Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-03-10


IF you want to know ask her. he
retorted desperately.
All this by-play passed unnoticed by
Miss Tweddle, who was probably too
full of the cares of hostess to pay any
attention to it; and accordingly she
judged the pause that followed the fit
ting opportunity for little speech.
Mrs. CoIlum, ma am" she began,
and my dearest Miss Matilda, the
flower Of all my lady dodgers; and you,
i Leandy; and MIR. .Jauncy; and though
:. last mentioned. not Intentionally SO |
assure you, Miss Parkinson, my dear, |
couldn't tell you how honored / feel to
see you sitting so friendly and cheer
full round my humble table! l hope
this will be only the beginning OF many
more 50; and ! wish you all your very
good healths.'
Which, if | may answer for self and
present company, said Mr. JaUncy, no
body else being able to utter a word,
we drink and reciprOcate."
Leander was saved for the moment,
and the dinner passed without further
incident. But his aunt's vein of senti-
ment had been opened ad could not be
, stanched all at once; for when the cloth
was removed, and the decanters and
dishes of oranges placed upon the table,
she gave Il little preparatory cough and
began again.
''I'm sure it isn't my wish to be cere-
moniaI," she said, but we are all among
friends for | should like to look upon
oyu as a friend if you'll let me- she
added rather obviously to Bella. And
| do not really think there could be
Il better occasion for sort Of little
ceremony that I've set my heart on.
Leandy, you know what | mean, and
YOU have got it with you, [ know, be
cause You were told to bring it with
you"
Miss TWeddlc," interrupted Matilda,
hurriedIy, mot now Il don't think
Wider has sent it back yet. [ tod you
, you know"
That's all you know about it young
laly," she said archly; for | stopped
in there yesterday and asked him
about it, to make sure: and ne told me
il was delivered over the very Saturday
, afternoon before So Leandy, obIige
! me for once, and put it on the dear
girls finger before us all; you needn't
> be bashful with us, I'm sure, either OF
YOU"
"'What is all this?" asked Mrs Col
: llIm.
why it's Il ring. Mrs. ColIlIm, ma'am
that belonged to my own dear aunt
though she never wore it; and hel
grandfather had the poSy engraved
on the inside of it, And | remember
her telling me. before She was taken
that she'd left it to me in her Will, bu
! | wasn't to let it 90 out of the family
;, so / gave it to Leandy to be his ell
gagement ring; but 1t had to be altered
because it was ever SO much too large
as it was
Il always thought" said Mrs. Col
Ium, that it was the gentleman dutS
, to provide the ring"
$50 Leandy wanted to, but | said
, You can pay for the altering; but In
fanciful about this, and | want to SEE
=. dearest Miss Collum with my aunt:
+, ring on -
f '-Oh. but. Miss Tweddle. can't yol
sec!' said Matilda He's forgotten it
} don't don't tease him about III Ii
must be for some other time, that's allv
!, Matilda. I'm surprised at YOU" sale
, her mother ITO forget such thin!
5 as that would be objectionable in an.
]. young man. Leander Tweddle you cal
t not have forgotten it,
No he said; 1--WE not forgotten it
e but-hut ! haven't it about me. and
G don't know rs | could lay my hand OF
$ It, just a present, and that's the yer,
Y truth
Part of the TRUTH" said Bella "Oh
g what deceitfuI things YOU men are
e Leave me alone. James, [ Will speak
e wont sit by and hear poor, dear Mis-
ColIWm deceived in this way. Miss Col
II Iun. ask him if that is all he know
/! about it. Ask him and see what h
} says"
Il am quite satisfied with what h
y has chosen to say already, Miss Parkir
IT. son, thank YOU" said Matilda.
Then permit me to say, Miss CoIlun
n that In truly sorry for you" sal
d Bella.
IF YOU think so, Miss Parkinson,
]" suppose YOU must say So
e Il do say it," said Bella; Tor it's
L sorrowful sight to see meeEness all ru
G. to poorness of spirit. You have 4 RICH
st to an explanation from Mr.. Tweddl
e there, and you would insist upon it
you wasn't afraid land with good res
a. SOM of the answer you'd getr'
/ At the beginning of the short colloQu
u Miss Tweddle. after growing very re
and restless for some minutes. ha
> slipped out of the room. and came
n now, trembling and out Of breath, wit
l. Il bonnet in her hand and cloak owe
her arm.
Il Miss Parkinson" she said. Speal1in
IT very rapidly, when l asked you t
so come here with my good friend an
former lodger l little thought that an,
or thing but friendship would come wit
ct il; and sorry l am that it has turne
IS out otherwise And my feelings to NJ
* Jauncy are the same as ever; but
this IS Your bonnet Miss Parkinson. an
nj your cloak. And this is my house an
~ ! shall be obliged if you'll kidly ~
III on the ores and walk out of the 9th,
IT at cnce"
| Bella burst into tears and demandt
id from Mr Jauncy why he had brougl
her there to be inSulted You brou-sl