The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-06-15
MATRIMONIAL BOOM.


ii
Il seems olily II uay Or Two sence the
young ladies there como here, am it's
oeen Ine happiest time the Springs hez
seen since ! bnowed them, some five year
or more. The Springs is likely place
an risin'. It's goin ter be big town
some o. these days. We are goin' ter
have railroad, jest as soon as the Pass
is surveyed; and we're buildin' two new
quartz mills an well have branch OF
the Prescott bank here by next fall"
'sIndeed, said the widow with show
of interest.
YES" continued the major, his elo.
"a railroad an bank. Then, if we
only had ladies like you and your daugh-
tiers come over once in while, we'd
soon have a dry goods emporium, too"
Mrs Browning laughed. It was a lit
tie CHEEKY laugh, and the major felt inn
PEELED to join in it. It was evident, Jack
thought, that the two were becoming ac-
quainted. So there was little need to APP
prehend the maternal rebukep in that
| quarter, at least
''Mr. Browning" said the major, catch
ing his eye, s'your mother says as how
she intends to take the two young ladies
home almost right off. I've been a-tryin'
ter persuade her to stop here awhile an
git acquainted
Jack smiled. 81 imagine the girls will
like to be consulted about it, he said
quietly. "They may want to stay lit
tie, mother, and you might talk it over
with them"
Indeed" said the widow, promptly.
81 shall do no such thing. I have made
up my mind tostake them home. They
must have been dreadfully in the way,
major" she added, apoIogetically.
Bless their heartsw said the major,
rising. In the way? In Jonas Blacks
way, ye mean? Why, mum, if had
the choice I'd have 'em stay in the way
right along, an yourself, too, beggin' yer
pardon for sayin' it. Seems ter me that
the Springs would never be itself again
after they left. There isn't man in the
settlement as wouldn't work his thumb
nails off to please EN-, do believe"
'sYou are very Lind-all of you, said
the widow, including Whipple and Lis
penard in her glance across the room;
''but l think it is perhaps better that
they should go back. You see our friends
expect us and
''But, mamma" broke in Mile, ssyou
might wait little
Eyes" said En-. 'You see, mamma,
we want"
The widow looked puzzled. Here was
mystery under her very eyes. Here
was some secret, she felt certain. It
vexed her more than she cared to show
that her own children should oppose her
in this matter. Her pride came to the
rescue.
very well. We can do all the sight
seeing necessary between now and the
next stage day, believe"
Perhaps said Cy Whipple. rising,
and Juggling at his long mustache vigor-
ously, sit would be better to be plain
and end all misunderstanding. The truth
is, Mrs. Browning, we have come to the
conclusion that your daughter Miles
presence here is absolutely necessary to
the successful development of the Shag-
gy Peak mine, of which / am superin-
tendent. / have spoken to the young
lady on the subject, and we have ar
ranged, provided you are entirely agree
able and do not withhold your approval
of the plan, to enter into a permanent
partnership In other words; madam, /
have asked your daughter to be my wife.
am aware that the conventional meth
DDS in such matters are somewhat differ
ent from those that prevail here; but /
assure you that had it been possible /
would have spoken to you about it
sooner"
The widow was astounded. She sank
back in her chair and spoke not a word.
Lispenard, who had till now been sitting
quietly at some distance with EN-, look
ing out of the window, next faced her.
''Well," he began, in his easy drawl,
Soy has broken the ice and / might as
well plunge in, too. My dear Mrs.
Browning, have been talking matters
over with Miss Emmeline, and we have
agreed that Bedrock Springs is, as the
major puts it, a very likely place and fit
to live in. It hasn't any palatial resi-
dences yet; but they'll come by and by.
En- thinks so well of the prospect here
that she has told me she is willing to try
it, and I think we can both make sue
cess in building up the future metropolis
of the little Colorado, if you will kindly
acquiesce. It's great convenience hav-
ing you here, dear Mrs Browning. as
otherwise Whipple and would have had
to shut down the mine and come on to
San Francisco to obtain your consent and
blessing"
And the widow saw, as in dream,
the two fair girls standing before her,
each holding the hand Of her betrothed.
1t flashed across her mind that it was all
horribly romantic and unwise. 1t was
filial rebellion which she was powerless
to suppress, however; and as she realized
her own utter helplessness she found it,
impossible to restrain the tears that now
found free course down her cheeks. She
rose, but had to grasp Der chair for sup
port.
Every well. see how it all is; 1 UNI
derstand it all now. Ny daughters, who
never once in their whole lives before
gave me a moments pain, have taken
their own way, and cannot prevent it,
if would. l only wish you may be
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