National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-06-07
90, certninlY-to be sure y

20 should conclude, SIR, from the /
shaped wrinkle between your brows
laughed the young merchant. "Wel
and what has been the topic Of your met
itations, Uncle Joc?"
"Why, was thinking what would bC
come of US if Mrs. llawkhurst were I
take IT into her head to leave us"
Harry opened wide bis merry hazel eye
at the idea.
"Wbat made you think Of such thing
sir ?" he asked
"Oh, don't know. She has goo
place here; but one couldn't expect he
to be contented w;.l . ho"-~'---, -'.-
alton always, Harry "
"No, to be sure not"
"She has been very essential to on
domestic happiness, Harry" went on Nh
Ayencl.
"Ycs-I grant you that, Uncle joe"
"And | really don't know how we coul'
manage to exist without her"
"Ralse her salary, nncle,' suggested
Harry.
"No, hardly think that would answer
my purpose; but, Harry"
"Well, uncle ?"
Mr.. Avenel looked slightly shecpish.
"Can't you imagine any other way o
keeping her here ?' he asked.
Harry stared at bis uncle. Mr.. Avene
felt isrosed to give him hearty shake
for his stupidity
sudden dawnng of lucldity over the dark
ness of his brain. You don't mean
matrmoney, uncle =
"Ycs, do !" quoth Mr. Avencl, stoutly
"Wou'd you object, Harry 2"
uncle p
"Because you are the only person inter
ested besides myself-and her"
My greatest interest, uncle, is to see
you happy" the young man answered,
wringlng the elders hand. "And-it |,
too, should conclude to marry at no very
distant day"
"Why, then" cried Mr.. Avcnel galy,
we can all live together, just as we do
now, and be the happlest family in the
world -
And he went into the house, whistlng,
as he went "John Anderson, My Jo
John, as blithely as a boy OF sixteen.
Juliet llawkhurst was standing by the
little side garden eate that evening,
thoughtfully watching over her right
shoulder, of course, the slender silver cres-
cent Of the new moon. Juliet had crl
tainly blossomed into perfect little rose
of maiden, during the years ,he had been
an inmate Of Avenel place. She WAS fair
haired and rosy, with long eyelashes, deep
blue eyes full of shadowd purple CLEANS,
and complexion like rosc-colored satin: :
81 tbarn ~ lar
movement, a self possessed grace and dig
nity of mein, that was inexpressibly
charming. Juliet Hawkhurst had been
born for lady, but untoward fate Lad
made housekcrpers daughter Of her.
As she stood there, leaning over the iron
rail Of the gate, footstep sounded behind
her
outlet p
She turned with little rose blush and
smile she iain would have concealed, and
Harry Averel came up and stood close
beside her.
Little eli. you thought you had hidden
away from me, but YOU see | have con-
triycd to find you out, even here What
makes You blush, and get SO confused p
"Do F And Juliet fixed her gaze very
steadlastly on the green turf at her feet.
where single yellow dandelion was clos
ing its eye of downy gold for the night.
Listen !" cried Harry trimphantly.
" I've got piece Of news tor YOU
"What is IT ~
"Wkat sbould you think of stepfather,
eh little one ?
Juliet looked up, this time, in real and
genuine astonishment.
"a stepfather, Harry p
"My uncle has confded to me this
evening that he thinks of marrying, Juliet,
none other that your mother. So, when
we are married, there will be nice little
ia anily circle OF us, eh ?"
And the audacious young man beltcd |
her slender waist with bis arm, aid ven
tured to draw her little closer to him.
"Oh, but Harry, you are all wrong"
cried Juliet, crimsoning and smiling like a
June flower. "I-l meant to tell YOU of |
it, but somehow the words would not come |
to my lips. Your uncle told me also that |
he had concluded to marry again, and
he asked me to be his wife,
"The-mischief he did l'' cried Harry,
starting back as if some one had struck |
him blow. "You Why, Juliet, you
are young enough to be his daughter ~
"Perhaps am" said Juliet, meekly.
"And what did you tell him +? You ac-
,epted him, of course He is rich and |
am poor, and all the girls like gold"
larry y
"Tcll me quickly, Juliet" he cried,
almost passionately "Don't keep me
onger IN suspense"
81 told him. Juliet answered i0no-
,ently, "tbat had already promised to
marry you"
"My little dove ~ and Harry Averel's
lark face frightened into sunshine once
gain. "And you were right, for May
md November never yet were happily
mated. My uncle is an old fool; and yet
can't blame him, Juliet, when look at
-our sweet face"
The countenance of Mr.. Avenel was
lightly confused when he met his nephew
It the breakfast table the next morning,
,ut, further than that, there were no signs
# the discontinue he had undergone. He
ave Juliet an exquisite set of wedding
Dearls when she was married, and con-
.ratulated Harry after very cordial fash ,
on. But he never proposed to Mrs. Hawk
lurst, and as she had never expected any
hing of the sort no harm was done. -,
And everything goes on at Avenel place
precisely as it ought to do. Mr.. Avenel
,eeps his housekeeper, and Harry has
aimed wife.