News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1894-10-18
HER Two PROPOSALS.

1t was a bright winter morning,
and Mr.. Segrist's two pretty nieces
had Just come down stairs fresh as
Hebe. Very pretty girls they were,
in a delicate womanly fashion, al
though nobody would ever have been
reminded by them of the Venus de
Medici, and not an artist had ever
thought of asking them to sit for
Madonna. 1t is the everyday style
of beauty that wears the best.
$50 he has failed, has he ?" said
Cora to her uncle, who has just been
promulgating the news of the day
from behind his newspaper. "What
a pity! And he was so nice and
agreeable"
f'Failed Mr.. Kirkwood ?" echoed
Lisa, her cheek losing a shade or SO
of it's bloom. "Qh, uncle, how did
that happen ?"
'As most failures happen, my DEAR"
said Mr.. Segrist, folding up his paper.
"Too much press of canvass and too
little ballast. 1t is pity; he was a
good young fellow enough, and this
will throw him back twenty years"
Lisa sat thinking, with her pansy
eyes fixed intently on the pattern of
the table-cloth, her red lips apart,
until her sisters clear, bird-like voice
aroused her from the temporary alb
straction.
upon my word, Lisa" the elder
cried, merrily. Il do believe you are
in a trance. Why don't you answer
my question %
Lisa started, both cheeks suddenly
crimsoning.
"I-I was thinking, Cora. What
was it you asked me ?"
"About our ball dresses for to-
morrow evening""
"Oh, Cora" cried downright Lisa,
show canyon think about ball dresses
when-when you remember who was
to have taken you there ?"
"Mr. Kirkwood," said Cora calmly.
"Of course he can't go now, but we
can easily send for cousin George"
"Then you really mean to go ?"
"Of course. Why shouldn't l ?"
81 think he loved you, Cora" said
Lisa in low voice, and you thought
so too"
"He must learn to unlove me,
then" said the elder sister with a
musical little laugh, as she calmly
poured out a second cup of coffee for
her uncle.
"But. Cora" pleaded her sister, cit
isn't as if you yourself were poor.
You know we have little money of
our own"
every true, wise Lisa, but mean
to keep my own and not spend it in
bolstering up the ruined fortune of
any unlucky Speculation. No, no,
my child my husband must bring
money of his own, not be drain
upon my slender resources"
Lisa shook her head.
That sounds very worldly, said
she.
"Does it ?" Now think it has just
the common sensical sound to it.
People must look at these things
from a practical point of view"
"Uncle', cried Lisa, almost passion
ately. don't you think she ought to
like him all the better because he is
in trouble %
"My dear, my DEAR" said the old
gentleman, composedly, 81 can't
pretend to Judge of these things. You
girls must settle your own affairs"
"My mind is quite made up al
ready" said Cora Segrist calmly.
And when poor Guy Kirkwood's
card came up that afternoon, Bessie,
the maid, came courtesying demurely
down into the parlor with
please sir, Miss Cora is engaged"
Guy Kirkwood went slowly and
sadly away without answering a sin
gle word If she had only remained
true to him, but now
Well, such was the way of the
world.
"Uncle, can't l speak to you for a
minute ?"
Mr.. Segrist, setting away the piles
of dusty papers in the library, start
ed at the sound of the soft, bell-like
voice.
"My child, l thought you and Cora
had gone to the ball"
Cora has gone, uncle, but J tho't
I would rather remain at home.
Uncle" And here she paused and
hesitated.
"Well, child, what is it ?"
"You are my guardian and trustee,
UNCLE" she went on, AS if forcing her.
self to speak. "Will you tell me how
much money Cora and [ have each
got 2"
about $4,000, Lisa"
"And can | do as | please with it ?"
"That depends on circumstances.
Probably-yes."
"Well, uncle, | want to lend it to
Mr.. Kirkwood, to help him get into
business again"
"Child, for what ?"
"Because he has no friends left,
uncle: because / feel so very sorry for
him." said Lisa Segrist, with deepen