Victorian Short Stories: Stories of Courtship by Unknown
page 44 of 134 (32%)
page 44 of 134 (32%)
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following morning Captain Broughton called at the parsonage, and the
servant-girl brought word to her mistress that he was in the parlour. But she would not see him. 'Laws miss, you ain't a quarrelled with your beau?' the poor girl said. 'No, not quarrelled,' she said; 'but give him that.' It was a scrap of paper containing a word or two in pencil. 'It is better that we should not meet again. God bless you.' And from that day to this, now more than ten years, they have never met. 'Papa,' she said to her father that afternoon, 'dear papa, do not be angry with me. It is all over between me and John Broughton. Dearest, you and I will not be separated.' It would be useless here to tell how great was the old man's surprise and how true his sorrow. As the tale was told to him no cause was given for anger with anyone. Not a word was spoken against the suitor who had on that day returned to London with a full conviction that now at least he was relieved from his engagement. 'Patty, my darling child,' he said, 'may God grant that it be for the best!' 'It is for the best,' she answered stoutly. 'For this place I am fit; and I much doubt whether I am fit for any other.' On that day she did not see Miss Le Smyrger, but on the following morning, knowing that Captain Broughton had gone off,--having heard the wheels of the carriage as they passed by the parsonage gate on his way to the station,--she walked up to the Colne. 'He has told you, I suppose?' said she. 'Yes,' said Miss Le Smyrger. 'And I will never see him again unless he |
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