The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-05-15

/ AZ winch many people WOnueIeu'
"Well, BonSall, how goes the world
with youi" asked my uncle, leisurely
taking off his coat and overshoes.
"O6, well enough. II it don't go TO
suit me, make It, that's all" answered
Mr.. Bonsall. "But, sec here, McF arlane,
didn't come here to handy compliments
I want to talk to you about a serious
matter"
"Well, what is it?" asked my uncle,
preparing TO listen, not without longing
glance at his foreign letters and papers.
II am going to speak my mind, Rs
always dop said Mr.. Bonsall. II want
to know what you mean TO do about
Nancy"
about Nancyp repeated my uncle
with a little start. "What about Nancy 7"
AYE, what about her ?-thats just II.
OF course you can't go 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 sure-forty, fishes an hour"
"Thirty.fiye" said my uncle, correct
ing him.
5Wcll, five years don't matter much.
She's an old maid, as sald. Still, folks
will and do talk, and you ought to get rid
oil her. The truth Is, McFarlane, you
ought TO marry again; and Of course you
cant with Nancy In the house"
"You think SOL"
"Why, Of course, not. There's Miss Re
gina Schuyler, now. She'd Jump at the
chance of marrying you; but you don't
suppose she would set up housekeeping
with Nancy Howard, do your
II must beg, Bonsall, that you will not
bring Miss Schuyler's name into ques-
ton" said my uncle. "Such liberties arc
not to be taken with respectable young
ladies'"
"Liberty or not, she would have you in
q 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 r. repeated my uncle,
IN a tone Of bewilderment.
"To be sure, man. Any one but you
would have seen 1t, though Nancy Is not
the woman TO throw herself at any mans
head, I'll say that for her. Ny vile has
known 1t this long time, and ! can sec 1t,
too. or 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 q pension, marry
Regina Schuyler, and begin life anew"
"Does Mrs. Bonsall really think that
that Miss Howard entertains such senti-
ments?" asked my uncle, as MIR. BonsAll
paused a moment: women see such
things more clearly than men"
"0f course she does. She was talking
OF 1t last night. Nancy ought 10 have a
change" says she, "li she don't she'll go
of like her sister. She's quiet, patient
creature" says she, "but 1t is easy to see
what ails her. Now, you see, her being
consumptlve Is 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"
u shall certainly act upon iu' said my
uncle, calmly.
"And soon, / hopeI' said Mr.. BopSall,
rising. "The sooner the better"
"Tho sooner the betteiW echoed my un'
Gle. "Iquite agree with you. Thank you,
Bonsali, thank you"
"Ithink did q good piece Of work this
morning." Said Mr.. Bonsall to his wife,
as he was preparing TO go out, " spoke
to McF about Nancyp and he re-
peated the substance Of the conversation.
Mrs. Bonsall was a quiet, kind.hearted
woman; but like her husband, she some
times spoke her mind. She did so on this
occasion.
"BonsRll, you are on idiot! Most men
are in such matters, and you are q per-
feet one"
Mr. Bonsall looked as II some one had
thrown wet towel in his face. "Why
Mary Annel What's that iorS"
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 expression Of vexation,
which gradually changed to one Of kind.
ness
"Aner all It might DO worse" said she,
speaking to the Gre: NANCY Is a good
soul, and as sweet as honey. She will
make him happy, and be happy herself,
and 1t will be good for the boy. But l
think l SEQ Bonsalls face when he hears
Of itr
For two hours my uncle sat looking
through his Office window without even
thinking Of his'lettars. Then he drew a
deem breath, as of one relieved Of doubt
and turned 10 his correspond BE did
not 20 homo to his dinner, but lett the Of
fec early, stopping at florists, where he
bought some beautiful hot.house flowers,
and Two nice hyacinth bulbs In pretty
glasses, which last he sent to Mrs. Saun-
ders,
"Father, may l 60 up and see Tom
Saunders y asked Allck after tea. Aunt
Nancy was sitting at her workable, fresh
and neat from top to too. She was com
posed as usual, but my uncle iancied he
observed a slight change In her manner
toward himself Probably Alexis re-
marks might have disturbed her little.
Certainly, my son. And be sure to
ask, particularly, how Mrs. Saunders finds
herself. 1qulte forgotit this morning.
was the more ready TO let Alick go as
wish TO consult you on a matter Of great
importance to US both" And then, In
his usual kind and somewhat formal man
ner, no opened the subject. lie was de-
sirouS, he said, oil going abroad for some
time, perhaps for some years. He though
the change would DO good fer Alick, who
showed signs Of delicate lungs.