The Lincoln County herald., 1870-12-22

"In French calico and . white apron
Go up stairs and put ou your black elk
dress Immediately, and wear the garnet
set your father gave you your last birth
day" '.s -
May obeyed unwilliugly enough; but
when she came down stairs there was
new brightness in her eye, an unwon'ed
color on her chock. Squire Fleetwood,
who was awaiting her appearance 10 the
big easy chair, with . purple. faced con
tent,neut chuck led to himself at her fresh
young beauty; and Mrs Carroll mentally
came TO the conclusion that May had
resolved to "behave like = sensible girl.
She was more mistaken. however, than
she had any idea of. Cupid. the mis-
chicvous little imp Of true love, had been
invisibIy conuseling Mademoiselle May 10
the quiet and seclusion Of her own apart
meut up stairs, and May had profted by
his hints.
"Tm suro we girls would have little
enough chance in this world" poutcd
May Carroll, "if We didn't have resource
to our wits once in q while u
She was all smiles and dimplcs aud
winning words, as Squire Fleetwood
trundled heavily along by bor side, and
that portly gallant racked his brains for
some appropriate conversation to amuse
the third Mrs Fleetwood that was to be.
nhe Squire wiped his beet red brow
and secretly wished he had read Moore
and Byron in his younger days. so as to
be able to converse agreeably with q
prettv girl of eighteen.
"Ihat's the house," be said at last,
pointing to the gable end Of the Peck
wood mansion, peeping through mass Of
elm boughs. As Miss Carroll had been
familiar with the neighborhood for eigh'
teen years, she replied with some acer'
b,ty,
II know that, Squire Fleetwood !"
"How will you like it for your future
home?"
II don't know may like it vel
enough" answered May indifferently
"but 1t has cot to be altered very much.
Squire Peck woods ;ubilant counte
nance ie |. To him the family homo o
the Peckwoods was a modern Mecca,
sacred spot, fautless in its perfection
aud susceptible of no possible improve
ment.
"Altered - he echoed. "How p
THAT horrid old elm tree must be Gu
down first" said May. with disparagin
motion of her parasol toward it. Il
shades everything T.
THAT elm tree, ma am said Squir
Fleetwood. huskily, was planted b
Moses Fleetwood, ma am, my great granc
father. 1t is known ma am rs the Peck
wood Elm +
at must make the house as damp as
vault" said May, "and | don't wond'
that your TWO first wives died. Th
Peck wood Elm must bc cut dow
Ubedl'
1t was the first time she had ev'
called him by his christian name, yet
- did not sound sweet in Squire lockwood
-. ears.
as as "Hvw narrow this hall is T. said MI
w. pettshly. as the Squire threw open Il
''s front door and sleLtly motoued her
=. enter. "Csntit be wdeucd? And on
y" one snuffy little parlor!'
w. at was good enough for Susan Emer
", the first Mrs. Fleetwood" cried t
''' Squire ira,ely "nor did Alicia Jane
:, second wife, ever venture to object to it
''u "rhey must have been milk and wat
y. sort of people" said May, irrooerentl
"e Dear me, Obed, l never can live he
:, The two rooms must be thrown into oil
with an arch across the center y ....
'a'' You can. do it; the chimney s'a
is between. .......
le ,.o Put the chimney stack somewhs
Nv else u .......,. .... ...
ck. That would be equivalent to buildi
: a new house" groaned Squire Peekwo'
inc "Well suppose We do, Obed 2 cr
aed May, suddenly grasping at this no
- idea. "a new house would DO periec
A.; delightful; . Gothic cottage. with orr
no. mental grounds just on the slope OF
hill o. q Swiss chalet with dear lii
balconies and pointed caves. LIN sur
never should he contented with this
er's she'll Of a house /, 4,.. a..r., no..
;hv ">lrs. Peck-I mean Miss CAIRO
ths slowly euunciated the Squire, I'm
~" made of coined gold, consequently ca
us,l aE I'd to build. May | ask what y
mr. rational objections can be to this boust
,te, Ut isn't Dig enough" said May, v
md a toss of her ue eGant little head. i.a
aiat .Not big enough |! There are thirt
lher rooms, besides q very good cemen
~ oellsr.". ar.--a a. .r
,red s"I dare say but you see, I'm
ar going to live like a Eole, burrowing
iven solitude and dsrkness. shall 6ll
the house with company the very first thit
hose There was speculative CLEAN
who Squire Peck GOODS grayish green orb
aud May Carroll spoke. ~ -siHH -,
do you mean to take summer bo'
ght, ers? A good plan, very" -.
cart, NO. said May abruptly. "l n
50 to nothing of the sort, | mean ant
yard company my cousins and friepds---
lnire are to stay here rs long as l can cont
Y - In ,nak a II r,lauss mt for than. -Of CO.