Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-07-20
THE BAXTER STREET LOVER.

on u DelIer MARRY Illli' IlI utdI'
said old Mrs Fielder.
Mrs. Fielder was darning stockings
by the light of kerosene lamp. Fan
ny, her plump, blue eyed niece, was
ripping up an old silk dress, to try and
modernize it after paper pattern,
borrowed from Squire Stapleton's
young wife.
"A great deal better went on the
old lady, threading her needle with
half yard of blue-mixed stocking
yarn. He's got a good property of
his own, and he's been dutiful son to
his mother, Till the old lady was buried
in Chestletan churchyard. a good
son makes good husband, and
don't believe you'll ever do better than
Hiram Archer"
There lots of others in the world,
said Fanny, tossing her head.
Yes, but they don come your way,
sagely responded the old lady.
That's just it," said Fanny, letting
her work drop in her lap. IF only
had chance! I'm not so bad-look-
ing, Aunt Zeruiah, and | don't see why
shouldn't be able to strike better
destiny for myself than to be Hiram
Archer's wife, and spend my days in
churning butter and raising poultry.
And Mrs. Stapleton is going to Long
Branch-and she has promised to take
me with her if only you'll consent.
Old Mrs. Fielder opened her eyes
wide behind the round, silver-bound
glasses of her spectacles.
And where do you s'pose the mon
ey's to come from?'' demanded she.
There's the hundred dollars Uncle
Jared left me.
But that was for your wedding out
fit when
"Oh, but Id a great deal rather use
it now, Aunt Zeruiah. Please. please
let me have it! may never have such
opportunity.
And what will Hiram say?' grave
ly demanded the old lady.
Fanny tossed her auburn ringlets.
He isn't my master yet, she said,
rather defiantly. And he may never
be- Oh, Aunt Zeruiah, | do believe it
would kill me TO be shut down for life
in this horrid, dull country place, like
a chicken in a coop"
Aunt Zeruiah looked keenly at her
is that the way you feel about your
old home, Fanny
Il can't help it, aunty."
well, perhaps you can't. Yet if
you are so set upon it you may go and
leave the old landmarks behind you,
soberly spoke Mrs. Fielder.
Yes, but | shall come back again
aunt, cried Fanny, a little startled by
the peculiar tone of her aunt's voice.
Maybe, but you'll never be the
same Fanny again
The little bushes brushed sepulchral
ly against the window panes-an owl
hooted in the distant woods, and Fan
ny involuntarily shuddered. Were
Aunt Fielder's words a prophecy?
But the next week she started for
Long Branch. with her old silk made
up and retrimmed and a new white
dress in her trunk, under the chaper-
onage of Squire Stapleton's pretty
young wife, who had been New York
girl before she came down TO live in
Glover Hollow.
Long Branch was very gay, and
Mrs. Stapleton net a circle of dashing
friends there-and before the
week end Fannie Fielding imagined
herself in Paradise
Il do really believe, Fanny said
Mrs. Stapleton, tanning herself as she
sat on the veranda in view of the
ocean, you've made a conquest
And Fanny herself believed it also.
Don Emilio Serey was dark-eyed,
swarthy compleXioned young man,
rather below than above the average
height, who wore diamond studs so
large as TO inspire doubt as TO the gen
uineness of their water In the minds
of good judges. and stiff waxed mus
tache, after the style Of Napoleon III.
He drove a fast horse, generally wore
a miniature bouquet in his button hole
and spoke with drawing accent.
which was music in the ears of sus-
young ladies.
He is from ST Domingo" said Fan
ny confidentially TO Mrs. Stapleton.
And he owns fourteen hundred acres
of sugar plantations and orange OF
chards there But the climate doesn't
agree with him in summer time"
My said Mrs. Stapleton. And
he really loves you?"
He says he shall commit suicide II
don't marry him. confessed Fanny,
smiling and blushing.
Fan, you're the luckiest girl ever
heard of, said Mrs. Stapleton. And
/ suppose you'll be married at Grace
Church and have your diamonds on
at Tiffany's and it'll be in
all the papers. Dear. dear, how
it will be.''
That days post brought letter
from Aunt Zeruiah Fielder Hiram
Archer had just completed the bargain