Bisbee daily review., 1903-03-27
Heading of
 A Country Girl
lOriginal.l

lived ou Central Park East. New York. The reason for the invitation was that Matilda was down on a list of legatees for small amounts in the will of Scher- merhorn Wrinkle, Mrs. Treaddle's brother bachelor. aged forty. and he insisted on seeing each and ey- cry beneficiary. When Matilda ar rived, Mrs. Treaddle. struck with her beauty and freshness. was at once ter rified lest her brother might fall in love with and marry her. Since the bulk of his fortune was to descend to Mrs. Treaddle that lady determined to head off any such possible result.
 Matilda" said the lady, "it is my duty to warn you against the men of New York. Now. there's my own brother. Schem. He has no conscience whatever in the matter of a conquest. He has broken many girls heart and would not scsuple to send you back to your home tilted and disgraced."
 "Oh. aupty. how awfulv
 ''Shun hm as you would an adder"
 But he is my uncle"
 "Only by marriage. Even if he were I don't think that would protect you"
 This was not the only safeguard Mrs TreaddIe threw out against pos sible loss of her brothers fortune. She gave Reginald Knickerbocker, young profiiSate with whom she had been carrying on an intimacy. instructions to win Matilda. thus preventing Scher- merhorn from doing so. Having thus put up the bars, Mrs. Treadde felt that she had her brother corralled.
 "Oh, aunty," said Matilda few days later, what do you think? Mir Knick- erbocker- But l suppose shouldn't tell"
 ''Tell me everything my dear
 Last night when we were alope he put his arm around me-"
 Indeed? What else did he do?"
 -'Oh. I don't like to tell!''
 You'd better. my dear"
 He kissed me-"
 Well, ny child, I congratulate you Mir. Knickerbocker is one of the few fine young men in New York fashion able society"
 Isn't it nice that he's not like Uncle , Schem?"
 ''Very nice. trust it will all come out right and you will be very happy" A few evenings later Matilda entered | the drawing room in her accustomed | timid and noiseless way and saw Mrs. Treaddle and Reginald Knickerbocker | sitting on tete-a-tete hand in hand. | The young man dropped the hand aud the lady looked annoyed. but she was equal to the emergency.
 Come here. Matilda. I want to con- | graduate you. Reggy has been giving me his confidence just as if he were my own soH He has told me of your | pngG cement to him."
 "Ch. Aunty how you surprise ne! Mr Knickerbocker hasn't proposed to me-" She turned away with her eyes bent on the floor.
 That is only because 1 was wait ing" said Knickerbocker, rising and advancing toward her. flor your l aunt's permission"
 Why for tlIat?'' asked Matilda, turn ing pair of wondering eyes on him.
 You dear. unsophisticated child" said her aunt. Tn our set it is not | considered honorable for man to win q girl without permission
 ''Oh. dear!'' said Matilda. a mild dis appointment in her voice and eyes. I'm so sorry! You can't be honorable. You didn't have permission when you kissed me"
 Mrs. Treaddle put a lace bordered | handkerchief to her lips to hide a smile. MT. KnickerbOcker had my | permission to win you from the first" | she said.
 Matilda looked as if she were going to cry.
 What's the matter, child?" asked her aunt.
 "Oh, nothing, MT. Knickerbocker asked permission to love me, then loved me afterward. Suppose he hadn't l got permission. l should have been so disappointed" And, putting her hand kerchief to her eyes. she glided out of the room.
 4 month passed. during which Reri- nald Knickerbocker spared no pains 10 make himself agreeable and restore confidence. One day Schermerhorn Wrinkle asked his sister if she were not going to Matilda an entertain | ment.
 "An entertainment. Why. Schem. are you crazy? Give that country chit an entertainment? IL would cost me my position in society" But Schem insisted on 1t in a quiet way as the proper thing. and Mrs. | Treaddle did not dare disobey. On the evening of the entertainment Matilda i appeared in a simple white dress, with rose in her hair. looking for all the world like Greek sta tue. Mrs. Tread dle was astonished to find that the introduction instead of injuring hey reputation in society had made @ hit.
 Mfrs. Trcaddle." said a guest, what i pity to introduce such a charming I girl and announce her engagement at | the same timer
 "Her engagement.' stammercd the l hostess "Ab. ves-te Mr Knicker- rv,kcT i;;;::t L.,:: .i0t :.;.01. it J-sa.: % 1 be given out tonight" 'Mr. Knickerbocker! Why, your l brother announced to me himself that