The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-08-14


opportunity"
so, it is of no consequence at all!
said Mrs. Darling, with q countenance
that said plainly, it is OF the very great
est consequences, "perhaps we shall
find it somewhere in the house." But
the days slipped by, one by one, and
the doom of the pearl brooch remained
involved in the deepest mystery. Harry
Clifford bought another one and pre-
sented it to Mrs. Darling, with a little
complimentary speech. Mrs. Darling
laughed and pinned it into the folds of
the thread-lace barb she wore at her
throat.
"But it is so strange what can have
become of the other!" said Mrs. Oar
ling.
1t was in the month of September that
the old doctor and Mrs. Darling made
up their minds to invite Miss Bradbury
to tea.
eve will have a pound cake and pre-
served blackberries," said Mrs. Oar
ling, who always looked at the material
side of things.
"And if Harry don't come to terms
now, he never will" added her husband,
who didn't.
SECT out the best china, and the
chased silver tea-service, Ursula" said
Mrs. Darling.
"And wear your pink French calico,
child it's the most becoming dress
you have" said her uncle, with a
loving glance at the bright little bru-
nette.
And Ursula Percy obeyed both their
mandates.
Miss Bradbury came-a handsome,
snowy lady, with a smooth "society"
manner that made Ursula feel herself
very countrified and common indeed.
delicious preserves these !" said
Miss Bradbury.
"They are of Ursula's making" said
Mrs. Darling. And Harry Clifford
passed his plate for a second supply.
81 remember the day they were
brewed, or baked. or whatever it is
You call it," said he, with an arch glance
at Ursula.
Suddenly old DIR. Darling grew pur-
pie in the face. and began to cough
violently. Every n started up.
"He's swallowed the spoon ~ cried
Miss Bradbury.
"Ol o! he's got the apoplexy !"
screamed Mrs. Darling, Historically.
Uncle dearest uncle !" piped up
poor little Ursula, vaguely catching al
n glass of water.
But DR.. Darling recovered without
any more disastrous symptoms.
at isn't the spoon, and l don't come
of an apoplectic family" said he.
"But, upon my word, this is about the
biggest blackberry I ever came peril
ously near swallowing = And he held
out his wife's pearl brooch boiled up in
the blackberries.
There was amomentary silence around
the table and then it was broken by
Mrs. Darling-one of those blessed old
ladies who never see an inch beyond
their noses.
"My goodness gracious !" said Mrs.
Darling how could it everhave come
into the preserved blackberries? L
don't-see-"
"But l do" said DR.. Darling, look
ing provokingly knowing. eyes, 1 see
a good many things now that I didn't
see before"
And Harry, CHANGING across the table
at Ursula, was somewhat consoled to
perceive that her cheek was a shade
more scarlet, if that were possible, than
his own.
He followed the Doctor into his office
when the evening meal was concluded.
Ursula did not know how she ever
would have lived through it were it not
for Mrs. Darling's delightful obtuse-
ness, and Sophy Bradbury's surface
visseoyahe matter.
doctor" he began ~valiantly but
the old gentleman interrupted him.
"There's no need of any explanation,
my boy" said he. al know Low why
you didn't want to marry Miss Brad
bury. And 1 don't say that 1 blame you
much +; only I came near choking to