The Lincoln County herald., 1873-05-28

wife, as no was preparing to 20 out;
81 spoke 10 McFarlsne about Nancy !!
and repeated the substance of the conver.
sation. Mrs Bonsail was q quiet, kind.
hearted soul but like her husband,
sometimes spoke her mind. She did SO
on this occasion.
"Bonsali, you are an IDIOT! Most
men are 10 such matters, aud you are o
perfect one"
Mr.. Bonsall looked as If some one had
thrown wet towel in his face. "Why,
Anne What's that for p
You'll find out soon enough. Go
along, do, aud leave me 10 peace"
Mr.. Bousa!l was always very meek
when his vile took those rare fits Of plain
speaking, and he shut the door without
another word. Mrs. Bonsall sat looking
at the 6.e with an expression Of vexa
tion, which gradually changed to one Of
kindness.
"Af,er all it might be worse." said
she, speaking to the 6re. "Nancy is a
good soul, and as sweet as honey. She
will make him happy, aud be happy her
herself, and it will be good for the boy.
But | think see Bonsall's face when he
hears Of it,"
For two hours my uncle sat looking
through the Office window without even
thinking of his Letters Then he drew
deep breath, as one relieved Of q doubt.
and turned to his correspondence. lie
did not 20 home to dinner, but left the
Office early, stopping at florists where
he bought some beautiful hot house
flowers, and two nice hyacinth bulbs, in
pretty glasses, which he sent to Mrs
Saunders.
Father, may I 60 up and see Tom
Saunders p asked Alick after tea. Aunt
Nancy was sitting at her work table
fresh and neat from top to too. She was
composed as usual. but my uncle fancied
lie saw slight change in her manner to-
ward himself. Probably Alexis remark
might have disturbed her little.
"Certainly, my son. And be sure to
ask. particularly, how Mrs. Saunders
huds herself. quito forgot it thi'
morning. | was the more ready to lie,
Alick 90 as l wish to consult you on ,
matter of great importance to us both
And then in his usual kind, somewha
, formal manner, he opened the subject
lie was desirons, he said, Of going abroa'
| for while, perhaps for some years
t He thought the change would be goo'
for Alick, who showed signs IF dslicat
] lungs.
y Aunt Naucy's heart Auttercd, and he
color went and came; Tut she had lon
o been schooled in sell control, and sh
d made no other sign. alt won't be 10
,, ioug." said the quiet, breaking heart +
3. itself, little guessing what was in stor'
IS My uncle confined. l don't kno
exactly how he worded it, but he mad
D, it plain that neither he nor the bo
= could live without Nancy. Woul
d Nancy consent to become bis wife, and b
mother to Alick in name, what sh
l had long been in fact?" And so In a
It hour the matter was all settled.
1t I'VE are asked to a wedding!" sal
5 Mrs. Bonsall to her husband some 81
u weeks afterward.
.c "A weddins-whose wedding ?" aske
,s .NT. Dunsaii, uot eioo''y iu'Sieo'So'
Is Nancy Howard's!'
Is Nancy Howard's-you don't mean
the idea which occurred to Mr.. Bonsa
r. fairly struck him dumb.
Yes; Nancy aud McFarlane !" al
b. swered his wife, enjoying her lords di'
IS com6ture. "Tbey are to be married
OF St. Paul's, very quietly, and sail Fl
e, Europe as soon a. possible"
Sc "The deuce they arc! And after q
I said to him t.
"After all you said to him !" echo'
90 Mrs. Bonsall. "The moment you to
a, me what you said to him. and especial
"a as to Nancy's being talked about, kne
,g you had made the match. You cou
. have got him to marry old Miss Paget
OF the same way"
a. But such sacrifice, Mary Ammo !"
re "Oh, we'll, don't know. dare ST
,g he might feel it little sacrifice just
. 6rst; but by this time he has persuad
~ himself that there never was such
,g woman, and that the favor was all on h
We side. don't think for my part, McF'
Il lane will ever regret it,"
:" And | don't think Uncle McFarla
ia over did.-From the Aldine for May.