Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-11-10

around that she could not for her own sake,
help ceuntenancing, as much as silence
could, Biddy's mysterious presence.
| haven't time to give you all the partlc-
ulars, but having made so good a beginning,
with true Irish facility, Biddy established
| herself in very short time completely in
| the graces of the old man. He had a lurk-
ing likeness for ncatness and order, and
Mrs Shelenbsrger-pUor lady-wasn't a
very tidy housekeeper. Under the new reign
order grew out Of chaos; the house seemed
in holiday garb all the time, and an atmOs-
phere OF social cheerfulness pervsded every
thing.
One morning had said something
abont leaving the day before-tbe old man
ended grumbling complaint to Anson with
al never see no good come of sddication
yet. If hadn't been for that college bust
Tess you might have taken liking to a SEN
sible girl, aud she to you" He glanced at
Biddy as he spoke, She turned scarlet, and
came near dropping the dish she was hold
ing. 1t was not the first time Anson had
heard such insinuations, and he rather en-.
joyed them.
"See here, father" he said, roguishly,
"just you pick me out a wife, and see what
will come of it. "
"The only girl know of, worth having,
won't have you. | dare say-would you,
Biddy?" Joel said grumbliDg, but sudden
ly turning TO the girl. -
Anson was smiling maliciously. Bridget
O'Flynn had kept Barbic's lover at most
tantalizing and unrelenting distance all this
time. He was taking his revenge now
Making desperate effort, Biddy raised her
confused senses to say, with considerable
self possession. .
"Shure, sir, an it isn't mesilf that'll be
afther havin' any mon till I'm asked.
Biddy, will you have mef" said hnson,
gravely, extending his hand.
Z" | will that now, said Biddy. promptly
putting her hand in his, while old Joel came
near choking with amazement. 1t was too
late to recede, however, whether he had
really wished such thing or not, as they
soon made him understand. He went out
of doors presently and privately pinched
himself to ascertain if he were in his senses
or not. Seeing the two standing by the
window in close conversation soon after, he
crept with the same laudable intention to-
ward them, under the cover of the bushes
that grew by the house.
Now, Barbie, " Anson was saying laugh
ingly, what is to be done nextf must
say you've managed wonderfully so far but
what do you suppose he'll say when he
knows you are not Biddy at all?"
Not Biddy at all screamed Joel
Skellenbarger, struck with sudden sus-
picion of he knew not what, as he started
out of his covert
There stood Biddy, the white frill of her
close cap as immense as ever. She laughed
though, when she saw him, and deliberately
taking off her cap, shook her bright curls
all over her face, and reaching toward him
her little hand, said, archls: "Shure, sir,
an ye won't be afther hatln' poor girl be-
cause her names Barbie Halstead instead
of Biddy o, Flynn.
"You-you Professor Halstead's girl {"
q Professor Halstesd is nay father, sir, 7"
said Barbie in her natural tones.
Whats that 2"
Barbie repeated 1t. .,.
"And you re not Irish ?"
"Niver bit 7" ...,
The old man stood q moment, clouds gath
ering in his face
"Wsll, Auson," he said, rather surlily,
"you We outwitted me again-much good
may it do you. You'd better get out the
horses now, and take Halstead's girl home.
He must want to see her by this time. d"
Eyes, sir. " And Anson colored with
mingled anger and amusement
Barbie did not change countenance, how
ever. Extending that pretty hand of hers
again, she said, sweetly, you'll shake
hands with me, sir?"
Joel Shellenbarger turned back and gave
his hand awkwardly. The girl took it in
both of hers, bending her bright, arch face,
toward him, and saying, II shall come back
some time, sir. Will you be glad to see
me?"
Joel hummed and yawned, and stammer,
ed out at last, Yes, yes; come back, Biddy
i mean Miss o Flynn mean Miss"
Barbie, " suggested the girl, quietly.
"Yes, come back and the sooner the
better. There, Anson, make the most
ont Il"
Barbie did come back in very few weeks
too, and nobody was gladder to see her than
old Joel, though he was little shy at first
of Professor Halstead's girl. She soon
made him forget, however, everything save
that she was Anson's wife; and the way he
humored the sly puss to sundry grants of
money, refurnishing and repairs, &C., |
couldn't begin to ellyou. But I'd like you
to see the Shellenbsrger place since Barbie
has gone there to live.