The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-02-10
HOW SHE FOOLED lid.
BY HELEN GRAVES.

smiles and SuaNlty were llceu0" "
slender stock of patience was eXhausoeo.
.sOf al intolerabe creatures, l do
think an old bachelor is the most IN
to,eral,lc," thought Mrs. Wayland TO
herself, looking at Mr.. Hopkins WIN
The sweetest and most interested OF
cvo-ession. 81 wonder if he really
means to stay here all day-and have
IN engagement at two!'
But NJ. Hopkins had risen to his feet
NJ last, " It'll an "ahem," and manifest
intention of going, and Mrs. Wayland
ross, too, with a soft rustic OF silken
robes and expensive laces.
"T'hen YOU think, madam, that cir
cumstances are tolerably suspicious as
ragards the contamination of my mat
,,mcnial happiness within q very brief
rcricd of time? ?" was Mr. Hopkins final
query.
'Niy dear sir ] am quite sure of it. !"
answered Mrs. Wayland, emphatically,
IS she followed Noah Hopkins, Esquire,
to her front door.
Noah was a tall portly gentleman,
something on the shady side of so, with
massive gold eyeglasses, and scanty
hair, brushed carefully to hide the bald
spot on 4 crown of his respectable
head-a gentleman who pronounced his
words slowly and sententiOusly and
somehow seemed to carry in his very
pres. nee the auriferous idea of bank
stock, railroad bonds and productive
coupons!
"Yes, but, madam, Miss Wayland is
90 very-ahem!--so remarkably un-
demonstrative-I might even say so de-
cidedly cold in her manner"
ooh, 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
tilnidity, assure you!"
Mr.. Hopkins looked gratifed, but still
doubtful.
"You are quite certain, then, that she
really loves me?"
''There cannot possibly be doubt
Of it, Mr.. Hoplzins!"
And Noah 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 a cere-
monious adieu to Mr.. Hopkins, 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 loveliest roses.
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-
hellion from the trimming blue orbs,
II hate Mr.. Hopkins!"
my dearest child!' exclaimed the
Mortified mother, don't let me ever
hear you say such shockingly unlady-
like thing again! When he is so con-
descending as to notice a child like
you!"
Yes, but, mamma"
81 quite understand the meaning of
this new freak of obstinacy," went on
Mrs. Wayland, sternly. "You have seen
Charley Evans again.
81 couldn't help it, mamma" faltered
Bessie; che was at the door just as I
came out of church last night, and when
l."
''The idea!' calculated Mrs Wayland,
holding up both her hands and looking
appealingly at the ceiling, as if for in
SEPARATION. "And you can actually stoop
TO fancy clerk in Mr.. Hopkins bank
ing establishment"
"Rut don't fancy him, mamma" re-
turned Pessie, stoutly; II love him with
my whole heart"
"Hush-sh-h!" exclaimed Mrs. Way
land. authoritatively. ssYou will be
married month from tomorrow to Mr..
Hopkins, Charley Evans to the contrary
Notwithstanding. And now let us sit
down and make out a complete list of
the dresses and things you will want. "
II don't care for dresses routed Bas-
sic; but Mrs. Wayland paid noattent;on
whatever to her remonstrance and
opened her tablets, putting the pencil
fhnnuh ff,111y- n ho,. 1.,>e
You see, we must be very careful al
first. for Mr.. Hopkins is so exceeding
" econonical-it won't do to ehce,- his
ideas of what is proper and fitt.r~'
Pessie winked away the tears and
listsned-nay, she almost smiled as
her mother wrote down item after item
Mrs. Wayland could have hueged her.
self for her diplomacy.
''The girl never yet lived who could
resist the attraction of new clothes and
an outfit of dresses" she thought. 81
knew how to bring the willful little
minS to rrason!"
.ressie.' she said, as she finally closed
ne little set of tablets and restored the
renc'l to its place within them, .'Mr
Horkins IS coming to take you out
WALKING Tomorrow
VERY we'll. mamma"
and | think you had better wear
your blue silk with the double satin
folds Never mind about putting on
your rev earrings and pin. Mr.. To.N
Elns has some rather peculiar ideas
arsi might consider them little ex.
trafasant for people in our circun,.
stances"
Yes, mamma" said Bessie, as docile
as fcur-year-oid child.
SIC v'sS al ready. looking exceeding
II lovely in the hlre s:i,, 6,,ess ,,.h<,., A..