The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-08-21

| loglstS, decidedly inclined to give way.
| Although feeling that | had heard
enough, thought that, as l had lis
tened to so much, might as we'll hear
a little more. | had not long to wait
| Il really must say" Harry went on,
that there one or two points about
her of which don't altogether APP
approve
| had quite developed a temper now,
which even papa's response could not
assuage.
Well" returned my parent, ''of
course, | don't pretend that she's per
lection; but, take her altogether, she
won't be easy to beat. All the same,
l should like to hear what you con
slider her faults ~
Yes indeed, and so should |. Wild
| horses would not make me 90 away
from the door now
"Well, said Harry, commencing his
criticism with a deliberation that
made my flesh crawl, ''she is passable
jabout the head and face, | admit, but
her neck seems to me unduly long,
and her shoulders have the appear
ance of being trifie too broad -
Broad shoulders are by no means a
drawback, Master Harry" he said,
for they enable her to accomplish a
great amount of work"
Yes, il was true. \ lot of labor did
fall to my share, and had done since
my poor mothers death three Years
previously. But | went at it cheer
fully and without complaint. Work,
even to the point of exhaustion, be-
came a pleasure when performed for
an appreciative father, but it never
could be so when done on behalf of an
unsympathetic husband Husband,
| Thank Heaven, Harry Butterfield was
not that YETI
And then, you know went on
my lover-save the mark!-'her figure
is somewhat diproportionate, and she
is decidedly fat!'
1t was a gross libel, Although not
in the least addicted to right lacing, |
could assert with absolute accuracy
| that my last new blouse was only Is
inches round the waist.and Twas quite
comfortable in it. To call me stout I'M
| der such circumstances was a cruel I'M
truth. felt that my love was fast
! giving away to an altogetherditferen
emotion, and it would need but little
more to turn the scale entirely
Strangely enough, it was my father
who applied the last straw.
Look here" papa said, after a mo-
mentary pause, I'm sure you only
need to get used to her to appreciate
her value. Take her a month on trial
don't like her, let her come back
again.
This was more than could stand.
The idea was monstrous, and how my
father could suggest such thing
oI1ita SSa1 rnnt1tNrnhnnSInn r.
effect upon me was magical Throw
ing propriety, good manners and
everything else to the winds, rushed
into the room.
1T shall not be- | exclaimed pas
sionately; 81 will never be party to
such shameful transaction" and
then, deeming that the occasion emf
nently warranted the proceeding, l
threw up my arms and went off in a
fit of Mysteries, winding up with a
dead faint.
When l came around was lying ON
the sofa, with Harry beaming anx-
iously over me. Papa had gone for a
doctor
THANK heaven, you are recover
ing" said Harry. as | opened my
eyes.
Would that 1 had died" 1
groaned.
pray do not talk like that, EN-
N.Y. said Harry. How can you give
utterance to such wicked wish"
There is nothing to live for,n l
murmured, mournfully.
Nothing? No one?" asked Harry,
looking into my eyes.
Nothing, no one.n answered, re
peating his words.
You are i'll, Emmy, he said, ''or
you would not talk i'll this strange
way"
II am notill,n said, rising from the
sofa to prove the truth of my state
ment. Look at me for a moment,
Harry Butterfield," | continued, fac
ing my lover fearlessly, and let me
hear first hand what you think of me.
Am | passable about the head and
face? Is my neck unduiy long? And
do you consider my shoulder broad
and my figure fat, ell? Answer me to
my face, sir, for | know that is your
opinion of me,n
Emmy, you talk in riddles, which
| cannot understand"
is not your opinion of Inc what |
just stated"
"Certainly not, my dearest
did you not give expression to
those sentiments when talking of NE
to my papa a little while ago?'
II certainly used those or similar
terms, but not in connection with
you. my pretty" said Harry, smiling.
'Of whom were you speaking,
Them l asked, "a faint light begin
ming to break in upon me.
why, the gray mare, to be sure,
which l think of purchasing for our
use when we are married.'
fell into Harry's arms as | saw my
stupid mistake, laughing and crying
by turns. As soon as | was able,
told him all about my eavesdroppin%,
what had heard, and the construct
ion put upon it. Then l gave over
crying and we both laughed together,
and were thus employed when papa
and the doctor came. The latter did
not think required physicking when
he had examined my tongue, so we
all went into lunch, and Harry took
occasion to inform me that papa had
given his consent to our union, and
all the financial part of the business
was settled to his entire satisfaction.
Thus my little comedy of errors
came to a happy ending after all; and
when, a few weeks later, Harry and
| were united in the bonds of matri
mony, it was by my express wish that
the gray mare was used to drive Us to
church.