Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-07-07

VIC LOU BIRD Sitt u %DEthuSiF
This tcds kind, but why til re should
come to the faces Of these t, happy
cousins such blank look Of sudden mis-
cry, none could define but themselves.
Certainly Miss Tiggs could rot, for this
elderly young lady as proverbially short
of sight, and desperately fought against
the use Of glasses except in the retiracy of
her own room. Therefore it was that the
blank look must have escaped her notice,
though Walter felt that she had read to
their very hearts cores when, few mo-
ments afterward and before their speech
was restored, she said in grave and altered
tone of voice:
''Walter, you can go up stairs for half an
hour. wish to have some talk with your
cousin" (She certainly did emphasize
cousin" y "He can go with me to my
room, and | will ring when | want YOU"
And so these two happy cousins sepa-
rated, each feeling like detected felons led
20 their punishment
We shall follow Katie to Miss Tiggs'
room, where they arrived without word
spoken on either side. 1t was a very droll
beginning that Miss Tiges made toward
! having 'some talk" Firstly she turned
the gas, which had been burning brightly
| to so low point that there was something
less than dim religious light in the
room; and secondly, she went deliberately
to a closet, and bringing forth bottle la.
beled "Sherry" and two glasses, and mo-
tioning for her companion TO do the same
I.she quietly emptied one of them. This
was an extraordinary rejection for Miss
TigPs and only INDUCED in on momentous
occasions, as the recipient of the hospital
It's knew, thougs only by hearsay. This
disposed off, sbs settled herselfin large
easy chair and motto a her ci-deuant
nephew to a seat at her + ~; then, without
further pyelimiuaries, she opened on the
trembling girl.
Robert" says Miss Tiqgs, 81 have
much to say to you and feel that | must
say it tonight before I sleep"
Robert !" says Katie to herself "Then
she has not detected me.
"For, resumed Miss Tiggs, ''theres no
knowing what night or day may bring
forth
Katie thought so too.
while YOU were away from me, Robert,
did no, feel the importance OF this as
do now, bu, seeing you have brought it all
to my mind, and feel that you must and
ought to know it. "
Katie did not feel so sure of that but
was afraid to dissent.
Il am going now to tell you some part
of my past life: but while | want this
known to yourself so that in case of my
death you will know how to act, while am
living you must keep II always secret
locked in your own breast"
Oh dear what was Katie Dillon to do
now? Here was some fearful revelation
coming that she did not want, and which
she was to be sworn to keep. There was
no help for it; hear it she must Miss
llggs went on
Robert, the world, even to my own re-
latives, has always considered me unmar-
RED This is not true, / have been mar
ried. and you are my child Oh horrors
for Katie Dillon to sit there and listen to
such confession, which she knew was not
intended for her cars She buried her face
in her hands while Miss Tiggs burst into a
succession Of sobs.
"AIy poor boy, / don't wonder you hide
your face for shame OF your mother. And
yet it is all true At an age when | should
have been thinking of anything else for !
had reached thirty-fye-I loved your
father and married him. He was my Eng.
lish teacher and for fear of the worlds
opinion kept the marriage secret
How Katie did squirm on the little stool
Mt the good lady's feet and how guilty she
felt i'll listening to all this but she could
not speak, for her tongue Glove to the root
of her mouth.
"Tbree months after we were married,
my poor Robert, your father left me for
few weeks to go home and close his old
parent eyes, and | never saw him again.
The vessel IN which lie sailed was never
heard OF.
Katie sobbed aloud, and buried her face
in Miss Tiggs lap half in shame at her de-
ceit and half in sympathy; for she dearly
loved her adopted mother, and felt her sor-
rows were her own,
shortly after you were born, and from
that time have always passed you off as
my nephew, though ! knew it vas wrong;
yet now that it has gone on SO long, il must
90 on until ny death, "
"Oh, oh, oh Miss Leonora" sobbed
Katie, Jumping to her feet. u am such
wicked girl to be sitting here listening to
all this, but declare ! didn't know what
was coming till it was all said 1 declare I
didn't Oh. indeed am not SO wicked as
! look. hope you'll forgive me- Oh, dear
Oh dear"
Miss Tiggs didn't scream. She just got
up as quietly as though she were going to
her breakfast turned up the gas to its full
height, opened bureau drawer, put on a
pair Of spectacles and surveyed the trem-
bling and crying Katie from head to foot;
and having finished the inspection, only
CALCULATED, well, well !" and sat down.
Now it WAS Katie's turn to talk, and talk
she did The whole story ran glibly of
her tongue. Her great love for Walter,her
despair at not being able 10 see him; the
plot to reach that end even for few
hours, Drawing punishment aud peril; her
sorrow at being made the recipient Of Miss
Tgqs secret, when she thought her dis
quise had ueeu discovered and q lsproot
about 20 b- administered AL this came m
q storm Of words, mixed up with sobs and
tears; and yet Miss Iiggs only sat aud