Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1893-09-23

though | had told him to 60 myself,
Still | never thought he would have
taken me at my word,
''What shall ! say TO Aunt M%aria?"
thought, as | turned my steps home.
ward. This vas "A very serious rcflec.
ton indeed. for ii had been the dream
OF Aunt Maria's existence to see me
united to Dick johnson. the handsome
and only sol of our wealthy neighbor,
Sir Henry.
Dick and | had played together as
children, danced together, tlirtcd to-
gcthcr, and finally fell in love with one
another.
We were to have been married in a
month, and now | had sent him away
and told him | never wished to see him
again.
What was to be done and oh, dear.
what should | say TO Aunt Maria?
There was no help for it, however, but
TO go home and explain the situation to
the best of my ability, and accordingly
home | went.
Aunt Maria was in the drawing
room, and | stole softly in and took my
book, hoping that She would not no
tice me. But she saw me directly and
inquired;
Where is Dick?"
He has gone home" replied. trying
to assume an unconcerned manner. and
failing most ~signally in the attempt.
Gone home? Why? Did You not tell
him | expected him to dinncr?'
YES"
Then why is he not coming"'
''llc had an engagement" mumbled.
For goodness sake, child, speak out,
Come here, where | can see you. How
red your face is. What is the matter?"
| rose obedienily and stood before
my aunt, who fixed her relentless gaze
upon me.
you have been crying" she said.
Nov, just tell me the truth at once,
Daisy, Have you and Dick quarrclled?'
YES | faltercd.
And Whist about, pray"
81 don't know"
you don't know This is a very
sarcastic tone.
| remained silent and fumblcd for my
Observation-Disclosures
WHO beganit| p pursued Aunt Maria.
~sternly.
II don't know"
Have you broken off your engage
ment?"
Yes | burst forth; 81 hate him,
and will never speak to him again.
Then | began to weep ~copiously.
IF you are going to howl, said Aunt
Maria, with bitter irony, you had bet
ter leave the room. ] shall require a
full explanation tomorrow, from both
you and Mr.. Johnson
| fled upstairs, and did not appear
again that evening. She stormed and
cXpostulated, but | remained firm in my
resolve to return Dicks ring and pres
ents that very day.
Accordingly, | spent "a couple of
hours in crying over them and packing
them up.
h-tNi lul'lltoI, AuHl MARTA dU-
nounced her intention of visiting some
pensioners of hers in a village about
three miles distant. and ordered me to
accompany her, which | prepared to do
with a very bad grace, | fear. We
walked for about half an hour without
exchanging "a word, and a more thor
oughly ill-tempered pair of pedestrians
could hardly have been found any,
where.
Our way led through some fields, and,
on reaching the first gate, | noticed a
man leaning against it. As we came
up he opened it for us. and politely
raised his hat. He looked like a gen
tleman, and was dressed in a wcll-ft-
ting suit of blue serge. | saw that he
was a stranger, and wondered where he
from, as strangers were rare in
secluded part of the world.
A little further on, | looked back and
observed that he was following us.
He overlook us before we reached the |
gate, passed us, and opened this
also, again lifting his hat as we
went by.
thought this rather odd, but having
resolved not to speak to Aunt Maria
until she addressed me, | held nv
peace.
At the third gate the same perform
was repeated. but this time the
stranger did not fall behind. Hc walked
to Aunt Maria's side and asked: May
! offer you my arm?'
Certainly not, sir" was the indig-
nant rcjoindcr: 81 have not the honor !
q your acquaintance, nor do | desire
it,
"At least you will permit me to carry
your umbrella" continued the stranger.
unabashed. Aunt Maria merely snort
and, clutching her umbrella more
firmly, marched OH at an increased
pace.
us there no little service you will al
me to render you?" pursued our
unwelcome companion in tragic tones.
go away, sir.!' said my aunt, furious
ly. 1--WE do not wish for your COM
pany. Your having spoken to us at all
a piece of the most unwarrantable
impcrtinence."
'Do not drive me from you,r was the
reply. ~ love you! l have loved you
from the first moment ! saw you. You
are the only woman l have ever loved"
And. with these words this moct nv