The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-03-03


paraIyzed with dismay. and all the re
lations and friends who knew Miss
SmithersOn were paralyzed, too, and
expressed their opinion that my uncle
had been thwarted through the mach
nations Of old Smthcrson
This was ten years or so before
was born. BY that time the lady had
quarreled with half her husbands re
lations, and by the time | was eighteen
she had quarrcled with the other half
only excepting myself. To- whom, for
some unaccountablc reason, she had
conceived a violent and somewhat en-.
barrassinG affection. As by this time
my parents were dead ana had left
their children very lll.proyided for, we
thought 1t better from prudential mo-
tlycs to encourage this affection, my
aunt being one Of our few prosperous
relations. and our only wealthy one. A..
in addition to her own fortune, she had
caused my late uncle TO make Will
leaving her absolute mistress Of all he
possessed, so when hc died she was
worth a considerable fortune. Her
two sons were entirely dependent on
her capriccs, and rs she had already
quarrclcd violently with the elder,
there was every chance that she might
leave me comfortable income. I
therefore responded with hypocrltical
warmth to her fond overtures, and al
ways accepted her frequent and press
ing invitations. though | reapcd much
WEAKNESS and not little irritation
from her exacting society.
These visits were. however. rendered
cndurabe 10y the society OF my cousin
Edgar, the younger ana fayorite SON
Of whom / was really very fond. and
with whom | sometimes even fancicd
myself In love when wearied with the
excessive ardor Of Cyril Cavendish. an
impecunious bank clerk. who had fixed
his youthful affections upon me- and
whose assurances as To my personal
charms were often great comfort to
me when wounded in spirit by the
plain speaking of my brothers.
One day Edgar came To me with n
greatly pcrturbed expression, and said
he wanted me 10 help him out OF n
difficulty. | said I would DO my best.
ana. after some beating about the
bush. he informed me that he was
deeply in love with Augusta Denaby.
rather pretty girl who lived in the
next parish.
Augusta Dcnshy" exclaimed.
why YOU know Aunt Maria dctcstS
her ana would cut you of with "a
dollar II YOU vcnturCd To marry herr!
That's just the difficulty" respond
ed Edgar. Just because Mrs. Den
ably offended mother n dozen years
ago, she hasn't a good word To say for
any of the family. She has hardly
spoken to any Of them. and, believe.
has never even seen Augusta. | am
sure, II she once got to know her. she
couldn't help liking her. and now that
Mrs Dcnaby Is dead there's no reason
the enmity should be kept up. But
you see Kitty. mother has made up
her mind that YOU and | are TO marry
each other, and she is expecting me to
propose to you while YOU are here"
But | don't want to marry YOU" /
returned, with some warmth. Cyril
suddenly becoming precious in my
sight
Il know YOU don't" replied Edgar
and | don't want TO marry YOU. So
We are OF one mind on that point But
You see, Kitty, shall get no peace
till | ask YOU; 50 what | want YOU to
do Is to refuse me, ana then can tell
mother that YOU wouldn't have me.
and | shall be reduced 20 despair and
80 of and marry Augusta. and mother
Will throw all the blame upon YOU
Then We shall gradually work round.
So that mother will get 10 know and
like Augusta. and all will end happily. ="
| was filled with indignation at this
suggestion Mean. selfish fellow. why
should | bc sacrificed, just 10 further
his own ends. and be deprived OF the
comfortable provision for the future
upon which | was depending at my
aunts death? l resolved upon re-
vengc.
Very well" said I. coldly. IL will
do what | can for you. But you arc
sure your mother wants us to marry ?"
Yes. she asked me only this morn.
ing II | had proposed yet" he replied
Very well then, do So" said I.
We'll. then, Kitty. vii, you be my
wife, said Edgar.
with pleasure" | responded. with
n sweet smile.
But. Kitty. YOU must refuse me-"
said Edgar. much taken aback.
Il shall do nothing OF the sort" said
|, with gentle firmncss. Far be II
from me to go against the wishes OF my
dear aunt. To whom I owe so much. I
shall go and tell her at once how hap
py you have made me"
did, and my aunt embraced me
warmly. almost with tears. and | EN-.
braced her with equal fervor. and told
her that could never do enough 10
show my gratitude. ,
My aunt insisted that we should be
married at once. only allowing time for
the purchase of an elaborate trousseau
with which she intended TO provide
me
The unfortunate Edgar was nearly
distracted 10 break of his engage
ment with me would incense his moth
er even more than his refusal to pro
pose In the first place would hav,
done. lie ragged aud stormed In rri