Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1900-09-06

"best matches" Of the city during her
| two seasons, much to the relief of
those young men who had not yet sum-
moned up courage enough TO try their
fate, and much to the disgust of few
amiable young women and several de-
signing mammas. The latter could not
help but deprecate the wicked selfish
ness of a young girl who hypothecated
! and thus rendered temporarily I'M
| available much potential matrimonial
stock, which, ia the nature of things,
would ultimately be thrown back on
the market upon the selection by the
| fair one of that single bond to whose
exclusive possession she was limited
by the laws of church and state.
The fact of the matter was, that
| Agnes Murdock's ideal of life was high.
| She was determined, if she ever EN-
| barkad upon Il matrimonial venture,
to do so only with a reasonably good
prospect of finding in the welded state
a satisfactory outlet for the depths of
affection which had remained so long
unapplied in her tender maiden heart.
No one among the young men who
had sought her hand had seemed
worthy of the great love she was ready
to bestow. She was, therefore, still
awaiting her fate.
'You wished to see me, sir?" the
young girl gently insinuated.
"Yes," said Murdock, with great de-
liberation; II wished to speak to you
about
lie watched her face intently, as if to
read the effect which his words would
\ produce. The light in his eyes was
almost tender; but Agnes was not
skilled in reading their scarcely per-
ceptible shades of expression. She
looked up inquiringly, noting only the
slight hesitation in her fathers speech.
About young man continued
Murdocll, with quizzical smile.
A flush mounted to the girls cheeks,
and she fixed her eyes upon space.
"A young man who admires you
greatly, and who"
Has he asked you to tell me this?"
inquired Agnes, somewhat impatiently.
"Oh! dear no" laughed the chemist; +;
"he is only too anxious to do so him
self. He is a most impetuous fellow.
But l thought it best to prepare you
May l ask the name of your pro-
tege?" interrupted the young girl.
did 1 say he was my protege?'
asked Murdock, gently. 81 certainly
had no intention of conveying any
such impression. His name is Chat
ham-Thomas Chatham"
A look, half of amusement, half of
vexation, came into the girls eyes. 1t
did not escape Murdock's close
scrutiny.
II Judge from your reception of the
gentleman's name, that his suit is not
likely to meet with much favor in your
eyes"
II am not aware that I have ever
| given Mr.. Chatham any reason to be-
lieve that it would" answered Agnes,
stiffly.
''And yet you must have understood
the drift of his attentions during the
last few months, since"
''Since it has been perfectly clear to
every one else, you mean?
"And yet" the young girl continued,
refectively, Il do not see how, with
out downright rudeness, l could have
done more than l have to show him
that his attentions have been distaste-
full to me-"
"Then l may infer" said Murdocls,
smiling, that you would not break
your heart if"
He seemed to hesitate in the choice
of his words.
IF he should conclude to go abroad
on long journey without subjectins
you to his impending proposal"
"On the contrary, father" admitted
Agnes, Il should be everlastingly
grateful to you if such consumma-
tion could be brought about without
unnecessary rudeness or cruelty to-
wards Mr.. Chatham"
"Very well, Agnes, that is all / want
ed to see you about"
Agnes looked curiously at her ather
as if to read the purpose hidden in the
depths of his inscrutable eyes. She
saw nothing but a polite dismissal in
his calm face; and the interview be
tween father and daughter ended, as il
had begun, with formal courtesy on
both sides.