The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-26
WHY I'M AN OLD MAID

| [ came very near being engaged once and
onee was all but married. He was fat,
| lovial, middle aged widoWer, with two
| daughters. He didn't actually come to see
| me very often, but he was always stopping
it our gate and having nice little chats,
and strolling home from church with me.
And one evening he dropped in about dusk.
[ heard him scraping his boots on the mat.
"Come in, Squire Dutton, and have a
pipe" says my father, as hospitable as
could be.
mo, thank 'ee,' says he; GIVE called to
See Miss Hetty.''
"Oh," says my father, with little
chuckle. ''Well, youth find her in the big
hall.''
made believe never to hear his step
until he was close to me. And then I
started and cried, "Dear mel''
Don't be frightened, Miss Hetty,'' says
the squire.
to say to you, my dear?''
"I'm sure I don't know" says 7, hang
ing my head.
Eve been thinking this long while,
Miss Hetty, that You were fitted to adorn
another sphere than that you so admirably
occupy here
didn't make any answer. but resolved
that when we were married I'd have a
wing put on the south end of the Dutton
house, and I'd have new curtains, and the
old hemlock tree should be cut down as
quick as ak could level it.
''Do you suppose - he went on, "you
could be induced to leave your home here
and your kind father? I know it's asking
a great deal of you
Yes, - falfered, "but"-
"But if you would accept the offer I
have to make your
Little as l WAS experienced in such mat
tiers, felt that the time had come to speak.
Can you doubt it?' 7 asked, trying
hard to blush.
''Then it is yes?''
"Of course it is yesp' said archly.
"You are fond of children? My two
girls will be among the claimants for ycOr
time and Affection
"They shall be sisters to me'' an
swered.
"And what time could you''--
At any time you please to name"
"Ahen-yes-the first week in Septem-
Der would, suppose, be preferable
81 will be ready then, - I faltered.
"And 1 will ascertain the particulars
and let you know as early as possible. I
told the trustees 1 thought you could be
persuaded to accept the position"
"What trustees?"
''The trustees of the ST. Genevien semi
nary. The position of which speak is
that of English teacher.
You see, ne pursued, L nave a very
special reason for wishing to send my
daughters to boarding school just now.
don't mind telling you in confidence that
I am-ehem-m-m, in short I am con-
templating speedy marriage with Lucy
Hooper,
Lucy Hooper, indeed-a pink faced little
girl of 10, who knew no more about house.
keeping than did about Chaldee verbsl
And that was my first offer-or at least
the first offer that T caTOa Daar having
1t was two years after that, when was
boarding at Mime. Rocheparde's in SyLa
place-for I had got tired of the country and
wanted to enjoy a glimpse of fashionable
Hfe-that became acquainted with Gus
tave Dupin, a dark eyed foreigner, with
lisp and mustache like silk.
And the first knew NJ. Dupin was at
my feet in that charming foreign way-all
abandon and devotion.
81 felicitate that Inademoiselle has not
yet her heart surrendered to other aspi-
rants" he said, for is it not that I may
hope?''
didn't know what to say, but he caught
my hand:
''The charming ENTHUSIASTICALLY does
she hesitate?" he CALCULATED. II am her
slave-her dog. Shall I my brains ex-
plode-for life without my darIings de-
Votion were but a heightened misery?"
How frightfully you talk said I, be-
ginning to be quite terrified.
'You will then be mine?''
F'Yes,'' faItered. What else could
sayi
I was engaged this time, fairly and
squareIy, and how the widows and maid
ems of Nine. Rocheparde's boarding house
did envy me, to be sure. The Countess
Gustave had limited at title
to which he was heir-how delightfully."-
1t would sound, and how should enjoy
sending my wedding cards to Mrs. Duttonl
1t was the day before the eventfu1 Thurs
day, and 1 was packing my trunk when
Gustave came in with disheveled hair and
1ravat tied all on one side.
Dear me, Gustave, what is the Inatter?''
''It is that your Gustave is wretched;
that he seeks but to bid his Henrietta
ldieu ere he himself annihilates Weep
not, my angel, but forget that Gustave
aver HvedP'
And then, in answer to my eager ques-
jionings, he confessed that he had Endorsed
he note of a commercial friend; that the
friend had failed to meet his engage
nents, and that Gustave consequently be-
zane liable.
"How much is it?'' asked.
"But a paltry 500, and tomorrow gold
will flow in upon me in streams. My ar
rangements are all made. shall receive
tomorrow. But today-alas,
ny Henrietta, why do I live?'
81 can let you have 500, Gustave''
My ANGEL My queenl It is but for
me lee-tal day, and then your Gustave will
heap the treasures of all his ancestors at
your feeti''
The wedding morning came, but no
the mystic hour, but still no
5ustavei
was beginning to grow hysterical, when
Nine. Rocheparde hurried in with a note.
AS for the maid, old and ugly, to whom I
vas affianced, she has served my turn. have
pent her dollars to buy passage in La Refine,
nd myself Of her mockl Did she for an
Instant dream that I should squander myself
IN herr Adieu. my good madame, foreverl
GUsTAvE.
I never have had any more chances.
LII