Smyrna times., 1896-02-19
THE FAMILY BLACK SHEEP.

THE FAMILY BLACK SHEEP.
"And you, Freda," says my paternal
ancestor, sternly gazing down from
his superior height to my petty five
feet-two, care to behave sensibly, if
possible, and consider yourself en-
gagged to Mr.. Comyn."
1 feel myself sink-fguratively
speaking away to the lowest depths
of despair as papa goes on refectively:
''Really a fine offer for you You
have always been the black sheep of
the family, Freda, and certainly do
not deserve such good fortune as to
marry a man with cool million, who
is quite devoted to you. So take the
goods the gods provide and make no
demur."
"a sacrifice to appease the wrath of
the gods, " | quote demurely But my
heart is mutinous and rebellious to the
last degree. How dare my father, or
any one else, dispose of me in this
cold-blooded, mercenary fashion? l
hate Mr.. Comyn! 1 am positive that
it is hatred devouring my heart at the
present moment, although, never
having met the gentleman in question,
how can l tell what my sentiment in
regard to him may be?
Yes, have never met Mr. Comyn
yet he is mad enough to ask me to
marry him! Such a curious affair in
every wayl
Sister Rita and I had attended an
archery party at Mrs. SOmers's lovely
country home, and Mr.. Comyn,
CHANGING to be present, had fallen
deeply in love with mel At least, such
is his astonishing announcement in his
letter to my father, which has just
been received. Yet I am positive he
was not presented to me at all; and, in.
deed, was so engrossed with the game
and so fully occupied (well, yes, tn,
truth must be told) flirting with Harry
Blake, that l had simply no recOllec
ton of meeting this aspirant for the
honor of my hand, at all. But tn,
party was very large one, and 81
perhaps, it is not strange that | hay,
forgotten him.
take the letter from papa's hant
Che is strangely deferential to me
''the black sheep of the family" sine,
this proposal from Mr.. Comyn), and
glance eagerly over the page of note
paper covered with sprawling chiro
graphy. l catch a glimpse of my name
yes, he means me!
The epistle goes on to observe that
having had the pleasure of meetin.
Miss Freda Lowell at the archer
party given by Mrs. Somers, he ha,
fallen sudden victim to the littl
god, and begs the honor of her han,
In marriage, providing that he shall b
able in time to win her heart.
All, there is a loOphole! He vii
never win her heart-oh, no! Some
thing of my thought must have ex
pressed itself in my face, for papa oh
serves, hastily:
'Now, remember, Freda, no tricks
1t is my desire-my command-ths
you accept Mr.. Comyn."
"Oh, papa, don't make me say yes
now! Do give me a few days of grace
Even as the condemned criminal
going to the scafold-f fasting an
prayer
Papa frowns severely.
'Freda" His voice is very sterr
and | tremble in my boots. 'You un
grateful child Do you realize that it !
all can do to keep up the family?"
"Oh, papar' cry, piteously Gre
says when turn on the .water-work,
there is no resisting me), "do let m
support myself; l can teach, 1 know
can. l have never considered maj
riage. I am young, Rita is the oldes
why can't he content himself wit
Rita?"
Yes, why can't he? She is decided
the prettier-though, truth to tell. W
look wonderfully alike. We are RI
spectively II and 10 and look eve
younger. Papa is frowning prodis
iously. see there is no use in remor
strance-his mind is made up. A mi
lionaire in the family Papa puts a
end to the controversy, at last, b
quietly leaving the room. sink dow
upon the broad window-seat and Or,
pare for a good cry, when some on
pulls my hair, emphatically. stiae
yell and spring to my feet Only Fred
An inspiration seizes mel
"Oh, Fredl'' l will piteously, ''ean
you help me2 You have influence wit
papa do beg him to give up this horr
BILE marriagel"
He = ouly 10, and the pet of tn
u. {
"a, don't be a goose" /
ates, at last ''Wish l had IL
II -ee to marry a girl as rich as M
n Jomyn. I'd perpetrate matrimony
Z she was as ugly as original sin and M
pet aversion.
''Et tn, Brutel / pout indignantl-