Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-10-23


Dear me-" demureiy replied Miss
White; ''you frighten me. To think
that this grand Sultan should condescend
to throw his handkerchief TO poor me,
who am only country girl"
Miss Fortesque looked at her sharply.
$50 you overheard that speech OF his, "
she said. 81 hoped you hadn't, for
Clinton Munroe, with all his dudishness,
is at heart good fellow"
'But think of his having to associate
with blowsy, red-handed, sledge-ham-
mer-footed girls" answered Miss White,
with a gay laugh. ''Nayl having even
would crush his dainty foot if I had
CHANGED to tread upon it in that last
waltz" and as though to emphasize the
idea she put out for an instant the small
est and prettiest slipper imaginable.
"You are making fun, and / won't
talk to you any MORE" replied her
companion, with a grave affectstion OF
reproof. "Speaking nationally, 1 don't
know what our cities would do if they
were not recruited from the country.
Most of our prettiest women had mothers
or grandmothers born on the farm, and
to that they owe their health aud good
onymous. A vast majority of our
leading lawyers, clergymen, physicians,
and merchants were country lads. But
fortunately every city gentleman is not
like Clinton Munroe. You don't find
Mr.. Wallace disparaging the country, do
youW
A deep blush rose and spread over
Miss Whites face till it dyed even the
tips of her small shell-like ears. She
waved her fan before her face nerviously,
but Miss Fortesque had noted the blush,
! and drew her own conclusions.
In few days every one at the hotel
was talking of the conquest Miss White
had made.
"Such a match for her," said the en-
vious old maids. "How she'll adorn
Fifth avenue" said good-hearted old
dowager, who boosted of the "bluest
blood"
II though Wallace was smitten
there" said a cynical old bachelor, "but
as he is only poor lawyer, of course he
has no chance, and aware Of this he
withdraws."
AZ met Mr.. Munroe and his friend
Wallace, "said an other, tout walking this
morning. Miss Horton was with Wal
lace, and the lovers were behind; Mon
roe was very attentive, assure you"
''For my part" said romantic miss,
II don't think Miss White will marry
for money. Mr.. Munroe may be very
attentive, but if some one else, whom I
have had my eye upon, would speak |
believe she'd take him without penny"
Who that some else was this keen OBJ
server did not say, but other people be-
sides Miss Fortesque had their suspicious.
We who are in the secret of all parties
will not attempt to conceal Wallace's
love for Miss White. He had stood aloof,
however, ever since the night of the
dance.
eff she likes him best let her have
him." he had thought. HE is richer
than I, and can give her luxury and ease.
will not stand in her way"
From which it will be seen that he was
very proud man, and was also slightly
one-sided in his judgment in this matter.
for why not give the lady chance TO
take him and moderate competence if
she preferred it instead of ease and
luxury2
Fortune made for her, or for him, the
chance in spite of Wallace's pride. One
evening after they had danced together,
Munroe for once having taken out an
other lady, the two strolled out on the
piazza, and thence allured>by the moon
light down to the river. Wallace CHANGED
to say that he expected to leave in day
or two, and something in the tone of her
reply made him look quickly into her
face. The secret came out, as it always
does, in the most natural manner after
this, and before they returned to the
house were plighted lovers.
"Only you were hardly fair to me-"
said Miss White, ~ had never. I am
sure, given you any reason to believe
that l was mercenary, or that would
rather be an idle woman of fashion than
the real hell mate a wife ought to be. I
don't believe the truest happiness IS to be
found in wealth alone. 1t is rather In
knowing that others are making sacri-
fees for one, and that one can make sac
riices in return. | know you thought |
encouraged Mr.. Munroe, but did not.
l only accepted attentions that l could
not refuse without positive rudeness. If
he had ever said word that permitted
me to reveal my position l would have
spoken quickly. Besides, you never, or
hardly ever came near me, and somehow
you mustn't misunderstood me, dear,
don't wish to speak unkindly OF the man,
IL f0 RI