The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-04-29

gina Schuyler indeed Really Bonsall
is too bad to put such notions into the
boys head. And Mr. McFarlauc pur-
sued his way into the Office, unconscious
Of the fate awaiting him there.
ANY letters, Saunders? be asked, as
he passed the clerks desk. 4 sec the
packet is in
Yes, SIR. They are on your desk, and
Mr.. Bonsall is waiting TO speak to you
ia your room. \ don't believe hc ever
before forgot to ask for my wife hope
nothing is wrong Mr.. Saunders had an
invalid wife, who was indebted to Mr..
Mcl'arlanc for many little comforts.
Mr.. Bonsall was waiting in the office
lie was stout man with rcd hair and
whiskcrs, and bluff. uncompromising
manner lie had habit, on which he
pridcd himself, of always speaking his
mind'-that is, Of saying everything and
anything which came into his hcad-a
habit which did not cause him to be be-
loved by his acquaintance. lie and I'M
Gle McFarlanc had once been partners
and they still kept up kind of intimacy
at which many people wondered.
We'll, Bonsall. how goes the world
with you?' asked my uncle, lcisurcly
taking off his coat and ovcrshocs.
Oh well enough If it don't 20 to
suit me, | make it, that's all answered
Mr.. Bonsal. But, see here, Mcl'arlanc,
| didn't come here to handy compliments.
[ want to talk to you about a serious
matter
well, what is it . asked my uuclc,
preparing to listen, not without longing
glance at his foreign letters and papers.
I'm going to speak my mind, as | al
ways do = said Mr.. Bonsall. Il want to
know what you mean to do about Nancy I?
About Nancy y repeated my uncle.
with litlc start, 'What about Nancy p
AYE, what about her that's Just it
or course you can't 90 on as you do now.
1t was well enough when the old lady
was alive; but her death changes all
that, and folks will talk. Nancy's an old
maid, to be Snrc-iorty, if she's an
hour
'Thirty.Gyo = said my uncle correcting
him.
We'll, five years don't matter much.
She's an old maid, as | said. Still, folks
will and do talk, and you ought to get
rid Of her, The truth is, McFaranc,
you ought to marry again; and ofcoursc
you cant with Nancy in the house
You think so !?
Why, of course, not. There's Miss
Regina Schuyler, now. She'd jump at
the chance of marrying you but you
don't suppose she would set up house
keeping with Nancy Howard, do YOU
Il must beg, Bonsall that you will not
bring Miss Schuylcr's name into qucs-
tion,' said my uncle. Such liberties are
not to be taken with respectable young
ladies'
Liberty or not, she would have you in
"A 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 = repeated my uncle,
in tone Of bcwildermcnt.
TO be sure, man. Any one but you
wol.d have seen it, though Nancy is not
the woman to throw herself at any mans
head, Ill say that for her. My wife has
known it this long time, and | can see it,
too. OF course you cant marry her.
She is old, and poor, and plain, and in
delicate health besides. Send her home
to her native place with pension, mar
ry Regina Schuyler, and begin life anew
Does Mrs. Bonsall really think that
that Miss Howard cntertains such
sentiments p asked my uncle, as Mr..
Bonsall paused moment: Women see
such things more clearly than men
'Of course she does, She was talking
Of it last night. Nancy ought to have a
change says she, 'if she don't she'll 90
off like her sister. She's quiet, patient
crcature,' says she 'out it is easy to see
what ails her. Now, you see, her being
consumptivc is another reason why you
cant marry her So there I've spoken
my mind, as always do and hope
you will have sense crouch TO act mp
on it.
i shall certainly act upon it = said my
uncle, calmly.
And soon, | hope = said Mr. Bonsall,
rising. The sooner the better echoed
my uncle. Il quite agree with you.
Thank you, Bonsall, thank you
Il think | did a good piece of work
this morning. said Mr. Bopsall to his
wife, as he was preparing to go ont 4
spoke to McFarlane about Nancy! And
he repeated the substance Of the conycr-
sation Mrs. Bonsall was a quiet. kind
hearted woman; but, like her husband
she sometimes spoke her mind. She lid
so on this occasion.
'Bonsall, you are an idiot Mo,t mon
are in such matters, and you IRE Il per.
feet one
, Mr. BonsaIl looked as if some one had
thrown wet towel in his face. Way
Mary Anne WHATS that for?
You'll find cut soon cuuugh Go
along. do, and leave me in peace.
Mr. Bopsal was always worry mccl.
when his wife took the-e rare fits oil
plain speaking. aud he shut the door
without another word. Mrs BonsaII sat
/, looking at the fire with an expression Of
} vexation, which gradually changed to one
/ of kindness
, After all it might be worse said She
f; speaking to the fire Nancy is good
S soul, and as sweet as honey. She will
= make him happy, aud be happy herself
and it Will be good for the hoy. But
think | see Bnnanll's f;lcr when he hear,
5 Of it !!
t For two hours my uncle sat lookia}
. through his Office window without even
) thinking Of his letters. Then he drew ;
deep breath ,as Of one relieved OF doubt
= and turned to his correspondence. II,
/ did not 90 home to dinner. bat left tn,
a office carly, stopping at florists, where