The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1891-08-07

Pul the young man Was OF age
and the young lady also, and the
properly mu>i be settled, and
could not until the match was
iiher on or off.
The old lawyers in whose hands
lhe affair rested knew tie Feelings
ol' their wards, but they judged
that a meeting might mend mat
ters. At least it was necessary
that they should meet.
Harold, as in duty bound, was to
cross the ocean to meet his be-
irolhed aud give her. an opporlu,
nIly to refuse him.
The news Of his ARRIVAL brought
into full activity those feelings OF
repuguance that Elsie had couceiv-
ed for Harold in her childhood.
She had for awhile resolved to
Weld to her dead fathers wishes,
but now she felt that 1t was inn
possible.
Yel there was enough of worldly
wisdom in her head 10 teach her
how much better il was to be rich
than it was to be poor.
Ii he refused her, her fortune,
and his also, would he hers by law.
She would force him TO refuse
her, and then she would return
him his fortune, and all would be
AS il should be. But how could
she do this?
The girl sat for a while in deep
reverie, and then arose and clasped
her hands together.
A thought had struck her.
There was in The house a seam
stress, with as much conceit as any
young beauty was ever blessed
with.
Her rough manners and ways of
speech had become proverbial
among her own class, The other
servants speaking Of her generally
as Crusty Betsy. And this girl had
OF late been occupied in the room
Of her Young mistress over some
new dresses.
Straight to this apartment Elsie
flew, and, locking the door, sal
down opposite Betsy and said:
81 have something for you TO do,
Betsy, and III pay you well for it."
Just name 1t, them" said Betsy.
"When | was a little girl, Betsy"
poor papa promised that l should
marry a Young gentleman who
lives in England when l was
grown, and that If do moi |
should lose my fortune. Now the
time is come, and he is coming !;
and | can't marry him. Betsy, |
want him to refuse me. Don'tyou
understand ~
81 understand" said Betsy, "and
if were you I'd huff him off
quick enough, and make him glad
TO 60, that | would.n
"And can't think how to do it,
Betsy" SAID Elsie, and if you can
you must do il lor me. While he
stays you must pretend that you
are Miss Seabright; you must
wear my clothes and take all The
airs you can, and make him as un-
happy as possible, so that he'll
have TO refuse yOu-that is, me,
You know. Be sharp as You can
with him, Belsy-never The least
Dit kind or nice. You'll try won't
rou, Betsy ~
Then the two girls left of all
,lher work 10 examine Elsie's |
wardrobe, and soon Betsy was
lressed in the most elegant attire.
"And j." said Elsie-'I will |
De your companion, and you must
'all me Miss Smith, and snub me
md order me about"
Thus il was all arranged when
he little letter Elsie had been ex-
,ecling arrived, and breaking its
,lue seal she read that Mr.. Har-
ineton would pay his respects TO
Hiss Seabright in The course of an
our.
How Miss Seabright laughed as
he sat waiting in The drawing
DOM, watching Betsy sail up and
own with all the new assumption
f dignity. Betsy, with the most
intentions, would have
een sure of offending; but Bet.
Y, being bent on being unpleasant
'onld be a grand success.
Just then Betsy herself leaned
rom the windew.
"Oh, miss - she cried, "there's a
arriage al The door, and there's a
entleman coming out of it. Bless
S If that is him | don't wonder
ou want 10 be of your match.
)eary, oh ! deary me w
But before she could explain a
ervant had brought Elsie a card,
earring the name of Harold Hsr.
nglon, and as she arose the most
Extraordinary figure entered the
pom.
IL was a very tall young man,
eiween whose shoulders grew a
ump. He also, though he seem
d 10 move actively enough, walk
] on cruiches.
On his head, from which he had
emoyed his cap, was black silk
kull cap, such as entirely bald old
then wore.
His nose was certainly well
laped, but it was much the color
red flannel; and about his
lroat was a muffleT.
This was Harold Harrington.
Elsie's surprise was so great that
he sank into a chair and forgot 10