Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-11-13
and make him glad to go, that

And L can't think how to do 1t,
Betsy" said Elsie, land if you can you
must do it for me. While he stays you
must pretend that you are Miss Sea-
bright; you must wear my, clothes and
take all the airs you possibly can, and
SO that he'll have to refuse you-that is
me. you know. Be sharp as you can
with him, Betsy-never the least bit
kind or nice. You'll try, won't you,
Betsy ?''
Then the two girls left all other work
to examine Elsie's wardrobe, and soon
Betsy was dressed in the most elegant
attire.
"And l." said Elsie-''I will be your
poor companion, and you must call me
Miss Smith, and snub me and order me
about"
Thus it was all arranged when the lit
tie letter Elsie had SO long been ex-
pecting had arrived, and breaking its
would pay mis- respects to Miss Seabright
in the course of an hour.
How Miss Seabright laughed as she
sat waiting in the drawing-room, watch
ing Betsy sail up and down with all the
new assumption of dignity. Betsy,
with the most amiable intentions, would
have been sure of offending, but Betsy,
bent on being unpleasant, would be a
grand success.
Just then Betsy herself leaned from
the window.
''Oh, miss !" she cried, there's car
riage at the door, and there's gentle
man coming out of it. Bless us if that
is him don't wonder you want to be off
your match. Deary, on! Deary me !"
But before she could explain a serv-
ant had brought Elsie card bearing
the name of Harold Harrington, and as
she arose the most extraordinary figure
entered the room.
1t was very tall young man, between
whose shoulders, nevertheless, grew a
hump. He also, though he seemed to
move actively. enough, walked on
crutches.
On his head, from which he had re-
moved his cap, was black silk skull
cap, such as entirely bald old gentlemen
then wore.
His nose was certainly well shaped,
but it was much the color of red fam
mel, and about his throat was a muller.
This was Harold Harrington.
Elsie's surprise was 80 great that she
sank into chair and forgot to prompt
Betsy as she intended.
But Betsy needed no prompting.
She was not in the least embarrassed.
She advanced to meet Mr.. Harring-
ton with grin of supreme Incidence
upon her face, and burs1 into a loud
laugh.
"Well,' she said, "you are my young
man, are you? l must say, whoever
picked you out showed no mighty
great taste; 'twasn't for your beauty,
that's plain
mo, madam said the arrival, cit
was not for my beauty. Do | address
Miss Seabright ?'
"Why, who else should I be?" cried
Betsy. ''Twas not Tor your cleverness,
neither, you were chosen. But now
you've come, sit down. Been in the
wars, haven't you ?"
"My infirmities," sighed the young
man, "are the result of my recklessness
as boy. had most sly mpathizing let
ter from you upon the fall that broke
my limb. You remember 1t. You also
condoled with me upon the careless shot
which cost me my eye. though you did
not know how serious was the result"
cit was while I was on trip to
Switzerland that injured my back, and
while endeavoring to drink some boil
ing tea the housekeeper had left care
lessly on the table, | scalded all the
hair from my head This scar upon my
cheek is the result of having attempted
to shave myself with my poor fathers
razor. 1t was injudicious of him not to
tell you the result of my Injuries, but
now you see them for yourself, will
not 60 into further particulars. You re-
member all my accidents ?"
Eyes," said Betsy, land fine figure
of man they've made you; you'd do
to scare the crows from an orchard, [
must say; and you're sent to me, that l
might have my pick and offers to mar
ry. It's enough to make one die of
laughing"
"Then you refuse me? ?" said the
young man, eagerly.
"Oh, no,h said Betsy. ooh, no, I
don't. There's the fortune, you know.
Money is money, and even an object
like you is better than poverty. I'll
have you; though folks will laugh to see
us paired off together. One comfort,
though; so broken as you must be you
can't last long,"
"On the contrary, expect to live to
be &c." said the young man.
Expectations don't 60 for much,"
said Betsy. Look how the old folks
went"
eve were deprived OF their affections
signing. 'My father loved yours dear
ly, Miss Seabright."
''Folks take queer notions," said
Betsy. "Well, must say you are an
object. I can't help laughing whenever
| look at you"
1--WE shall have merry life togeth-
er," said Harold, ''if your disposition
continues"
"Oh, shan't see much of you," said
Betsy, II can promise you, alter the
ring is on. What possessed you to
smash yourself up so? But I shan't re-
fuse you. It's money makes the mare
go. says the old song"
''It may be-" said Harold. ''But let
the mare stand still for me, then. [
quite decline to fulfill the engagement.
So, madam, you have the fortune with
out any remembrance in the person.
"And good radiance of bad rubbage.
say l." cried Betsy. "There are better
fish in the sea than you or women
would be poorly off. You're going, eh !?
Well, the sooner the better. Miss
Smith, ring the bell.''
Elsie arose and touched the bell.
But now the deed was done and her
object attained, she felt dreadfully
ashamed of herself.