Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-08-24
A SUMMER GIRL.
The Beginning and End Of REQ
tors Alteration.


When | went up to the Catskills
several summers ago it was with the
full determination of asking Miss Wag-
ner to be my wife. Age, temperament,
everything pointed to the suitability
of such marriage; and although am
not cdhceited man l certainly did not
see failure ahead. My position as
rector of the leading church in East
Lemon is certainly one calculated to
impress young woman, and from the
amount of religious fervor exhibited
by Miss Wagner during the past Len
ten season l judged that 1t would not
be disagreeable to her to be more
permanently and more closely con-
nected with, the church.
Why delayed asking her after my
mind was made up | cannot say The
Wagners left East Lemon for the sum
mer and had not spoken. l missed
Miss Wagner more than | could have
supposed. She was good, sensible
girl, active in parish work, with per-
feet genius for Strengthening kinks;
all the different organizations which
seemed to go SO smoothly beneath her
guidance and of which was now the
real, as we'll as nominal head, seemed
suddenly to become tangled and torn
with dissension. 1t opened my eyes
still more plainly to Miss Wagners
perfect suitability for a clergymans
wife. Why had not spoken before?
blamed myself severely. Twas torn
with conflicting emotions lest some
one else more sensible than myself
might have stepped in and secured her;
her large fortune would render her
more liable to ardent suitors than a
girl more moderately circumstanced
blamed myself for letting this treasure
slip through my fingers when every
thing could have been so well settled
months before, and daily expected to
be punished for my procrastination by
hearing of Miss Wagner's engagement
to some more hasty swain.
With this explanation, therefore, it
is needless to say that when my vaca-
tion came around there was not the
least doubt of the direction in which
pointed my steps-the retired and
beautiful spot in the Catskills where
the Wagners were summering; and
resolved that before twenty-four hours
were past would ask Miss Wagner to
be my wife.
Nothing could be more romantic
al haI e.l,otoI 81, -, =,
wooing. A rich New Yorker some
years before had bought for mere
song one of the most beautiful hills In
the Catskills, three or four miles from
the railroad station, and as secluded
as the most distant parts of Maine and
the Adirondacks. The handsome lodge
gates at the foot OF the mountain
opened to let one into little paradise.
The houses tucked away like squir-
rels' nest among the forest trees were
built of undressed logs. with much
American spiciness and originality,
and had little latticed windows, Dutch
doors and many sylvan appointments.
Inside one caught sight of exquisite
interiors In the center of the settle
ment was the clubhouse where most
of the members, eschewing household
cares, took their meals, and where, il
properly introduced, like myself, few
sojourners could be accommodated.
MY first sight of Miss Wagner was in
the dining-room, where | was well
coined heartily and place made for
me at her table. The dining-room haNi
all the elegance of Delmonico's, with
its little tables, handsome china ard
excellent service, in contrast TO the
huge stone chimney in the center OF
the room. the fireplace filed with
logs and the rafters left designedis
overhead. There was certain stir
and excitement this evening my train
having brought a plentiful supply OF
sons, brothers and sweethearts for the
evening hop, as Is usual in most places
within days journey of New York.
After our separation Miss Wagner