The Shasta courier., 1872-07-20


of temporary seige, for others besides her
self had seen the tempting advertisement,
and made haste to answer it. There were
fat women and lean, tall women and short
Scotch women and Germans, smiling
sloveDly women women who had seer
better days, aud women who evidently
hadn't.
Mrs. Hawkhurst looked around some.
what discouraged by the formidable array
of rivals
III ere's no hope for me-" she thought
despairiugly, and was just about to turn
away with tiluid Juliet clinging to be,
hand, Harry Avesel advanced.
did you wish to see my uncle, ma am p
he asked courteously
IL called about the housekeeper's
situatlon," meekly murmuled the widow
Anc Harry showed Ter in at once
The fat and the tall, the German and
the Scotch, the sour and the sweet, went
Aseuel decided t, engage Mrs. Hawk
hurst as his housel eeper, with permission
to keep Juliet with her.
''She Is all have, SIR" said the house.
keeper, apologetically. land she will try
to be useful about the house."
"How old is sheI" asked Mr.. Avenel
Fifteen, sir"
"M ell, let her stay" said the widower
good humoredly She'll eat no more
than chicken, and dare say she can do
great many things about the place"
Mrs. Hawkhurst proved herself al
executive oficeress Of the greatest ability
Gradually the "chsos and old night" OF
Avenel place was reduced to sysrem and
order. The wheels OF hous. keeping revol-
v,d 50 softly that no one knew they moved,
yet these we're the results You scarce
ever saw the housekeeper gliding about
the balls, yet the servants declal ed she
was omnipresent. Mr. Avenel found him
self actually the inhabitaut OF hone once
more as the years sloSly passed away
He Was sitting on the piazza one day,
smoking his cigar. and watching the grace
full movements Of juliet Hawkhurst, as
she was planting trailing vines in a marble
vase that occupied the centre OF the lawu
when Mrs. Marley came out
"a nice evening, Sill" said Mrs Marley
"Oh there she is ~
"Who 7" asked Mr. Avenel.
"Why, that foolish child, Juliet" an
swered the old lady sharply. 81 ha mt no
patience with her. that ha'nt."
~ hat has she been doing now 2" asked
the wIdower with au amused face.
why, she's refused Ben Nichols eldest
son, as likely and foreh'nded young fel-
Ter as there is in the country"
Mr.. Avenel started.
ben Nichols Why Mrs. Marley, she
is only child"
"She's seventeen next week." NODDED
Mrs. Marley, "aud high time she thought
Of settling
MIR. Avenel looked across to where Juliet
stood in her pink-ginglam dress, the soft
summer winds stirring her curls, and her
cheeks as softly tinted as the standard moss
rose on the lawn. Seventeen. Was it
possible that little Juliet Huwkburst had
grown to be seventeen years old Oh,
relentless lime that would not stand still !!
Oh, cruel years, that went by aud stole the
fair brightness Of childhood away! So Ben
Nichols had actually asked Jullet Hawk
hurst to be his wife.
81 wish you an Harry'd talk serious
to her about il" went on Mrs Marley.
"Taln't likely she'll hev many more such
chances as that"
"No; to be sure not" said Mr.. Avenel
ubstractedly
'.And o course she'd oughter think it
over WE'LL" aided Mrs. Marley.
20, Ger ainly-to be sure p
When Harry Avenel came home from
the city that evening, he found his uncle
in brown study.
"Harry," quoth the widower.
"Ive been thinking"
$50 l should conclude, sir, from the
Il shaped wrinkle between your brows,"
laughed the young merchant.
"Well, aud what has been the topic Of
your medltati0ns, Uncle Joe ?"
"Why, was thinking what would be-
come of US it Mrs. II iwkhurst wire to take
1t into her head to leave US.
Harry opened wide his merry hazel eyes
dI tue iuSd
"What made you think of such thing,
sir?" be asked.
"Oh, don't know. She has good
place here; but one cou dn' expect her to
be coDtented with housekeeper's sltua
tinn always, Harry"
mo, to be sure not pa
'She has become very essential to our
domestic happiness, Harry" went On Mr..
Avenel.
"Yes-I grant you that, Uncle Joe."
"And | really don't know how We could
manage to xist without her."
"Raise her salary, UNCLE" suggested
Harry.
mo. l hardly think that would answer
my purpose; but, HaIy-
well. uncle?"
Mr.. Avenel looked slightly sheepish.
"Can't you imagine any other way OF
keeping her here ?" he asked.
Harry stared at his uncle. Mr.. Avea el
felt disposed to give him hearty shake
for his stupidity.
"Oh," cried the young man, with q
sudden dawning of lucidity over the dark
ness OF bis brain. "Yon don's mean
matrinony, uncle ?''
"Yes. | do ?" quoth Mr.. Avenel, stout
y. ''Would you onjecr, Larry"