Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-09-21
ONE FILTRATION.

farmhouse, two or three miles from thaG
Of CousIn Andrew Read at whose house I
was visiting from the city.
Mr.. Oakenside stood near the door Of
his large parlor, gravely welcoming the
guests that were pouring in, in merry
groups of rudy girls and sturdy youths.
Miss Sophy, it is said that Mr.. Oaken-
side is anxious to marry and that this par
ty was given to afford him an opportunity
TO make the acquaintance Of large num-
Der of young ladies'" said one of my rus
tic beaux, after l entered the parlor.
He has chosen most admirable mode
of carrying out his plan," answered. II
am anxious to marry myself but 1 am
sure so brilliant an idea for the opening of
matrimonial campaign would never have
occurred to me-"
May tell Oakenside that you wish to
marry" said my companion. 1T will be
such fun to see how he will take it.
''Oh, mol Not for the world"
Eyes; 1 must-I will Why should you
care? 1t will be an excellent joke, Say
yes"
compromised with my conscience by
saying nothing, and the laughing young
man moved away. In another moment
he returned, bringing Mr.. Oakenside,
whom he presented to me, with laughing
hint at mutual wishes, and then walked
quickly away.
began to feel that had got myself
into ''scrape." was frightened, and L
am sure he saw me tremble, for a kindly
light glimmered for a moment in his eye,
and for one instant detected a softer
meditation in his tones.
His words were few, but they gave mo
rapid glance at his life. saw that it was
q commonplace existence enough. He
wanted a wife to take charge of his house
and servants and to make his home pleas
ant for him. In return he would be faith
full and provide for all her wants.
All the evening 1irted with my sol
emn lover, who only left my side to at
tend to his duties as host occasionally.
At parting Mr. Oakenside said he would
visit my cousin next morning, but in my
ignorance of English custom 1 attached
no Importance to his remark.
went sleighing early next morning in
total forgetfulness Of my lovers visit.
When 1 returned, found he had been
there and had expressed a good deal Of
grave surprise at my absence. He and
Cousin Andrew had driven away together
to the next town.
well, Sophy," said Cousin Andrew
that evening, II had proposal for your
hand this morning, or rather for permits
sion to address you. Have you been steal
ing the Englishman's heart, you little
witch?"
ooh, cousin What can you mean? Did
Mr.. Oakenside mention that silly joke to
you? What did you say?"
Told him had nothing to do with
you or your doings, to be sure. And then
he asked me whether your father could be
addressed. You may DO sure it's no joke
to him. He is in deadly earnest. He says
you accepted him"
1T was all in jest. 1t was nothing but
little Irritation, and would not have
him write to father for the world Don't
let him, Andrew"
'Well, If that's all, won't If can help
it, Sophy. I'll tell him not to write, but
he seemed very much in earnest, and 1
think he believes you 3d."
met Mr.. Oakenside two or three times
during the week that followed, though he
did not come again to the house. made
a jesting apology for my absence on the
morning of his visit, but no allusion was
made to anything that had passed.
At the end of the week came an angry
letter from my father. Oakenside had
written to ask his permission to address
me, and was severely upbraided for hav-
ing encouraged such man to such an act.
He wrote:
Your mother is seriously displeased with you
and desires me TO set out at once, as she cannot
be easy again until you are once more under
her care. have written to Mr.. OaSensido,
and he will probably annoy you no more. Ex-
pect me on Wednesday.
For some cause this letter did not reach
me until the Wednesday morning. At
evening my father arrived, and after re-
proving my folly in the terms 1t well de-
served he desired me to be ready TO ao-
company him homeward the following
morning.
1t was not very merry breakfast to
which we sat down next morning. 1
was in disgrace, and was sorry to go away
from the pleasant people VINO had treated
me so kindly.
AS we sat neighbor came in with
face full of news and beckoned Cousin An
drew to conference upon the doorstep.
In few moments he returned, looking
very sad and pale. He sat down and passed
his hand over his face, then, looking up,
answered our inquiring looks.
"Yes, something dreadful has happened.
Oakenside hanged himself in his barn this
morning early. He wrote some letters and
left them on his desk before he did itp-
my cousin hesitated for a woodland
here's one that was directed to SoDhy."