The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-02-05

Miss Mary ANN by a hurried ex-
PLANTATION Of her sisters absence
through indisposition. Mr.. Bliss ex-
pressed his regret at Miss McFarland's
illness, but did not seem particularly
Respondent at the prospect of an
hour with Miss Mary Ann. Some talk
followed about the last PRAYER meet
ing, in which Mr.. Bliss had taken
quite conspicuous part; the con-
dition OF the seminary; the weather,
which had been rather falling of late:
and other topics of like Importance.
Finally a pause of uncomfortable
length ensued. There seemed to be
nothing left to talk about. Mr.. Bliss
picked up his silk hat, which had been
carefully placed on the floor beside his
char, and quite as carefully smoothed
1t the wrong way with his finest hand
kerchief, drawn from the pocket of his
coat tails. The tatting became re-
factory, and at her Wits end for some
thing to say, Miss, Mary Ann broke
the pause usually filled by her sisters
conversation with the question: "Mr
Extraordinarily, Mr.. Bliss can Won
tell me how far it is between the mile
posts?" Immediately seeing her own
stupidity the poor little LADY, blushed
most ,becominglly, a thing unheard OF
since her schoolgirl days.
MIR. Bliss expressed his surprise on
~ by a cessation of the hat polishing,
though he looked at her and replied in
heavily Jocular way: II had always
supposed about mile, Miss Mary
Ann" This Benedict was not above
the f1attery of a woman's blush and
generally fiustered condition at find
ing herself alone with him. After
clearing his throat with a meaning
ahem! he sat very straight in his chair,
and in his exhorting tone of voice,
most impressive in weekly meeting, he
began: '"The scriptures teach us, Miss
Mary Ann, that man was not made
to live al one" Here he paused to
note the effect of his words upon the
lady opposite, who was recovering
from her embarrassment under the in
t1uence OF his solemn manner, then
proceeded: 'FOr some time have
thought seriously about this advice,
aud 1T has been borne in upon me that
am q black sheep in the Masters
told in my present lonely condition.
For many years your admirable
qualities have been before nv ewes.
Miss Mary Ann. My respect for them
ana you has grown every day, until
[ feel called upon to tell you of the
state Of my feelings, and ask you if
you are willing to be my companion
down the hill of life?" In the
depths OF the heart thus appealed to
had long been hidden that inexplica-
BILE emotion without which no wom-
ans life is fully rounded out, and this
emotion had been generated by the at
fractions of Elisha Bliss. This was
the crisis OF an unselfish life. Itmeant
protection and affection or entire re-
nunclatiOn for another, owing to cur
lous family custom which I will allow
the the victim to explain. She was
so long silent that Mr.. Bliss was on
the point of renewing the unexpected
attack when she said, with a CULVER
ing smile around the patient mouth:
81 am too surprised for words, Mr..
Bliss! l-l-s-supposed it was Sis
terri and she had an intuitive feeling
that Sister thought SO too and was
pleased at the idea.
"No," he REPLIED "Miss Mcfarland
is lady greatly to be admired, but I
have chosen you to be my wife, pro-
vided you will consent"
But | cannot consent" she an
swered.
Looking blank and displeased, he
asked:
lis it because you cannot recipro-
cate my feelings, Miss Mary Ann?"-
For a moment she hesitated, then
with honest dignity explained:
''No; it is not that; but [ can never
marry until Sister is provided for in
that way. It has been rule in our
family from time immemorial that the
eldest daughter must be married be-
fore her younger sister can accept any
such OFFERS
'But do you consider such a condi-
ton of things to be reasonable, Miss
Mary AunW came from the discomfit-
ed sutton.
She drew herself up, and with a
glance of pride at an old-fashioned
portrait hanging on the wall, replied:
s'My fathers Judgment in all things
was and is supreme, Mr.. Bliss. In his
last moments he babe me remember
the precedent of generations, to be
ever constant to the interests of my
elder sister," Then with gentle sigh,
and in lower tone she continued: "If
you wish to make me happy, ask Sis
ter to be your wife"
Did ever man before listen to such a
proposition, and, what is even more
remarkable, accept it?
Was it pique, Of resignation to the
inevitable-to a Rnling Providence
which enabled him to reply. Every
well, if this is your final decision, will
speak to Miss Mcfarland on the sub
ject at the first opportunity: you are
my choice, but no doubt your sister
will make a good wife, if she is willing"
With composed Good after-noon,'
he left Miss Mary Ann to the burial of
her one hope OF martial happiness.
She entered the sick-room an hour
later with a bright face; related the
fact that Mr.. Bliss had called, and
her own failure to be Entertaining
when left to himself. Noreference was
made to the rejected offer. A month
| later Elisha Bliss had become the pros
pective partner for life OF Miss McFar-
land mon the one condition that