The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-04-07
Heading off
"A Country Girl
Lorlginal.l


ceived an invitation for a visit TO her
fashionable aunt, Mrs TreaddIe, who
lived on 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, a 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
rthed 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
on any such possible result.
Matilda" said the lady, at 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 conquest.
He has broken many a girls heart and
would not scruple to send you back to
your home Tilted and disgraced."
"Oh, aunty, how awfulg'
"Shun him as you would an adder"
But he is my uncle"
Only by marriage. Even IL he were
l don't think that would protect YOU"
This was not the only safeguard
Mrs. Treaddle threw out against d pos
sible loss Of her brothers fortune. She
gave Reginald Knickerbocker, a young
prohigate 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. Treaddle felt that
she had her brother corralled.
"Oh, aunty," said Matilda few days
later, what do you think? Mr.. Knicl-
erbocker- But suppose shouldn't
tell"
TEL me everything, my dear"
Last night when we were alone he
put his arm around me-"
Indeed? What else did he do?"
"oh don't like to tellw
you'd better, my dear"
"He kissed me-"
"Well, my child, congratulate YOU.
Mr.. 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 and
the lady looked annoyed, but she was
equal TO the emergency.
Come here, Matilda. l want to con-
gratulate you. Reggy has been giving
me his confidence just rs If he were
my own son. He has told me of your
engagement to him"
"oh, Aunty, how you surprise me!
Mr.. Knickerbocker hasn't proposed to
me-" She turned away with her eyes
bent on the floor.
"That is only because was wait
Ing" said Knickerbocker, rising and
advancing toward her, "for your
aunt's permission"
why for thatF' asked Matilda, turn.
ing pair of wondering eyes on him.
you dear, unsophisticated child"
said her aunt. I'm our set 1t is not
considered honorable for man to win
girl without permission"
"0h, dearv said Matilda, mild dis
appointment in her voice and eyes.
"Tm so sorry! You can't be honorable.
You didn't have permission when you
kissed me-"
Mrs. Treaddle put lace bordered
handkerchief to her lips to hide
smile. "NIr. Knickerbocier had my
permission, to win you from the first"
she said.
Matilda looked as If she were going
TO cry.
whats the matter, ehlldr' asked
her aunt.
"Oh, nothing! Mr.. Knlckerbocker
asked permission to love me, then
loved me afterward. Suppose he hadn't
got permission. l should have been so
disappointed" And, putting her hand
kerchief to her eyes, she glided out Of
the room.
A month passed, during which RegI
maid Knickerbocker spared no pains to
make himself agreeable and restore
confidence. One day Schermerhorn
Wrinkle asked his sister If she were
not going to give Matilda an entertain
ment.
AN entertainment! Why, Schem,
are you crazy? Give that country chit
an entertainment? 1t would cost me
my position in society"
But Schem insisted on 1t In quiet
way as the proper thing, and Mrs,
Treaddle did not dare disobey. On the
evening of the entertainment Matilda
appeared in a simple white dress, with
rose in her hair, looking for all the
world like Greek statue. Mrs. Tread.
die was astonished to find that the
Introduction instead of injuring her
reputation in society had made hit.
Mrs. Treaddle," said guest, what
a pity to introduce such charming
girl and announce her engagement at
the same timer
Her engagement stammered the