Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-20

further from my thoughts.
Amandas mother regarded mo GU
riously. "0f course" said she, 'if
that we're the case, it would make
difference.
But l don't really mean it," 1
cried, hastily. Why, the idea was
absurd. Just when was in the mid
die of the book on the Cerebral Con-
volutions," too.
"Then, said her mother, closing her
hard, thin mouth with snap, "Aman-
da will marry Mr.. Plutus. There is
no one but you who has any right to q
voice in the matter"
"There is Amanda" 1 suggested.
amanda! She is far too young to
decide. l am the Judge for her.
Amanda shall do as bid her and
marry Mr.. Plutus."
al shall do my best to stop her."
"She shall not see you" l knew
she would try to be as good rs her
word, and my heart went out in
great pity for poor little Amanda, who
was 80 like her father and had been a
pet of mine ever since she was child.
eff weren't too old" said, half
to mys If.
Nonsense. Why, you're no older
than l." She is 43.
''Too much buried in my books and
in bachelors recreations--"
Marriage would soon alter that.
81 could never make that child
happy" l sighed ~.
Nonsense! She's devoted to you. !"
"Not in in that way" believe
1 bushed.
you'd soon make her"
"Do You really mean itp" /
couldn't let old Toms daughter be
married to that Plutus. 1t would de-
lay matters, anyhow, if she became en-
gagged to me. Meanwhile, L might
find some one else for her.
"Why not?" she asked, coolly.
every well; / will speak to Amanda
about il, " / said, slowly. "But there
must be no drawing back on your
part"
had sudden inspiration-being
man of quick thought. 81 should
like TO have your consent in writing.
To be candid, do not trust you.
Every WELL" She sat down to her
escritoire. "What shall / writer"
81 consent to the marriage OF my
daughter to Mr.. Frank Austen" L
dictated. She wrote it accordingly
and signed it with flourish.
Ny name is the same AZ my neph-
ew's. I'll have him up to town, and
if he doesn't fall in love with Amanda
he's fool. That was my idea.
"Well, now I'll talk to Amanda, !"
I said, feeling rather uncomfortable.
And / did.
Amanda is 10 and stands feet 2.
Amanda has golden brown hair thatwill
get loose and tumble about her cheeks
and forehead. Amanda has big, dark
eyes aud long eyelashes and cherry
ripe lips and the dearest little dimples
in the world. Amanda hos soft, white
hands-she generally gives me both
and tiny feet whose rush could rec
ognize blindfold. She came in quiet
" today, and there were dark marks
under her eyes.
"Oh, Cousin Frank" she cried
cousin is my brevet rank-''you won't
let her make me-marry that horrible
man.
NO." said I. MANDY, my dear, 1
won't" Then I kissed her. II only
/ were sure that she wouldn't disar-
range my study!
"You kind old Frankv' She took
hold of my arm and squeezed it.
"But your mother insists upon your
getting engaged to some one, my
dear" / said, ruefully; somebody
who is fairly well off Are you in
love with anybody, Mandy? Tell me,
there's good little girl"
She opened her eyes wide and
looked at me honestly. ooh, no,
Cousin Frank Only-only-I think
perhaps should like to be-some
day"
"But there isn't any one yet?
Truly?"
"Truly. No one at all"
"Well, look here, Mandy" said,
sheepishly; "your mother insists that
you shall be engaged to some one, and
can only find one person.
'Not Mr.. Plutus! L won'tr' she
cried, vehemently.
"No, mol Not any one who will an.
nov you, dear, or whom You dislike. 4"
Whoever" She looked up at
one quickly and half let go my arm.
Just till you find some one You
like" / apologized, turning as red as
spoppy.
She held on to my arm again and
looked down on the ground. Then
she laughed. "How very funny"
"Would you mind, Mandy?"
NO." she laughed again. 81
think it would be rather-fun. You
xnnlh have to take me ouh q LOT.