The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-08-26
VI.
HIS FUTURE MOTHER IN-LAw.

Miss Stella had on her hands a war
demanding as great skill In state craft
and as able generalship as that in
which the north and the south were
engaged. She was without single
ally in the family and had to contend
with terrible odds In numbers.
Both Captain Zenith and Miss Car
RE were lovers OF peace; but that was
against Miss Stella since their peace
, depended on their espousal of
the cause Of Mollie and Mrs.
Zenith. If left to themselves
they would not have opposed
her; but they stood in too great awe
of Mollie to withhold their censure
Miss Stella was finally instructed to
deny the adjutant her company; the
injunction was disregarded. Intimida-
ton was tried; failure was so emphat-
ic that the effort became ridiculous.
Restraint was attempted; the attempt
was wofully futile.
OF this warfare the adJutant was, of
course, wholly ignorant. Miss Stella
had told him that the engagement was
distasteful to her family because of
her own lack of years. He regarded
| the engagement as long one and
loohcu upon ehot obJcNtiOh 40 NClg
| trifiing matter, not at all disquieting.
| He had no expectation that objections
| would be submitted to him until he
should ask Captain Zenith for the hand
| of Miss Stella. He did not anticipate
| interference until it should be propos-
| ed to consummate the engagement by
an early marriage. He had no inten-
ton to submit that petition till he
found himself ready to marry. For
these reasons the opposition to the en-
gagement was not a serious affair in
his mind.
He was enlightened somewhat
| through Miss Zenith. One afternoon
he called and was met at the door by
that young lady, who, to his inquiry
for Miss Stella, answered:
Stella is not in this afternoon; in
deed, we do not expect her to return
| before tomorrow"
rs she out of town? l certainly un-
| derstood from her that she would be
at home all this afternoon"
Probably she forgot the engage
ment; possibly she changed her mind.
She went out with Gussie Groves, say
ing that she would remain with her
till tomorrow"
The adjutant stood on the steps med
| itating He was disappointed, puz-
zled, annoyed Miss Zenith stood two
steps above him, pleased by his very
evident discontinue, and hoping that
he would not linger too long. fearing
| possible accidents. The accident hap
| pened. 1t was announced by the voice
Of Miss Stella, VINO, leaning over the
balcony above them, said:
why, Mollie! Step in, adjutant, I
| am coming down at once"
Miss Zenith was In a quandary.
Should she risk an open encounter
then and there with her sister and at
the same time insult the adjutant?
She would rather escape the latter
She fully realized the probability of
defeat if she brought on an enga cement
when her sister had the presence of
her lover to stimulate her resolution
to conquer. Under such conditions
she would be more than ever formida-
BILE.
Miss Zenith having hastily deter
mined upon her course, showed the
adjutant in and then appealed to Mrs.
Zenith to act at once. Mrs. Zenith
consented to act, but put off action un-
til the next day.
The next day, still urged on by Miss
Zenith, Mrs. Zenith entered the par
lor while Miss Stlla and the adjutant
were there planning for an evening
ride, and without circumlocution adj
dressed herself to the task she had as
sumed
Lieutenant Jaquese, your friendship
is very agreeable to us; all of us ap-
preciate the honor you confer upon
the family by your friendship. You
have our highest esteem; our greatest
respect. Therefore hope that you will
not misinterpret my motives; but as a
mother of girls feel myself compelled
to suggest a caution which, with only
your youth to guide you, you may not
rightly appreciate. A high regard for
yourself, motherly regard for Stella,
a proper regard for usages of society,
all impel me to say that 1t will be bet
ter If you are somewhat less marked
and particular In your attentions to
Stella She is but child and alto
gether too young to know her own
mind"
Il am fattered by your personal
concentrations; yet l am at loss to
determine precisely what it is you
| wish? Whether | am forbidden the
premises or required to hereafter ig.
more the existence Of Miss Stellar"
Neither. l sal i truly that the
friendship you mai fest for us is graf
flying. But it is desirable that 1t be
general and not so marked for Stella.
She is but a child and l simply desire
that you recognize and remember that
fact"
my dear Mrs. Zenith, entertain
no thought that threatens her happi-
ness"
Because of her extreme youth we
do not wish an especial intimacy to
grow up between you. If it were one
of her elder sisters it would be diff
ferent matter"
Very different. l respect and adj
mire them. Miss Stella l admire and
love; and intend to some day marry.
| had not designed to speak to you upon
this subject until the war is over and
we are ready to consummate our alli-
ance; but what you have said renders
the avowal necessary. We hope for
your approval
IF you have been so hasty as to
| contract any Sucn engagement you
will now consider it dissolved. We
cannot assent to it now; we cannot
permit it to continue. If, in four or
five years, both of you are inclined to
renew the engagement, we will inter-
pose no objection, SO far as l know at
present. In the meantime, no engage
ment or obligation exists between
you"
Unless some reason more potent
than her youth is given for the deter
mination of our engagement, l must
still and ever regard myself as her af-
famed husband. If she desires the
contract to terminate that wholly
changes the case and however much l
may suffer, l can only submit"
When l promised to become your
wife, dear Homer, did so as wo-
man, not as a child. did so rational
ly, fully realizing the Importance and
seriousness of the step to both you
and me. / believed that you could
make me happy all my life; that l
cannot be happy without you. / be-
lieved that l could make you happy