Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-05-01

question:" said my uncle. "Suci
liberties are not 10 be taken with re-
spectacle young ladies'.
'Liberty or not, she would have you
in minute. And there's another
thing about it. Nancy Howard is dead
in love with you, herself, and Of course
you can't marry her-that is out Of the
question"
"Nancy Howard y repeated my un'
Gle, in q tone Of bewilderment.
''To be sure, man. ANY one but you
would have seen it, though Nancy is
not the woman TO throw herself at any
mans head, I'll say that for her. Ny
wife has known it this long time, and I
can see it, too. or course YOU can,
marry her. She is old, and poor, and
plain. and in delicate health besides.
So. Of course. all you can do is to get
rid of her. Send her home to her native
place with pension, marry Regina
Schuyler. and begin life anew.
''Does Mrs. Bonsall really think that
that Miss Howard entertains such
sentiments:" asked my uncle, as Mr..
Bonsall paused moment: "Women
see such things more clearly than men. -
"Of course she does. She was talk.
ing of it last night. Nancy ought to
have change says she, If she don't {
she'll go off like her sister. She's a
quiet, patient creature says she but
it is easy TO see what ails her. Now,
you see. be- being consumptive is
another reason why you can't marry
her. SO there! I've spoken my mind,
as ! always do; and I hope you will
have sense enough TO act upon it,"
II shall certainly act upon it" said
my uncle, calmly.
And soon, hope!' said Mr.. Bon
sail. rising. 1.-The sooner the better" I"
The sooner the better :" echoed my
uncle. Il quite agree with you Thank
you, Bonsall, thank YOU"
81 think did good piece of work
this morningw said Mr.. Bonsall to his
wife, as he was preparing 70 90 out I:
IL spoke TO McFarlane about Nancy 7"
And he repeated the substance of the
conversation. Mrs. Bonsal was quiet,
kind hearted woman but, like her hus-
band, she sometimes spoke her mimi.
She did so on this occasion.
"Bonsall, YOU are an idiot, Most
men are in snch matters, and you are
a perfect one"
Mr.. Bonsall looked as if some one
had thrown wet towel in his face.
why, Mary Anne. What's that
for:"
You'll find out soon enough. Go
along, do, and leave me in peace"
MIR. Bonsall was always very meek
when his wife took these rare fits OF
plain speaking. and he smut the door
without another word. Mrs. Bonsall
sat looking at the fire with an express
sion OF vexation, which gradually
changed TO one of kindness.
After all it might be worse" said
she, speaking TO the fire /: Nancy is 4
good soul, and as sweet as honey. She
will make him happy, and be happy
herself. and it will be goou for the boy.
But l think | see Bonsall's face when
he hears of it -
For two hours my uncle sat looking
through his office window without even
think of his letters. Then he drew a
deep breath, as of one relieved OF a
doubt, and turned TO his correspond
ence. He did not go home to dinner,
but left the office early, stopped at =
florists, where he bought some beauti-
ful hot-house flowers, and two nice
hyacinth bulbs in pretty glasses, which
last he sent to Mrs. Saunders.
Father, may | 90 up and see Tom
Sanders" asked Alick after tea.
Aunt Nancy was sitting at her work
table, fresh and neat from top TO toe
She was composed as usual. but nv
uncle fancied that he observed slight
change in her manner toward himself.
Probably Alexis remarks might have
disturbed her little.
Certainly, my son. Aud De sure TO
ask, particularly. how Mrs. Saunders
finds herself. quite forgot it this
morning. was the more ready to let
Alick 90 rs l wish to consult you ON
a matter of great Importance to us
both" And then, in his usual kind.
somewhat formal manner, he opened
the subject. He was desirous, he said, :,
of going abroad for some time. per-
haps for some years. lie thought the
change would be good for Alick. who
showed signs of delicate lungs.
Aunt Nancv's heart futtered, and
her color went and came but she had
long been schooled in self:control. and
she made no other sign. 1T won't be
for long," said the quiet, breaking
heart to itself, little guessing what was
in store.
MY uncle continued. don't know
exactly how he worded it. but he made
it plain that neither he nor the boy
could live without Nancy. Would
Nancy consent to become his wife, and
be mother TO Alick in fact, as she
had long teen in name? And so in an
hour the matter was all settled.
I'VE are asked to q wedding p said
Mrs Bonsall TO her husband some six
weeks afterward.
"a wedding-whose wedding" ask
ed Mr.. Bonsall, not greatly interested.
''Nancy Howards!"
"Nancy Howard's-you don't mean
=" The idea which occurred to Mr..
Bonsall fairly struck him dumb.
"Yes; Nancy and McFarlane !" an
swered his wife, enjoying her lord
discontinue. "Thev are to be mar
ried at st. Paul's, very quietly, and
sail for Europe as soon as possible" "
''The deuce they are. And after all
said to him"
"After all you said to him !" echoed
Mrs. Bonsall. "The moment you told
me what you said to him, and especial
ly as to Nancy's being talked about
knew you had made the match. You
could have got him to marry old Mis-:
Paget in the same way"