The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-02-09
A NARRAGANSETT IOYL.

dy balcony overlooking the sea. As he
eyes rested on a jurting rock she sav
someone taking observations. He pu
up an eye glass to assure himself that i
was indeed she; then clanihered owe
the intervening obstacle and hasteneC
toward her. She looked at first annoyed
then smiled at the intruder. He ais,
smiled and displayed handsome teett
quite at variance with his advanced
years. His features were regular, hi
gray haIr was cut as short as possible
and he had distinguished air. How
fortunate am Really, had no idea
when s,rayed out this afternoon, tina
anything so pleasant was to befal me
This was rather hypocritical, as he haC
strayed out, as he had called it, for III,
very purpose of this encounter. The
lady smiled graciously. Mrs. Page hi
exclaimed suddenly, permit me to re-
sumo the conversation interrupted sc
unhappily the other evening.
All, Mr. Lee. with a deprecating air
why not contine ourselves to ordinary
tOpIcs2 | am so eager to retain your
friendship. that | have not the courage
to oppose; yet
She had ch rming, pretty, graceful
ways. not wholly free from coQuetry
She glanced at him shyly, and bIushed
little.
And yet-he repeated eagerly; WhaI
does yet imply
prefer friends to lovers, she answer
ed quite decidedly.
But, my dear Mrs. Page, the world i;
censoriOus, and will not permit friend
ship between men and women.
His NNyu "a In "a : Fragtir Mira
Page looked out on the sea, then up al
her companion. If could only be your
daughter, she whispered softly.
That's an awful hit at my years, and
ought TO be excessively angry, My rea
daughter might not like it. you know.
How would she like your having a
young wife? Tell me frankly, Mr.. Lee,
what would your children say to such
an arrangement?
Frankly. think they will not like il
ut all; but shall reason calmly and di-
plomaticalh with them, and very soon
they will be as much in love with you
as am.
Mrs. Page had mocking incredulou'
air?
| shall say to them. Although the day
| marry her propose to settle million
on my future wife
Oh, Mr. Lee her face crimsOned-
how can you propose to-to-bribe me
in that open wayr
By no manner of means. This is whaI
| am to say to my children; l am not
saying it to you only rehcarsing, Thi:
million which settle on the charming
person who cOndescends 10 become my
wife | should otherwise give to hOspi-
tai; therefore how does it affect you my
dears? Only give me permission to make
the announcement, and all difficulties
will be removed.
Mrs. Page looked distressed and per-
picked. How can l endure four enc
mics in my own household?
You will have one friend | am sure,
among them. There is my son William
a magnificent fellow-noble, good, SUI
perior. William, you and | against Ger
trude, Archie and Jack; we certainly
can hold our own,
Mrs. Page with downcast eyes had
passed through every phase of blushine
and agitation while he spoke. Mr., Lee
marked these signs and took courage
My dear, can you not comfort me lit
tie
There are so many objections ! SHE
sighed.
Name them. he exclaimed eagerly.
Your money and the disparity in Oul
years, almost in whisper. Dear Mr.
Lee, let me say no.
| can't consent to anything of tbs
kind. am perfectly willing that my
65 years-I am really 70-should offse
with money your
Thirty, she replied.
There was brief silence. Mr.. Lee
was evidently taking counsel with him
self. Mrs. Page, am gong to confidt
in you. have had very unhappy life
although the world considers me for
tunate man. My wife was great in
valid. indulged her in every possible
way; but all that made existence wortl
having was sacrificed in the effort. The
natural affection which one would have
supposed she would have had for hei
children seemed eXtinguished by hel
maladles, and they and were really
victims. | have had no life for 40 year!
either literary, social or religious. She
positively did not ike me to go church
| now intend to enjoy the brief remain
der of life left me. How could | enrich
and adorn my life more effectually thar
by begging you to share it with mt? and
he put forth manly, sunburnt hand tC
seize her little white palm, when there
was a scrambling of ponies around the
the house. a clatter of many feet on the
piazza, and shrieks of Cousin Alice
where are YOU ?-Oh, Mr.. Lee is thai
you cried Peggy the head romp. How
glad am now we can have our cham
| ,,iAy, If 70 nina nFnnlIspH
the other day. Come Alice.
And Mrs. Page, with great relief, fol-
lowed her discomfitted admirer to the
bowling alley,
The scene changes to MIR. Lees coun-
try house Mrs. Grant his daughter, q
pretty blonde with fastidious disdain-
full air. enters the breakfast room attireC
in an exquisite white morning dress and
enveloped in a fleecy shawl. There is q
lovely picture through the open window
Of smooth lawn skirted by magnificent
old trees. Delicious odors greet her from
the flowers on the breakfast table. She
seats herself, fills the dainties of china
cups with tea, takes piece of toast anC
opens her letters. As she reads her Ian
guild affections leave her, an angry husf
arises on her cheeks, her eyes dllate. anC
evidently too dscomposed to continue
her slight rPpast, she exclaims impa-
tiently, Where are Mr.. Archie and all OF
them Say that l want to see them i'm
mediately of great import
ance-n the library.
Mrs. Grant sank into an arm chair IL
the cool shaded room, and Archie, Jack
silly her husband "a fresh English look
ing youth, came lounging in.
What is it, Gerty cried Archie.
Shut the door; you will not laugh
when you hear the news.
They clustered about her; her hus-
band presented her CALAMITY with &
bunch Of violets.
Oh, what nonsense. HarTy-I viii
take them thocgh, catching them hasti-
ly and putting them in her belt-wher
a sword is suspended over our heads
Papa is going to be married
Archie tumbled off his chair in a very
boisterous manner; Jack started up witt
smothered, angry exclamation; anC
her husband looked cTestfallen,
How do you know Has he written
exclaimed Archie.
Nina Montgomery is staying in the
very house with papa's lnamoraty. III
read you her letter
write in the greatest hurry to tel
you, that unless you can prevent it.youI
father will be married TO a fascinating
intriguing kind of cousin of mine, who
is doing all in her power to make hin
and every one else in love with her.
She is widow and fatally, danger
ousIy charming. She has light hyze
eyes, wonderful hair, and exquisite
u,bita skin and whether she walks on