The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-06-20


Nancy Billings, which has been with
the Birkenheads nigh twenty year."
Birkenhead made light of her fears
LET her plot" exclaimed he. "And
precious little good it will do her. I'll
keep her there until she is gray before
I'll let her marry that rascally Poor"
Soon after Zale's incarceration in hcl
attic prison, there came to her father a
letter literally covered with postmarks.
1t had u portentous look, and Birken-
head broke the seal with trembling
hands. At the first glance at the CON
tents, his face lighted up with pleasure.
AS he read ON, a puzzled and somewhat
anxious look stole into his face, and ere
he finished the letter, he was evidently
quite uneasy in his mind.
Billings" said he, putting the letter
aside, did you ever hear anything of
Wallrudden's marriage Z"
Wallrudden's Never in my life,
Mr.. Birlenhead."
IN or I, Billings. But he has been
married some time, for he writes me
that his son is coming to spend the sum-
mer with u.s."
mercy? All summer :"
"Well, you have it as 1 had it. 1t
Will increase expenses somewhat but l
cannot refuse, for the care of Wallrud-
den's property is worth having, Bill
lings. L suppose the young man will
look after it while he is here, but I've
got the rents pretty well in I wonder
what sort of Il chap he is? Do you
know: Z"
"Tm sure I never could guess, Mr.
Birkenhead. But when does he come 2"
There's the trouble, Billings. No.
body can tell whether the letter came
from Egypt or the moon, nor when it
was written. Wallrudden always was
bungler with his pen, but he has beat
himself this time. But, Billings, we
must be ready for him"
"I should think so. But it will be a
nice thing for Zale"
II don't quite see it, Billings"
"It's a wonder I've been thinking
Of it ever since you told me he was COM
ing"
"Well, out with it, can't you, snap
ped Birkenhead, who detested mystery
"And rather bad for Mr.. Poor" con-
tinued Billings, following up the train
of thought which the letter had set in
motion.
"Come come what is it 2"
"Why, Mr. Birkenhead don't you
see that Zale would make him a good
wife ~
"Make that rascal Poor, good
wife" exclaimed Birkenhead, white
with rage.
"No, no, not that one" Billings has
tened to say; but Wallrudden."
"O-h ~ calculated Birkenhead, Jump
ing out of his seat, and ordering NUT
ton-chop for dinner.
Billings had said enough, so she left
Birkenhead to his meditations, and went
up to tell Zale of her new destiny.
"Who 7" asked Zale, in surprise.
" Young Mr.. Wallrudden.."
Wallrudden! Such a name"
And Zalc burst into such hearty
laugh, that Billings was moro than half
inclined to be angry.
You'll not feel so merry when he is
your husband" said she.
Wallrudden for husband" exclaim-
ed Zale, not in the least frightened
why, Billings, just the name would be
sufficient grounds for divorce"
Then followed another peal of laugh
ter, more boisterous, if possible, than
the first, and Billings left the room in
high dudgeon, muttering vengeance on
Zale, and that young man by the name
of Poor.
Poor Alec-or Alec Poor the chance
for hand into the Golfers looked decid- |
edly slim, to say the least.
The day following the receipt of the |
letter, Birkenhead and Billings were
startled by the opening of the 'front.'
door, and the appearance of stranger
in the room.
"That's he," whispered Billings
" that's Wallrudden. Just like his faith
er, for all the world"
Birkenhead was also very sure that
he saw a resemblance, and he advanced,
with outstretched hands, to meet the
newcomer.
"Mr. Wallrudden, presume ("
Circumstances compel me to answer
to that name for the present." was the
unexpected reply; but father and my
self have decided to drop the strange
oognomen at no distant day. 1t is re-
pulsive in the extreme, and why any
one was ever named Wallrudden is one
Of the mysteries that even old Time
cannot solve. You got the letter, Mr..
I"
"Yes, sir" replied Birkenhead, glad
70 escape the ordeal of replying to the
irst part of young Wallrudden's speech,
1t came to hand yesterday"
"Only yesterday? How strange!
'ut the mails are so uncertain. Don't
,ou think so, madame Z"
This to Billings; and the good soul
flushed to the very roots of her auburn
lair, and wished to the land that she
we're young again.
Extremely uncertain" she stammer-
d and then rather awkwardly made
Ter way out of the room.
If Zale don't take to that man, she's
wful hard to suit" muttered the good
"I'll have her right down ]
ere, for there's nothing like taking
lime by the forelock." {
Zale was thinking of Alec when Bill
ngs burst into the room, and she was J
ot particularly well pleased al the in
rusion.
"He's come, Zale." I
He? Who is hef"
81 should think you would ask p ex-
laimed the discomftted Billings. "Why, t
lr. Wallrudden, to be surew ,
"Oh Wallrudden, Ell? Well, what /
ort of chap is he, Billings 2" /
"Zale Birkenhead-" $
"There, Billings, I'll take it back. {
'ou know what mean. Is he hand