The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1888-01-21

| one lilu Il bright plquaIlI lace HSht-
ed by lustrous dark eyes, a sweet,
red mouth that looked as if it were
meant to be kissed, and flow of
dun-brown hair in which there was
no gleam OF gold. Clad simply in
some neutral tinted material that
fitted her slim shape to a nicely,
with knot of the lilies of the valley
clinging to her throat, she was not a
girl to pass by with a single glance.
One enjoyed looking at her even
though she said not word but
when she began to talk, and her
face lighted up, she was, for the time
being beautiful.
All sat there listening to Aunt
Mehitable She was speaking in a
calm, deliberate way, wholly unnat-
urll to her. 81 did not send for
you, girls, without reason ] hint
ed it in my letter. Let me be more
explicit. In my younger days I
was engaged to Hugh Winters. For
some reason, it is unnecessary to
stare what, the match was broken
Off Hugh married some one else.
\ son was given them. On the
broad face of the earth there is not
a creature that the old maid loves as
she does him. wish him to inher-
it my property. expect him here
tonight. Now, as he must marry
some day, ] would rather that he
be married to a niece of mine than
to a stranger There's no necessity
to beat about the bush the one he
falls in love with will be rich mans
wife. Rachel, y with piercing
glance at the girl who sat toying
with the pendants to her bracelet,
care you prepared to he his wife
should he desire it p
There was a hush in the room.
The lilac outside swayed its branch
es across the window, whispering an
unintelligible tale; the black shad-
ows ofnight fell over the cottage and
ran silently athwart the face of the
earth. All awaited her answer.
In Il clear, unembarrassed voice,
not only distinctly audible to the
three women within, but to the
young man without, who, with va
lise in hand, had halted meath the
nodding lilacs plumes to take
peep in the sitting-room ere enter
ing, she said
'1'm perfectly willing, aunt. I've
seen the gentleman's photograph,
and his face suits me. Yes, if he
proposes l shall accept him. I will
be his wife"
The words, so unblushinglydeliv-
cred, caused surprise to all. They
were not prepared, even Aunt Me-
hitable, for so forward a reply. She
merely said "You have spoken to
the point, Rachel. You are girl
of sense Celia, what do you say ?
Are you ready to accede to my pro-
position and become, if you have
the chance, Guy Winters wife?'
Again came an instantaneous res
ponse: "Ay, verify, aunt; and as he
is man of sense, you say, with
beauty add brains and prospective
riches, ! shall not sit with folded
hands, passive, and allow Rachel to
ensnare him in the meshes of the
net she proposes to weave, but shall
earnestly strive to win him, If
Rachel has beauty, have what is
infinitely better--a well balanced
mind. If he passes me by and
takes her, he is a fool =
The man crouching at the foot of
the lilac dropped his valise in con-
sternation. Was he to become the
prey of one Of these bold-faced wo-
mon Was his fate to he thus
summarily disposed OF, and he to
have no choice in the matter ?
What reply would the third one
make ? Somehow he was anxious
to hear it,
She sat there Il bit apart from the
rest, with dropping head and down.
cast eyes. the roses coming and
going in her cheeks, girl with the
grace and beauty, of woodland
flower.
When the question was presented
her, she raised her small head proud
ly and Indignantly said Il decline
the honor. | shall not enter the
lists again my cousins. The beauty
Of one, the superior mind of the
other ought to be attractions enough
for one gentleman. am too insig-
nificant blossom for him to pluck;
and, if even | should find favor in
his eyes, | would never marry
man purposely to win his fortune.
He must be sadly in want OF spirit