Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-12-19

stancyw ,U
81 am not afraid Of her forgetting
me-" said Frank, loftily.
"You are actually engaged 7"
"Certainly! bought damon,
ring ats yesterday, and put i
on her taper finger last evening""
"Hem! Well, the fool.killer hasn'
been here lately, that's certain
There, be off and let me finish IN,
paper in peace. You will 60 tt
Hartford ~ ..
But after his nephew left him
Coleman Burke let his paper liz
idly upon his lap, while he fell into
Il tit of musing, often interrupted by
impatient CALCULATIONS. He was q
man, as he had said, past sixty, and
had been childless widOwer fol
thirty years, while four little graves
besides that of his wife, recorded
the heart history of his life.
When he had lived lonely and a
sincere mourner for many long years,
his brother and wife died, leaving
Frank, a curly.headed boy, to the
care of his uncle Coleman. All the
long-sealed fountains of love in the
desolatcd heart opened to pour out
affection upon the child. He was
truly the very sunlight of the old
mans existence, and though his
manner had been cynical, his heart
had been soreIy wrung by the an
nouncement of his engagement, hut
not from any paltry jealousy, or any
mercenary motive. Had Frank low
ed a true, tender woman. were she
a beggar, his uncle would have Civ
en- her fathers love, and welcome.
But by the light of his own brief
married happiness, he read the mis-.
cry in store for his nephew, if he
Lucia Frothingham, a flirt,
extravagant and selfish. How to
save him, was costing the old man
torturing thought. Active opposi-
ton would only strengthen what
was now but a boyish infatuation,
and yet saved he must be. Sudden
Iy light broke over Coleman
face, and he rose from his
chair and went to long mirror in
the room. The reflection was not
calculated to waken vanity, yet the
old man smiled well pleased.
eff l can only carry it out, it will
be proof positive" he thought.
Short, fat, nearly bald. with spec
tacles, and cane, Coleman Burke
was certainly a strong contrast to
The tall, handsome young fellow who
lad won Lucia for his promised
bride yet he said aloud:
"I'll cut him outw
A week later all the fashiOnables
1t the C-Hotel, Saratoga, knew
hat Coleman Burke was intending
% take a wife. What bird first bore
he news upon the scented air no
me could have told you, but there
vas no lack of information about
he elderly bridegroom in perspec-
i've. Everybody (that was any
)Ody) knew that Coleman Burke
lad retired from business years be-
ore, worth half million of money,
md had made fortunate invest
nents since. That he was decked
n fashions latest styles, wore dia-
nond studs and ring, carried a
witch cane, drove fine team and
occupied expensive rooms at the
lOtel, all could see for themselves.
Very soon after he came, another
act was patent to all observers
hat he was very attentive to Miss
Iucia rockingham, the belle of
lany seasons.
Mrs. Frothingham hoped in her
cart that Lucia would not be a fool,
nd would remember how far MIR.
coleman Burke's pocket-book out
Weighed his nephew's; also, that an
Id mans darling was far more apt
!, have every whim gratified than
young mans slave. Having deliv-
red this maternal lecture, the wild
" dilated upon the expenses Of the
aratoga trip, and was rather mark
l in her emphasis upon speedy
lbju CATION of the elderly adorer.
And Miss Lucia shrugged her
.ir sloping shoulders, threw over
lem cloud of black lace and de-
ended to the porch, where MIR.
urke waited to escort her for a
rive. His manner of wooing was
,rtainly more business.like than
Where Frank had
own elOouent over the beautv of