The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-10-21
you what I mean. and know you'll
think it lovely"

, you what I mean. and I know you
think it lovely"
Il Entirely mollifed by this view
things, Carrie gave up such a fractl'
Of mind as she possessed to the consi
GRAFTON Of the important theme. Fran
looked amiably unconscious of any forn
er unpleasantness, and Mrs. LoI,
smiled sweetly at the restoration
family peace. Tom was not often tai
en- into consideration 10 the family a
rangements. BE was apt to be late te
tea, and that meal was never waited O
his account. no now appeared, ao
dropping into his place with a word {
greeting for the assembly, Looked o:e
at Esther anxiously.
| II heard you was sick at dinner
he said "1'm glad it was only for a
hour or two."
ut was nothing at ALL" said Esthe,
"but we are too anxious see you abou
the Fenleys, they are going to give
party, which is such an odd thing 70
them to do.
"Yes," said Tom, slowly, and will
an apparent effort at recollection. s.Tou
Fenley was telling me about it. Their
are two visitors-a brother aud siste
fran Cuba, they've been visiting ther,
it seems, though they put up at hotel
Let me sec-their names Barretto
Isabel aud Manuel Barretto. Spanish
by descent, and Cuban by BIRTH"
"Uncle Woodleigh gave them an
introduction to the Fenleys, did Tom
tell you that ?" asked Frank.
"Why, yes, believe he did," said
Tom slowly, and he added after a mo-
mentary consideration of bis brothers
face, "they're connexions of lis, in fact
they're bis wife's children BY her FIRST
husband, and immensely wealthy, and
they inherited every dollar of their
mothers property"
Frank set down the cup he vas rais-
ing to his lips and looked with vide
oyeu eyes upon his brothers face.
Suddenly catching himself short he
took long draugbt of the tea, and
seemed to strive to control his features
"Then uncle Woodleigh did not fall
heir to all his wife's wealth." cried
Carrie, really becoming excited, "aud
he has nothing but his own little for
tune to leave to any one.'
"Uncle Wcodleigh always was eccen-
trio, and We know he likes joke," said
Tom, quietly.
Esther said nothing, but she looked
from one to the other as if in surprise
and at loss to account for the altered
expression Of the faces around her.
Presently, no more being said, she look
ed httlo uneasily towards her aunt,
aud faltered,
"You surely don't think uncle Wood
leigh behaved deceittully IN concealing
The existence of these relatives-per-
haps he meant them as a surprise to
us.''
Not one word further did Frank Ut
ter, but he rose hastily, and taking up
The evening paper affected to be absorb
ID In its contents without allowing his
eyes to rest on word it contained.
Mrs. Loder:: sat back in her chair aud bit
her lips nervously without raising her
eyes from the tea tray-but Tom first
looking from one to the other, and then
resting his glance on Carrie, who with
'ut penetration enough to understand
Rhether she was injured or otherwise,
Selt generally discomposed at the news,
burst out into hearty peal of laughter,
md with apparently keen enjoymen:
If the family quandary, left the room.
eff one only knew what to do about
it," said Mrs. Loder to her niece next
lay "it We could decide whether it is
best to receive them rapturously or
show them the cold shoulder it would
be such a relief. Frank is more unsat-
sfactory on the subject then I ever
knew him, and Tom will do nothing
but laugh ike an IDIOT"
"Poor fellow, he has so little relax
alton, that when he finds anything anus
ing he bursts out, sometimes little
foolishly, I think. I can't see the
slightest reason for his present amuse-
ment, but he seems to feel that it il cx-
oeedingly entertaining"
~ have just seen the dressmaker
about the trimmings for the rose-color-
I'd dress," said Carrie, coming in las
tily, "and as I cannot quite give her
the idea, please come, Esther, and ex-
plain"
"Certainly, in one moment-but let
me ask you, aunt, will it be necessary
for me to have new dress; l believe
our engagement is announced, aud
Frank may consider it ooly a compll-
ment to him that l should look my
best :? All, here he is, aud I'll let him
decide. Shall have to wear ANYTHING
extraordinarily nice on Thursday,
Frank ?"
The young gentleman sho addressed
looked up little confuscdly at the free,
con6ding tone of her appeal-and after
an iustant's embarrassment, said has
tily and coldly:
ri could never pretend to decide in
such weighty matter as lady's ward