Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-08-23

4
hood away So Ben Nichols has actually
asked Juliet Hawkhurst to be his wife
Il wish you and Harry'd talk serious
to her bout it," went on Mrs. Marley
"'Taint likely she'll hev any more such
chances as that"
"No; to be sure not" said Avenel
abstractedly.
"And o course she ought to think it
over well, added Mrs. Marley.
30, certainly-to be surel"
When Harry Avenel came home from
the city that evening, he found his uncle
in brown study.
Harry" quoth the widower.
Yes, uncle"
"Tve been thinking"
$50 1 should conclude sir, from the
H-shaped wrinkle between your brows,"
laughed the young merchant. Well,
and what has been the topic of your
meditations, Nncle Joe p
"Why, l was thinking what would be-
come 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
thing, sir p he asked.
"Oh, | don't know. She has good
place here; but one couldn't expect her
to be contented with housekeeper's sit
uation always, Harry"
No, to be sure not"
"She has become very essential to our
domestic happiness, Harry" went on
Mr.. Avenel.
Yes-l 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, | hardly think it would answer
my purpose but, Harry
Well, uncle p
Cant you imagine any other way of
keeping her here ?" he asked,
Harry stared at his uncle Mr.. Ave-
mel felt disposed to give him hearty
shake for his stupidity.
"Ohp' cried the young man, with
sudden dawning of lucidity over the
darkness of his brain. "You don't
mean matrimony, uncle ?"
Yes, | dol" quoth Mr.. Avenel,
stoutly. Would you object, Harry ?"
81, uncle ?"
Because you are the only person in
terested besides myse,f-and her."
NY greatest interest, uncle, is to see
you happy" the young man answered,
wringing the elders hand. And-if I,
too, should conclude to marry at no very
distant day"
Why, them" cried Mr.. Avenel, gai-
ly, we can all live together, just as we
do now, and be the happiest family in
the world"
And he went into the house, whistling
as he went John Anderson, my 10,
john" as blithely as boy of sixteen.
Juliet Hawkhurst was standing at the
little garden gate that evening, thought
fully watching, over her right shoulder,
of course, the slender silver crescent of
the new moon. Juliet had certainly
blossomed into perfect little rose of q
maiden during the years she had been
an inmate of Avenel Place. She was
fair haired and rosy, with long eyelash-
es, deep blue eyes full of shadowy purple
CLEANS, and complexion like rose col
ored satin and, moreover, there was in
her every movement q selfpossessed
grace and dignity of mien that was in
expressibly charming. Juliet Hawk
hurst had been born lady, but unto
ward fate had made her housekeeper's
daughter.
"Julet p
She turned with little rose bush and
smile she fain would have concealed,
and Harry Avenel came up and stood
close beside her.
Little elf, you thought you had hid
den away from me, but you see / have
contrived to find you out even here.
What makes you blush, and look SO
confused ?'
"Do II" And Juliet fixed her gaze
very steadfastly on the green turf at her
feet, where a single yellow dandelion
was closing its eye of downy gold for the
night.
Listen y cried Harry triumphant
ly. "Pve got piece of news for you"
What is it?"
What should you think of step
father, eh, little one p
juliet looked up this time in real and
genuine astonishment.
A a stepfather, Harry ?"
"My uncle has confided to me this
evening that he thinks of marrying, Ju-
liet, and from all that can gather, the
bride is none other than your mother.
So, when we are married there will be a