The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-10-04

with permission to keep Juliet will
her.
"She is all I have, SIR" said tn,
housskecpcr, apologctically; "and she
will try to be useful about the
house"
"How old is she?" asked Mr.
Avenel.
Fifteen, SIR
"Well, let her stay" said the
widower, good humoredly. "She'l eat
no more than chicken, and dare say
she can do a great many odd things
about the place.
Mrs. Hawkhurst proved herself an
executive ofliccress of the greatest
ability. Gradually the ''chaos and old
night" Of the Avenel Place was re-
duced to system and order. The
wheels Of housekeeping revolved so
softly that no one knew they moved,
yet these were the results. You scarce
ever saw the housekeeper glide around
the halls, yet the servants declared her
omnipreseut. Mr. Avenel found him.
self actually the inhabitant of q home
once more as the years slowly passed
away.
lie was sitting on a piazza, ond day,
smoking his cigar, and watching the
graceful movements Of Juliet Hawk
hurst, as she was planting training
vines in marble vase that occupied
the center of the lawn, when Mrs
Marley came out.
"a nice evening, SIR" said Mrs
Marley. "Oh there she is!''
"Who?" Mr.. Ayenel asked,
"Why, that foolish child, Juliet"
answered the old lady, sharply. 81
ha'nt no patience with her. that l
ha'nt"
"What has she been doing now?"
asked the widower, with an amused
look.
"Why, she's refused Ben. Nichols
eldest son, as likely and beforchanded
a young fellar as there is in the
country"
Mr.. Avenel started.
"Hen. Nichols! Why. Mrs. Marley,
she is only child"
"She's seventeen next week." nod
ded Mrs. Marley, and it's high time she
thought Of settling.'
MIR. Avenel looked across to where
Juliet stood in her pink gingham dress,
tho soft summer wind stirring her curls
and her cheeks as softly tinted as the
standard rose on the lawn. Seyenteen!
Was it possible that little Juliet Hawk
hurst had grown to be seventeen years
old? Oh, relentless time, that would
not stand still! Oh, cruel years, that
went by and stole the fair brightness Of
childhood away! So, Ben. Nichols had
actually asked Juliet Hawkhurst to he
his wife!
II wish you and Harry'd talk seri-
ously to her bout it," went on Mrs
Marley. '''Taint likely she ii
hev any more such chances as
that"
"No, to be sure not" said Mr.
Ayenel, abstractedly.
s.And o course she'd oughter think
it over well," added Mrs. Marley.
80 certainly-to be sure!"
When Harry Avenel came home
FROM the city that evening he found his
uncle in brown study.
"Harry," quoth the widower.
"Yes, uncle"
"I'ye been thinking"
$50 should conclude, sir, from the
H-shaped wrinckle between your
brows." laughed the young merchant
"Well, and what has been the
topic Of your meditations, Uncle
Joe!'
"Nhy, l was thinking what would
become of US If Mrs. Hawkhurst were
to take it into her head to leave
u.s."
Harry opened wide his merry, hazel
eyes at the idea.
"What made you think of such a
thing, sir?" he asked.
"Oh, don't know. She has good
place here; but one couldn't expect hel
to be coutentel with housekeeper'i
situation always. Harry"
"No; to be cure not.
"She has become very essential te
our domestic happiness, Harry" went
on Mr.. Avenel.
"Yes-I grant you that, Uncle
joe"
"And l really don't know how We
could manage to exist without her."
"Raise her salary. uncle" suggested
Harry.
.'No. 1 hardly think that would
answer my purpose; but, Harry
"Well, uncle!''
! Mr.. Avenel looked slightly sheep