The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1889-11-03


NA&" til so considered,
GFip may have remain
ed totally unappreciated. Could anything
be more depressing than the knowledge
that this latter condition must be endur-
ed with no other companion than ny
pochondriacal papa, whose ailings SO
monopolized his time and attention that
daughters happiness sunk into insig-
niiicance2 Little wonder that she should
melt into tears at so undesirable pros
pect; that she should pity herself and her
luckless fate, and that, when fully real
izing the depths Of loneliness into which
she was to be precipitated for five long,
weary months, she should jump at the
dismal conclusion that her doll was
stuffed with the most inferior variety of
sawdust, and wish with lachrynlose sin
cerity that she were dead and buried and
out of this world of sorrow. Papa might
then wish that he had been more consid-
crate. Perhaps; but at that particular
moment he was contemplatively assimi-
lating his fish, and that process admitted
of no consideration whatever beyond that
of the fish itself. So when his daughter
raised her fearful eyes to his saffron
cotntenance across the board she found
no signs in it of the sympathy she felt SO
much need of. What could she expect,
anyway DIR. Nevercure had been con-
suited, and this time felt that something
desperate must be done. His patient had
persistently refused to pronounce himself
in any degree benefited by the long course
of physic which he had prescribed, and,
in fact, had become an elephant upon his
professional hands; and thus, as last
rese TT, he had recommended an entire
change Of air and perfect quiet, with a
periodical harmless dose for the sake Of
appearances. Nevercure must be obeyed;
the patient himself, since it seemed to be
his delight to fancy himself an invalid,
must naturally be supposed to find a
pleasure In the remedies for his suffer
ings, and therefore evinced no regret
whatever at the leaden prospects, but,
on the contrary, made most exasper-
ating exhibition of sanity resignation,
very CALLING to the young lady. who
considered herself the only one really IN
juied.
"And when must we go?" she asked,
continuing series of questions which
her sudden burst Of tears had inter
rupted.
Friday morning." replied Mr.. More
ley CURLY.
"Friday morningl And this is Tues
day night Why. papa, p
mabel, said Friday morning. My
arrangements are made, and will not
hear another word about it"
And he didn't. Mabel left the table as
soon as decorum would permit. and be-
took, herself upstairs to her own sanctun
TO nurse her grief In solitude.
She sat long BY the open window,
ponderiog over her hapless lot, her chin
upon her hand. her dark eyes far away
in thought--sad thought, judging from
their expression the wind playing in
her light, wavy hair. her full red lips
parted slightly, showing the interest
which her theme awakened, and the
fresh bloom upon her cheeks now going,
now coming, following in some subtle
way the quick movements of her mind.
An hour slid by. and then she started
from her revery with sudden thought.
The sadness in her eyes gave way TO,
mirth and twinkle of fun; the color
came faster, the lips broke into a most
roguish smile.
''Pll do itF' she whispered. II willW
she added, with convincing emphasis
and countenance trimming over with
mischief ~
1T was foolish project--a most insane
and inexcusable one. 1t had, however,
the spice of romance, and it might afford
her some amusement and little excite
ment during the coming months OF
misery. 1t was suggested by some de-
mon of mischief, and was all the more,
coming from such source
1t came about naturally enough, too.
On the morning of that same day her
particular intimate, Anna Desbrough,
and she had fallen upon the college
catalogue which Annals brother Tom
had sent for to guide him in his prepare
tory studies. The names of the students
had proved Interesting reading matter,
and the two girls had specialized as to
the probable appearance of this one and
that, and had even gone SO far as to
select the one whom they thought they
would prefer among those mentioned.
They had INDUCED in vast deal of i'm
aginative nonsense, and had finally
thrown the book aside and returned to
more rational topics; but the recollection
of the mornings pastime had not quite
faded from Mabefs mind. The name
was still fresh in her memory Mortimer
Granville Dudley; how grandl how
musicall
81 will" she had exclaimed, with de-
termination; and, being young lady Of
her word, she hastily collected pen, ink
and paper to carry out her threat
"My DEAR Mr. DUDLEY" she wrote
(she had hesitated long between Mr..
Dudley and plain Mort" with the re-
suit shown), show long ago it seems
since those days when we were play
mates togetherl hardly think it prob
able, though. that you can have forgot
ten me, Ny position would certainly be
a very awkward one If you had. But,
remembering as do SO well those happy
times, and particularly your juvenile
VOWS Of constancy at The moment Of our
parting. l cannot believe that am mis-
aaken in trusting In their sincerity and