Frostburg mining journal., 1899-11-11
AN VNCORR7GVBLE.

WanNrlinIS, announced Mrs. Dranutn-
berg, laying down her paper. Il do
wish. Mortimer, that he would marry
and settle down. But l fear he's incor-
rigiblc."
Mr.. Brandenbcrg laughed. Il suppose
you've already picked ont the girl, and
Percy will have her for dinner and tea,
for ball and luncheon, at charming little
tctr-a-tctc meetings. etc, until he'll have
t. give in from sheer hclplcssncsS and
marry her"
IL fail to understand you, Mortimer"
said his wife GROSSLY
Come. now. don't get angry. Floss;
but You knew you love nothing half so
well making Il match for people who
are too stupid to arrange one for them
selves. But you must confess there are
just two people you cannot do anything
with, Percy and Virginia Tarclton.'
"Gn away. Mortimer, and don't be so
silly. | tell you they were made for each
other. and ! AIN only doing my duty in
bringing them together" said Mrs.
Brundcnbcrg, tossing her head dciiantly.
"Gang yer own gait, misSus," replied
her husband smilingly, and meet with
defeat. But I'll wager that is all you'll
meet.
"What'll you wagcr?" qucricd the little
woman brisky.
''Thc price of your portrait painted by
Chatran. he responded, confident that
he would never have to pay it.
Done. And | intend to win," Mrs.
Brandcnbcrg cried glccfully just as, by
strange coincidence. the door was thrown
open and Virginia Tarclton was an
nounccd. Mr.. Brandcnbcrg cast quiz
4 I, 1
from the room, but she was already en-
bracing her dearest Virginia and did not
notice him. Miss Virginia was Il rather
stately young woman of eight or nine and
twenty, handsome. accomplished and
very wealthy; but. having been raised by
n maiden aunt who had met with Il dis
appointment in love in early life and had
i'll consequence turned into vcritable
man hatcr, Miss Virginia had been led
to believe that men at best were untrust-
worthy creatures. Besides, she WAS CON
stantly haunted by Il fear of fortune
hunters and was almost unappyoachable
to all unmarried men.
FlosSy Brandcnberg, who was very
fond of her, had made several unSucccSs-
full attempts to make her happy for life
by marrying her to some VcnturcSomC
SuitOr. but Virginia fought shy of all such
well meant aid.
When. therefore, her friend began to
recount the many attractions and virtues
of her cousin Percy, Virginia listened but
coldly. Finally, being rather hard push
ed, she turned ut bay.
Look here, FlosSy," she said, cncrgct-
ically, please say nothing more about
men and marrying to me. I'll have none
of it,
"Marrying!' exclaimed Mrs. Brandcn-
berg tartly. "Why, Virginia. pardon me
if l say what seems uncomplimcntary,
but Percy Pcntacoast would not marry
you nor any other woman under any con
sidcrati0n."
And why nct, pray?" demanded Nir
ginia, quite huffcd.
'BccauSc.' her hostess replied solemn
ly, percy has just as intense loathinS
for matrimony as you have. l never knew
man so insanely opposed to anything as
he is to marriage. And it's a shame, too,
for Percy is 50 companionable, enormous
ly wealthy, has Travelled the world over,
paints, plays divinely; in short know Of
nothing that he is not master Of"
"And nothing could induce him to mar
ry? Are you sure, Floss?" Virginia in
quired cautiously.
"Qui'c sure was the decided response.
"Thcn," said Virginia, drawing a
breath of relief, you may introduce him,
Floss
Mrs Brandcnberg seemed suddenly to
lose all interest in Cousin Percy. She
stilied Il yawn before replying carelessly:
81 will if | ever get chance, but Percy
so seldom goes out But perhaps | could
arrange it," doubtfully.
Miss Eirpiuin'S fnathnrS Iyara i,tfinI
She colorcd up angrily. Pray don't put
yourself out on my account. It's of not
the slightest interest to me-" she said
stiti1y, and then plunged animatcdly into
discussion of the new play. But when
she had taken her departure Mrs. Bran
dcnbcrg laughed aloud as she said to her
self:
Point one scored"
The day was an cventful one for Mrs.
Mortimer Brandcnberc, for Miss Tarel-
ton had hardly left the house when Percy
PcntacoaSt ran in to pay his respects.
"You came just too late to meet ore of
my most interesting friends" his cousin
said aS she greeted him warmly, after
which she broke into praises of Virginia
and kept it up until Percy interrupted
her sarcastically.
"In fact. she's perfect female para
gon. | suppose he said.
"No," returned Mrs. Brandcnberg,
looking sad. "far from it. Percy. She
would lie if it were not for the unnatural
antipathy she has for marriage. | wish
it were possible for you to meet her,
Percy, for you have so many Congenial
tastes and pursuits. and you would he
perfectly safe in her society and could
enjoy it freely, knowing that even if you
wished she could not be induced to marry
you"
'Iou wish it were possible. What do
YOU mean by that" demanded Mr.. Pen
tacoaSt. stung into interest ut last.
"Oh, Virginia has built such Chinese
wall about herself that she's almost mae
cessblc." she replied.
''1'vr scaled some pretty high walls
and broken through many Others" Mr..
PcntacoaSt said rather sulkily. "and if
wanted to make myself agreeable to any
woman would do so whether she willrd
it or not"
'Gou'rc game, Percy, my boy, but
you'll not likely be tempted in Nirginia's $
ease. as you'll probably not meet her"
And then, having accomplished her end
the wise woman changed the subject
When her cousin left her, he was pledged
to attend Il small dinner the next week.
which she gave in his honor, and, singu-
larly enough, he took Miss Tarelton in to
dinner.
"Mortimcr." said Mrs. RrandcnbcrG to
her husband two months after her dinner
party, you'd better arrange with Chat
ran for my portrait"
''WhatE' cried Mortimer, jumping up