Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-09-24
HOW SHE FOOLED HIM.
BY HELEN GRAVES.

Mrs. Jefferson Nayland and Mr.. Hop
lins was over at last--and the lady was
heartily glad that it was so. All her
smiles and suavity were needed--all her
slender stock of patience was exhausted.
"0f all intolerable creatures, do
think nn old bachelor is the most in
tolcrable," thought Mrs. Wayland to
herself, looking at Mr.. Hopkins with
the sweetest and most interested OF
expression. 81 wonder IL he really
means TO stay here all day--and have
an engagement at two!'
But Mr.. Hopkins had risen to his feet
at last, with an "ahem," and a manifest
intention of going, and Mrs. Wayland
rose, too, with a soft rustic of silken
robes and expensive lnces.
"Then you think, madam, that cir
cumstances are tolerably suspicious as
regards the consummation of my matt
rimonial happiness within very brief
period of timer" was Mr.. Hopkins final
query.
''AIy dear sir, am quite sure OF IT,"
answered Mrs. Wayland, emphatically,
as she followed Noah Hopkins, Esquire,
10 her front door.
Noah was tall, porty gentleman,
something on the shady side of 80, with
massive gold eyeglasses, and scanty
hair, brushed carefully to hide the bald
spot on the crown of his respectable
head-a gentleman who pronounced his
words slowly and sententiously and
somehow seemed to carry in his very
presence the auriferous idea of bank
stock, railroad bonds and productive
couponsl
"Yes, but, madam, Miss Wayland Is
so very ahem!--so remarkably un-
demonstrative-I might even say so de-
cidedly cold in her manner"
"oh. my dear sir" smoothly inter-
rupted Mrs. Wayland, that is the way
with all girls at this interesting period
of their lives. Nothing on earth but
maidenly shyness-natural girlish
timidity, l assure you'll"
Mr.. Hopkins looked gratifed, but still
doubtful.
"You are quite certain, then, that she
really loves me?"
"Tbere cannot possibly be a doubt
pf it, Mr.. Hopkjns!"
And Nonh Hopkins departed, tread
ing gleefully over the ringing pave
ments as his thoughts reverted ever and
anon to the pretty 1s-year-old damsel
who was, cupid willing, so soon to be-
come Mrs. Hopkins.
But what did Bessy Wayland herself
think OF it? And how did she contem-
plate the near approach of orange bios
SONS and wedding ring?
She sat there by the window, as her
mother returned from bidding q cere-
monious adieu to Mr.. Hopkins, q mod
ern edition of Niobe, 'all in tears"
She was small and fragile, with shady
blue eyes, rather large and languishing;
light brown hair that had an irresistible
inclination to curl all over her head in
tiny gold-burnished rings, and cheeks
where changing dimples hid away
among the loveliestroses.
"Crying again, my dear?" said Mrs
Wayland, in accents of mild reproach
''Really, Bessie, your conduct is most In.
scrutable."
mammal" sobbed Bessie, flashing re.
bellion from the brimming blue orbs
81 hate Mr.. Hopkins!"
"My dearest child" exclaimed the
Mortified mother, "don't let me ever
hear you say such shoclsingly unlady
like thing again. When he is so con
descending as to notice child lik'
you."
eyes, but, mamma"
81 quite understand the meaning o
this new freak of obstinacy.' went OF
Mrs. Wayland, sternly. "You have seer
Charley Evans again"
81 couldn't help it, mamma" falteret
Bessie; "he was at the door just as
came out of church last night. and wheI
/"
"The ideal" calculated Mrs. Wayland
holding up both her hands and looking
appealingly at the ceiling, as if for in
spiration. "And you can actually stool
to fancy a clerk in Mr.. Hopkins bank
ing establishment"
bub NUu I litllNN lliils lHdluiilu, It
turned BESSIE, stoutly; 81 love him witl
my whole heart"
'Hush--sh---h!" exclaimed Mrs Way
land, authoritativeiy. you will b,
married n month from tomorrow TO Mr.
Hopkins, Charley Evans to the contrary
notwithstanding. And now let us 81
down and make out n complete list o
the dresses and things you will want
81 don't care for dresses" pouted Bes
sie; but Mrs. Wayland paid no attention
whatever TO her remonstrance ant
opened her tablets, putting the penci
thoughtfully to her lips.
"You see, we must be very careful a
first, for Mr.. Hopkins is so exceeding
~ economical-it won't do to shock hi,
ideas Of what is proper and fitting"
Bessie winked away the tears ant
listened--nay, she almost smiled a
her mother wrote down item after item
Mrs. Wayland could have hugged her
self for her diplomacy.
"The girl neser yet lived who coul,
Jesist the attraction OF new clothes an,
an outfit Of dresses" she thought. :"
knew how to bring the willful it'll
mink to reason!"
"Bcssie," she said, as she finally close
the little set of tablets and restored tn
pencil to its place within them, mn
Hopkins is coming to take you ou
walking tomorrow
'syery well, mamma"
"And I think you had better wea
your blue silk with the double satil
folds. Never mind about putting Of
yonr new earrings and pin. Mr.. Hop
kins has some rather peculiar ideas
md might consider them q little ex
trayagant for people in our circum
stances"
"Yes, mamma" said Bessie, as docil
MS a four-year-old child.
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