Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-04-26

tie Was stout man with red hair and
whlskefs, and q bluG, incorporating
manner. He had habit, on which he
plided himself, Of always speaking his
mind that Is, of saying everything and
anything which came into his head-n
habit which did not cause him to be be-
loved by his acquaintance. He and
uncle McFarlane hae once been partners
and they still kept up a kind, of intimacy,
at which many people wondered.
"Well, Bonsall, how goes the world
with you ," asked my uncle, leisdrely
taking of his coat and overshoes.
" oh, well enough. II II cont 10 10
suit me, l make ". that's all answered
Mr.. Bonsall. " But, tee here, McFar-
lane, ! didn't come here To handy co.a
pliments. ! want to talk to you about a
serious matter"
" We'll, what is It 2" asked ny uncle,
preparing to listen, not without longing
glance at his foreign letters and papers.
Pm going to speak my hind, as /
always do "..eaid Mr.. BoGsall. 81 want
to know what you mean TO do. about
Nancy q"
"About Nancy 4" repeated my uncle,
with a little start. 'What about
Nancy 2"
"Aye, what about her 2-that's lust II.
or course you can't go on MS you do now.
l. 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 sure-foity, if sho's an
hour"
"Thlrty-five " said my uncle, correct
ing him.
"Well, five years don't matter much.
She's an old maid, as l said. Still, folks
will aud do tslb,an you ought 10 get rid
of her. The truth is, McFarlane, yol
ought to marry again and Of course you
can't with Nancy in the house"
You think so : "
"Why, of course, not. There's Miss
Regina Schuyler, now. She'd jump at
the ehancelof marrying you but you
don't suppose che would set UP honse-
keeping with Nancy Howard, do you -
6 must beg, Bonsall, that you will
not bring Miss Schuyler's name into
said my uncle. "Such liber-
ties are no TO be taken with respectable
young ladies'"
Liberty or not, she would have you in
a minute. And there's another thing
about 1t, Nancy Howard is dead In love
with you, herself. and of course you
can't marry her-thlt is out Of the
question"
Nancy Howard !" repeated my un Gle,
in tone of bewildermeut.
"To be sure, nun. Any one but You
would have seen it, though Nancy is not
the woman to thrO v herself at any man's
head, III say that for her. My wife has
known IL this long time, and can see It
toe. Of course you can't 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 pen
sion, marry Regina Schuyler, and begin
life anew.
"Does Mrs Bonsall really think that
that Miss Howard entertains such senti-
menls r. asked my uncle, as Mr.. Bonsall
paused moment "Women see such
things more clearly than men,"
"Of course she does. She was talking
of IL last night. Nancy ought to have a
change says she, If she don't she'll 20
off like her sister She's a quiet patient
ereatufe,' says she but il is easy to see
what ails her, Nov, you see, her being
eonsumptive ls another reason why you
can't marry her. SO, there I've spoken
my mind, as ! always do and | hope
you will have sense enough to act upon
it."
81 shall certainly act upon it l'' said
my uncle, calmly.
"And soon I hope 20 said Mr.. Bonsall
rising. "rhe sooner the better"
"rhe sooner the better :" echoed ny
uncle, 81 quite agree with you. Thanl
YOU BOnsall thank yOu -
81 think I did good piece of work ihi
morning :" said Mr.. Bonsall TO his wife
as he was preparing to go out 81 spok,
to McFarlane about Nancy ~ And he re
peatvd tile substance of the conversation
Mrs. BOnsall was quiet, kind hearted
woman but like her husband, she some
times spoke her mind. She did SO OF
this occasion.
"Bonsall, you are an idiot! Most mer
are in such matters, aud you are
perfect one.'
Mr.. Bousall looked as IL some one had
thrown a wet towel In It's face. "Why
Mary Anne What's that for -
"You'l find out soon enough. Gl
along do, and leave me 10 peace"
Mr.. Bonsall was always very meel
when his wife took these rare fits OF plaIl
speaking, and he shut the door withou
another word. Mrs. Bonsall sat lookup
Mt the fire with an expression Of yexatiOn
which gradually changed to one of kind
ness.
"After all it might be worse" sal
she, speaking to the fire; "Nancy Is
good soul, and ns sweet as honey. Sh
will make him happy, and be happy hei
self, and il will be good for the boy. Blu
/ think sec Bonsall's face when he hear
of il 20
For two hours my uncle sat lookinl
through his Office window without eve
thinking of his letters. Then he drew
deep breath, as of one relieved of doubl
and turned to his correspondence. II
did not go home to dinner, but left III
office early, stopping at florisps, wher
he bought some beautiful hOt-hous
flowers, and TWO nice hyacinth bulbs /
pretty glasses, which last he sent to Mri
Saunders.
Father, may go up and see Toi
Saunders l' asked Alick after tea. AuI
Nancy was sitting &C her workable
fresh and neat from Top to toe. She wa
composed as usual, but my uncle iancle
he observed a slight change in her MAI
ner toward himself. Probably Alick
remarks might have disturbed her
| little.
"Certainly, my son. And be sure
ask, particularly, how Mrs. saundel
finds herself. quite forgot 1t this morl
| Ing. was more ready TO let Alick go {
| wish TO consult you on a matter
great Importance to us both" And the
in his usual kind, somewhat formal maj
ner he opened the subject. He was desi
Gus, he said, of going abroad fer sou
time, perhaps for some years. I
thought the change would be good fS
Allck, who showed signs Of delica
lungs.
Aunt Nancy's heart fiuttered, and h
color went and came but she had lor
been schooed In self-control, and 81
made no other sign. SIT won't be f
long" said the quiet, breaking heart
itself, little guessing what was In stor
Ny uncle continued. don't kno
exactly how he worded II, but he made
plain that neither he nor the boy cou
live without Nancy. Would Nancy co
sent to become his wife, aud be Il moth
TO Alick In fact, as she had long beeu
name And so in an hour the matter W
all settled
awe are asked 10 q welding SO
Mrs. Bonsall TO her husband some I
weeks afterward.
"a wedding-whose wedding ask
Mr., Bonsall, not greatly interested.
Nancy Howard's ! "
Nancy Howard's--you don't mean
The Idea which occurred 10 Mr.. Bons
fairly struck him dumb.
" Yes Nancy aud MeFarlane " al
wered his wife, enjoying her lords d
cOmiture, "They are w. be married
81. Pau's, very quietly, and sail
Europe as soon as possible.
''rhe deuce they are. And after all
said to him
After all you said TO him " echo