The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-13
SELECTED STORY.
How [ Was Captured.


l took it mechanically. What did this
mean?
She pouted-ah! those cherry lips!-she
stamped her little No. 1 impatiently on the
floor.
''You don't seem very glad to see me-" she
said, pettishly.
1 murmured that I was delghted-entran-
ced. So l was-such visions were not OF
everyday occurrence tome.
''Well," said she, gleefully, "thats COM
fort! Now, they told me that you wouldn't
receive me-that l would be turned out OF
DOORS"
''Reptiles p' said 1.
''But came-and you are not angry@
''Angry~
l could say no more.
Then she walked up and down the room.
Chow do you like my dressY' she asked,
revolving before me as if on pivot.
Imurmured something about angelic SUI
perbness."
81 did intend" she said, half doubtfully,
s'to get dress of gray satinteen, with the
underskirt cut as usual, and trimmed with
deep plaiting-the spaces to be filled with
bias folds above the plaitings in band of
velvet silk-the overskirt quite short in front,
and square-the side cores rounded up fonr
inches longer, and looped up into jonnier.
That, with pretty little saque with open
sleeves, trimmed to match the undertakes
would be nice, wouldn't it?"
I murmured an unqualified assent-nOt
that / understood what she was talking about,
for she uttered the full description in one
breath; but then didn't know what l was
saying.
'But," said she; II bought this Marseilles
because like it. Don't you?"
Il admire your taste" said family; for
was fast losing my senses, though wondering
as to who and what she was.
':You're dear, good felloww said she, rap
turously; "and l know We'll get on famously
together"
So she intended to stay here! Twas getting
into very deep water.
Snow, them" she continued, 'show me
some place to put my things, and then you
and will have talk.'
mechanically pointed out small room,
opening out of the library. She hurried in.
sat like statue carved from adamant.
Deeper water.
Presently she returned, Invested of little
hat, pongee, and kids.
She cast a searching glance around the Ii
brary
''Horrid dirty r'she said disdainfuly, ''when
has it been cleanedP'
"About year agor' said meekly. 8
She gave vent to pretty little scream.
ga year! Shocking! Oh, 1 couldn't sit
down in aroom that hadn't been cleaned for
ayear! This must be put to rights
She said this in very determined tone,
and went to work. She converted my linen
coat into an apron, tied cunning little hand
kerchief over that pretty head, and snatching
up the fy-duster, busted away valiantly-
raised a cloudof dust in which Isat gazing on
the vision? What did all this mean? con-
suited Moliere, my standing authority, but
Moliere could give no explanation. Could
she be an angel, sent to cast ray of light
over a dismal path of life. Perhaps! but did
angels wear white Marseilles, and talk about
satinteens and jonniers? Impossible! 1t
must be dream. . ..
She suddenly paused, and came to me
through the cloud, and held out her arms,
and said: -r3
'.Ron up my sleeves, please. can work
better with them up"
did roll the while sleeves up, and then
Immediately secuted the idea of its being
dream. Couldn't dream of such arms, with
beautiful dimple in each elbow.
Certainly not! They were real! did not
think that sculptor would have been proud
to have them for model, because was NOR
ally certain that any sculptor would have
been distracted at the sight, and have drop
ped his chisel, despairing of ever doing them
justice.
And then she busted, and while she busted
she sang. What voice! Don't mention
Nilsson-I won't hear of it.
down beside me, having first removed the
handkerchief and the improvised apron
Then she shook her curls and addressed me:
"My dear uncle, let us have TALK
Her uncle! If my heart had suddenly
changed to lump of lead, it couldn't have
sunk any quicker than it did then.
''You KNOW" she continued, ''that you
wrote me letter saying that you considered
it best for me to stay at the farm, until you
wrote again. But, then, l didn't want to
stay; L felt SO lonely away out there, hardly
seeing new face once amOnth, for the twelve
years L have been therefor you know you
left me there when | was six years old. Well,
l thought would come up to the city, so |
took the fifty dollars and bought this suit
Mrs. Marsh picked it out for me. You know
she has been in the city. and so L came; and
you are not angry are you? Because, if you
whip
My feelings during this brief speech had
been very painful. gradually awoke to the
fact that it was all blunder-that the visit
of this angel was not intended for me, and
felt very bitter over the discovery; but my du-
ty was plain.
''My deer child" said 1, humbly, twill you
have the kindness to inform me what your.
name is ?''
She opened her eyes and then laughed.
''Why," she said, surely you cannot have
forgotten me? Little Bess, you know"
''Little Bess?" repeated
Bessie Ludlow she said, gravely "Your
niece"
''No," said I, sadly; mot my niece.
have no niece! There has been some error.
My name is Floyd
"1hen," said she, s'you are nv uncle
Mr.. Richard Floyd. saw the name on the
door, and came in. Now you do remember
me, don't you?"
'.Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Ludlow"
said L, calmly, ''but L am not your uncle
You saw the name of r. Floyd on the door:
my name is Robert
Them" said she, helplessly, "where is my
uncle ?"
/ felt. bound to confess my ignorance,
whereat she sat looking incredulous. l ex-
planned that, strange as it might seem, did
not know everybody personally who happen
ed to rejoice in the same surname as myself
"But," said 1, cheerfully, seeing her look
blank, 1--WE can soon find out. Here is a di-
rectory, Now, your uncle's name is Richard
Floyd?'
"Yes.''
''His occupation or profession?'
'Eh?
''What does he do for a living?"
Nothing. He's rich-awful richv'
"Ah! gentleman? Behold! two Richard
Floyds, both gentlemen. Let us hope they
are. Now, get ready and We'll go and find
your uncle"
She stood by my side in the street, and
looked ten times more bewitchng than ever.
We walked along the streets, and how male |
friends stared, and wondered and enyied me. |
We found the first Mr.. Floyd Just stepping
into his carriage in front of his house. He |
was big, pompous and vulgar. tapped him
on the shoulder.
"Your niece, Mr.. Floyd" 1 said. and I
commenced to explain, when he cut me
short.
Nothing of the kind-not nv niece. an
adventures no doubt You're a swindler. |
suppose. Drive on
inwardly vowed to assassinate that man
some dark night. My companion grasped her
pongee fiercely.
"Oh, could beat himr' she said sayaeelv
trembed at this outburst.
but, however," she said, laughing sstbat,s
not my uncle. He's very quiet man.
saw him about eleven years ago He only
came to see me Once-I suppose because Pm
a poor relation
Here she laughed as if being poor relation
was something funny-which isn't.
Then we tried the second Mr. Floyd. he
was the uncle. We found him reading a
book of sermons.
l accosted him, introduced myself and his
his niece. Then | explained everything and
turned to CO.
He stopped, me and inquired if would do
him favor.
answered that would.
linen, SAID he, calmly sttal<e this vorno