The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-01-31
Ge
Harridan.Ormsley
EiOpement
By Mary Uood
Copyright. 1906 by G. II. sutcliffe

Katrina Harrldan was the sixth OF
seven daughters, red haired and under
sized but that did not prevent hei
from being n power in her world. Al
the young ladies' seminary she was the
acknowledged leader as well as the
most intimate friend of her twelve
ciussmates, eaen OF wnom naa III.
promise Of being bridesmaid at heI
wedding, In this they were prescient,
since Thorndyke Ormsley had for some
time made her the object Of his atteD
tons.
Thorndykc Ormsley did not altogeth
er meet with the approval OF the class.
They thought him lacking in the dash
and daring requisite for a suitable
match for their president.
Katrina, however, viewed the matter
from a different standpoint. AS she
confided to her youngest sister Pamela
"There Is something restful In Thorn
dykes conventionality. always know
just what to expect from him, and !
fancy that can furnish more OF tht
element Of the unexpected than h
found in most orthodox families"
She therefore smiled upon her nd
mirer. II followed that she had been
graduated but few months when he
made up his mind that TO marry her
was the only proper course Of action.
He was too well regulated young
man to propose to Katrina without
having first spoken to her father. This
was n procedure that the astute morsel
OF glrlhood had foreseen and arranged
for.
AS he afterward complained to Ka-
trina: II cannot understand 1t. Your
father was brusque, nervous, quite un-
like himself. All that could get him
to say was that you were too young
and that lie entirely dIsapproved.
When | tried TO argue, Pamela came
In. and he intlmated that the inter
view was closed"
Katrina buried her fnce Ia his shoul-
der. "Ol, dear, oh, dear" she walled.
"Syhat shall we doY''
Thorndyke attempted to comfort her.
and he found the process 80 agreeable
that he prolonged II for some moments
before saying soothingly: "Do not be
discouraged. dear. Will call on him
again He must be made 10 see rea-
son" As a happy thought struck him:
"Nhy don't you speak to him your
f..l l.x .it.f.. tyl1 alh fh
get your way pretty thoroughly. He
will say yes TO you"
.'Ife won't" Katrina's voice, though
smoihcred. was decisive.
"Wby noti'
Because ] won't let him." without
giving her lover time TO recover from
the shock size hurried on: Papa has
lost great deal Of money these last
years. lie has really hard time to
get along. 80 that another wedding is
out Of the question. You don't know
what wedding costs. We have bad
five. SO we do. There swould be the
presents and dresses for those twelve
bridesmaids. the flowers. music. cater
W. " ~ hbb nht
claspcd her hands dcspaIringly. Papa
IL always 20 good. lie wanted 10 mort
gage the house but ! said mo-"
Light had begun 10 dawn upon Orms
ley. Let ne. Katrina" he began.
Two red s,tota appeared In Eatrina's
cheeks. "Ald have us all ashamed 70
look you ia the facei Never! Pamela
and have decided never 10 marry un-
less we ciopc"
Thorndyke 0rInsley stiRened. THAT
is Impossible"
Katrina began 20 cry IN earnest Il
always knew that yDu were proper.
but ! never thought you were 70 hor.
ritiy proper thaf YOU eared more for
what people would say than you did
for NE. size sobbed.
Her lover could not resist her tears.
You know that ! love yon better than
anything else IN the world" he said
tenderiy 1T is not entirely on my
own account that | object There Il
Aunt Harriet sbe would be utterly
scsndailzed by an elopemeni. Ii IL
right 20 distress her when she has done
everything for me and J am all sbe
hnsY
Al this virtual capltuiatlon Kstrina's