The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-05-09
OREGON, FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1873

"Bonsall, yon are an idiot Most
OF men are in such matters, and you
are a perfect one"
Mr. Bonsal looked az if some one
had thrown n wet towel in his face
"Why, Mary Ammo! What's tbAt
fer ?"
You'll find out soon enough. Go
along, do, and leave me in peace"
Mr.. Bonsall was always very meek
when his wife took these rare fits OF
plain speaking, and he shut the door
without another word. Mrs. Bonsall
sat looking at the fire with an expires.
sion Of vexation, which gradually
changed to one of kindness.
After all it might be worse" said
she, speaking to the fire: "Nancy is n
good soul, and as sweet as honey
She will make him happy, and be hap.
py herself, and it will be good for the
boy. But think see Bonsalrs face
when he hears OF 1t p
For two hours my uncle sat look.
ing through his Office widow without
even looking at his letters. Then he
drew deep breath, as of one relieved
of u doubt, and turned TO his cores
pondence. lie did not 60 home to
dinner, but left the Office early, stop
ping at florists. where he bough.
some beautiful hot-house flowers, aud
two nice hyacinth bulbs in pretty
glasses, which last he sent Mrs. Saun-
ders.
Father, may go up and see Tom
Saunders: :" asked Alick after tea
Aunt Nancy was sitting at her work
table, fresh and neat.trom top TO toe.
She was composed as usual, but my
uncle iancicd he observed q slight
change in her manner toward himself.
Probably Alexis remarks might have
disturbed her little.
"Certainly, my son. And be sure
to ask. particularly, how Mrs. Saun.
ders finds herself. ! quite forgot it
this morning. l was the more ready
to let Alick go as | wish to consult
you on matter OF great importance
To us both" And then, in his usual
kind, somewhat formal manner, he
opened the subject. lie was desirons,
he said, of gong abroad for some
time, perhaps for some years. He
thought the change would be good
for Alick, who showed signs OF deli
cate lungs.
Aunt Nancy's heart futtered, and
her color went and came; but she
had long been schooled in selfcontrol,
and she made no other sign. '1t
won't be for long," said the quiet,
breaking heart 10 itself, little guessing
what was in store.
My uncle continued. / don't know
exactly how he worded 1t, but he
made it plain that neither be nor the
boy could live without Nancy
Would Nancy consent 10 become his
wife, aud be a mother TO Alick IN fact,
as she had long been IN name: Aud
so in an bours the matter was all set
tied.
I'VE are asked to a wedding" said
Mrs. Bonsall 10 her husband some six
weeks aiterward.
"a wedding - whose wedding 2"
asked Mr. Bonsall, not greatly inter.
ested.
Nancy Howard'sl"
Nancy Howard's-you don't mean
- The idea which occurred to Mr..
Bonsall fairly struck him dumb.
Yes; Nancy aud McFarlane ~ an
swcred his wife, enjoying her lords
discontinue. "They are 10 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 y
After all you said to him p echoed
Mrs. Bonsall "The moment you told
me what You said to him, and espe.
cially as TO Nancy's being talked about,
/ knew you had made the match. -
You could have got him TO marry old
Miss Paget in the same way"
But such sacrifice, Mary Anne y
"Oh, well, l don't know. dare
say he might feel it little ola sacrifice
just at first; but by this time he has
persuaded himself that there never
was such woman, and that the favor
was all on her side. | don't think,
for my part, McFarlane will ever re.
gret it,"
And l don't think Uncle McFarlane
ever did.-Erons THE -Aldne 10,
Nay.