Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-02-17

i will explain thought the bewildered
Major, breaking into n cold perspiration.
! Yes, he began aloud, but Il
| you'll show me the ring, won't you p
coaxed Grace, as if with n sudden thought,
| That's darling for of course you have
! got it in your vest pocket. And. what have
| you brought for Clara An India shawl
of course and hope it's very, rery splen-
did, for there's nothing in all the world
too good for our Clara
Grace said the Major, confdentially
taking her hand in his, Il want to tell YOU
something. It's very awkward, but it
really isn't my fault, and I'm sure you
will forgive me when you come 10 hear how
entirely have been tho victim of circum-
| Stances
Grace's blue eyes grew big; her cherry
! lips parted-what could it be Z?
We'll, she calculated, breathlcssly.
I'm not Cousin John at all = said the
major with jerk. It's mistake I'm
Major Parkinson
'You-are- observation-disclosures Y
NO, I'm nothing Of the sort said our
Major, visibly Frightening up. but
know john Aiilward very well. I came
over with him in the Ghundaree, and if
he's your Cousin John. you've got n splcn-
did fellow for n cousin!'
And then the Major told Grace Just ex-
actly how II happened, and she blushed
aud laughed, and wondered how they could
all have beetr SO stupid, and confessed that
after all, sls didn't think he had been 50
very much toibamc y
| Except tliat you ou9htn't to have kissed
me back so heartily, Grace added, maIici-
ously.
i won't next time, said the Major, hum
bly,.
| But fifteen years in 1ndia--it would of
course, alter any one so completely she
said 'and what can have become of the
rca! John p
! She conducted him back to the rarlor.
where he made his excuses rs tluenty as
! he could Grandma was little Inclined
to be offended Mt first, and Stephen, mus
cular young man, muttered some half inau
| dible words about punching the Majors
/ head for him. But fuller explanations re-
stored a friendly feeling once more. and the
| pater tamilas, sensible man, insisted on
| the Major remaining.
! For lfyOu are not our cousin John, YOU
| came over in the same steamer with him,
and that ought to insure you n welcome.
| he said checrily. 80 sit down, sit down,
! Major. You are the rich East India nabob,
! then, who has bought the house next door?
| We've teased Gracia a good deal about set
ting he cap for the new neighbor, haven't
We.GraCie p
Papa demonstrated Oracle, coloripg
up as bright rs scarlet as ilamingo's wing.
I'm glad to make your acquaintance,
went on the comfortable old gentleman,
| even if the manner isn't quite 80 formal,
as etiquette books insist on My name ia
Curcy-reter Corey-and now let me in.
troducc you to our family circle and fricnds.'
| SO in less than five minutes, tho Major,
entirely free from the trammels of his ialsc
position, was made cordially Mt home, in
the merry party and exceedingly snug and
jolly he found it.
Presently ring at the door bell announ-
ced a new arrival, and the real genuine
consiu John rushed in, all aglow with his
rapid walk, and dripping from head to foot
with rain drops.
Had no end OF trouble at the custom
house with my luggage--coudn't come Il
second sooner !! be explained, hugginL
grandma and Clara, and Grace all at once
with two or three little ones swarming ovcl
his back and legs the while. why hallOa
Major Parkinson, how the deuce came 90,
here = Then OF course cnsued n third edi
ton Of explanations and comments, aut
then they were mcrricr than ever.
'OfcoLrse the Major will stay here criet
Mr., Corey, when finally his guest made f
move to go. Tonight, at least y
OF course. of course y echoed John Nil
ward. Mustn't he, Grace y
He must do as he pleases,' said tEa
young lady demurely.
Yes, said the Major, I will And ht
sat down again.
Major Parkinson attended the wcddin.
the next week, and he helped TO dccorat,
the drawing room with flowers, and he car
ricd chairs back and forth, and won't on
errands, losing himself invariably. on thpi
way, and he sent the bride a solid silver tci
service, and altogether he made himself s,
useful that Mrs. Corey said, feeiugly:
What should We have done without that
dear MaiOr?'
Grace, the gipsey, insisted on calling bin
cousin John just the same rs ever but
/ from all appearance :here will be another
wedding before the year is out in the Corey
family, and Mayor Parkinson's brown stone
bousc will be graced by the mistress who
was-iirst seen by the Major in the wrong
house.