm not to be bought. [ have
great deal of Arches perverseness,
and if person seeks to drives me to
do thing, I'm not to be driven.
While I'm dressing Mary, the maid,
brings in another package, and smiles
very meaningly, as she says, "Mr.
Conrad sent it.
/ wait until she gets out to open it,
behold in purple velvet case, nest
ling SO comfortably, flashes a hand
some diamond ring, with card at
tached, as king me to wear it as an
engagement ring from Conrad, with
not two words, besides his name, SPELL
ed correctly.
Not yet sixteen, Qacking week.
and three lovers already; when Pm
old as Belle, l reckon [ can go ahead
of her, if they keep on this fast, but
one thing, I'll never firt, not with a
poor simpleton, and a school-boy
surely.
am out of sorts when 1 go down
stairs. Even if girl isn't especially
fond of jewelry, she doesn't want to
give up watch and diamond ring,
both in one day, and of course I can't
keep either under the circumstances.
Breakfast is late, and I saunter
around alone for some time Pay
Belle a visit to see her presents, also
Jessie, find them both raving.
Belle also has pair of bracelets
like mine from Miss Rebecca, and a
necklace from Mrs. Maitland. A pref
ty jewelry-stand from Jessie and
handsome perfumery-case from Mr.
Morton.
tell her about mine, except Leon
ards and Conrad's ; she'd be in for
my keeping both.
Finally I'm tired of strolling aim
lessly around, SO | sit down in the
comfortable parlor, and gaze out at
the raw, chilly, wintry day, thinking
absolutely Of nothing. In my pocket
is Conrad's diamond ring. Presently
he enters, and seeing me alone, rushes
most lover-like up to me, expecting,
no doubt, to embrace me, for | don't
suppose the thought ever entered his
empty head, that any one would ever
reject his we'll filled pocket-book But
before he gets near me, | Jump up
and move away He can tell all is
not right, and looks as if he might
cry, then he says you've seen mama,
and shes worked on you to give me
up, but don't you mind her, I've got
heaps Of money beside Uncle's, and
you can have everything you want.
| look little surprised as / an
swer, it doesn't need your mother to
make me refuse you. like you, but
don't love you, and your money can't
buy that you know, and [ hand him
his costly ring.
He looks actually petrifed. l reck-
on the idea of my loving, or not low
ing him, had never entered his poor
benighted mind His money has al
ways brought him what he wanted
before this, so like spoilt child as he
is, ne bursts out crying for toy he
can't get. He no doubt feels its un-
manly to do so, for he leaves the room
and says he must arrange his toilet
for breakfast He bess NE to try and
love him, and to keep the ring, but
I'm very positive, so looks sighted,
bows and leaves.
He's hardly out Of sight, when the
rustling of silk announces his superb
Ma, as she's the only one who honors
every occasion with a silk dress. In.
she sails, majestically clad, small
fortune in jewelry alone.
$50 glad to have a private chat
with you, DEAR" is her greeting to me.
She seems nervous, and furried, as
she continues, 1--we just sent to your
room to request it, She always
seemed cold and worldly to me, but
never as much 50 as to-day when
she kisses me, feel like an iceburg
had touched and chilled
She dives into tn subject at once,
and says, It's about Conrad" as Pm
aware she wants to SPEAK. let her go
on, without interrupt III, until she
has informed ms, that Is impossible
for Conrad to marry anyone, except a
cousin, 70 whom he's been betrothed
since early childhood, and which en-
gagement, if he fails to fulfil, will de
prive him Of large inheritance, left
by an uncle, on that condition, that
the whole woa!4. 60 70 both if they
married, otherwise they forfeited all
but small portion" (of course she
intimated he had plenty without it,
but Il dying mans wish was inspera-
tive She was kind enough to say
that she recognized in me good girl,
one sufficiently unselfish TO make,