The Lincoln County herald., 1872-07-10
mot at all. Retroussee, Fanny"
"And her hair il sandy"

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color. In sunlight it is a tint to drive
an artist wild with Enthusiasm"
IL think Heuora Tevs would suit you
better, John. She is more mature"
IL should think sol She is fifty if
she is a day, and she dresses hideously
l am sure Venus herself would bs odious
in that green dress aud red shawl, aud
the souls Of her boots are two inches
thick "
Well, John, I give up. I will try to
resign myself to the fact that you are a
confirmed old bachelor"
And with this parting shot, Mrs. Wat.
son took her founces aud feathers from
her brothers sight to bestow the vision
Of their magni6cence upon Mr.. Watson
and three olive branches who awaited
her at homo.
She smiled often as she drove home.
ward, and once or twice nodded her head
as it we'll pleased at some uuspoken sug
gestion of her busy brain. 1t was the
dearest wish Of her heart to zee her
brother John married, ahd for many long
years she had tried to accomplish this
end. l. only caused her to speak her
vehet ut Indignation when it was sug.
gssted that bachelor uncle would prob.
ably bestow large lesaeies upon the little
Watts us.
Sho did not want Johns money, she
would declare truthfully. She wanted
to see dear John himself happily married,
with children of his own to inherit his
fortune.
The conversation al owe recorded shows
how far from successful she had been
but luminous idea was now busy in
her mind, aud she proceeded to act
upon it.
"John," she said, when he strollcd
into her parlor tho next evening, I'VE
are going to the Groves next week
when are you coming? y
81 think shall travel this Summer,
Fan"
Now, John. ]ol will give us one
month h.. Com, 10 promise T.
But, Fan., " always have SO much
company"
"lf you will come, wont have any
body at ail-not a young lady. | have
tsased you awfully about wife, John,
but will let you alone after this. You
may may live and die in single blessed
ness. if you really desire it,"
Then | will come But you told me
the last time We spoke of the Groves,
that Miss Murray was going with you for
a month"
"Oh, she is such mere child suub.
nosed, sandy. haired, bread aud butter
miss, scarcely out of the school room.
Of course | anl not 90 absurd as to sup
pose you will pay attention to her. ) II
if you v iEh it, | will postpone her visit
till you are gone"
"Uh, no. Don't alter your arrange.
ments on my account. She will not. in:
terfers with me-"
Mrs. Watson had callsd Laura Murray
daisy, and very bright, fresh one she
looked, as she stood upon the porch at
the Groves, the morning after her arrival.
She was very fair. with large gray eyes,
and profusion of light hair, just sut
ciently tpged with red to be sandy, yet
glossy, waving and pretty in its free un,
bound masses. Her figure was graceful,
and she was lady in every word ani
look, while yet free hearted child iu
many respects.
She looked upon the middle aged
bachelor brother Of her hostess with
respectful liking, which developed into
cordial good feeling in few days. lie
was so kind, she thought gratefully
would carry her drawing book for her to
all the incest places for sketching drove
her out day after day, and even INDUCED
her in what Mrs. Watson declared a per
fectly insane desire, namely, q canter
upon his own favorite horse Thunderer
Then in his trips to town he always re
membersd a package of candies for the
children, and a separate dainty box for
the biggest child of all, as Mrs. Watson
would call hor, as she enjoyed her share
Of sweets.
Cunning Mrs. Watson! Not a word
or hint now dropped from her lips to her
brother upon the often discussed subject
Of matrimony. Somewhat OsteDtaIiously y
she would beg him not to allow Laura to
take him from his paper or cigar. She
? drew his attention to the fact that Laura
actually wrapped scarlet shawl around
her when she wore shimmering green
tissue that suited her creamy complexion
to perfection. She shuddered herself at
the thick souls on Laura's walking boots,
and commented upon the fact that crying
made Laura's eyes green.
And John would sometimes admit,
sometimes combat thsse facts. and still
devote the ''ng leisure hours Of country
life 10 Laura.
The promised month was nearly over,
and Fanny pleaded for few more weeks
Of her broth, - society.
"Don't e.ve ne row, John, when
am going TO Iut' the house pleasant
at is pleasant enough, Fan"
"You are dear good fellow to say so,
but I know how you must have been
bored, John. Dancing attendance upon
a scheOl girl must have been simply hor.