New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-25

Eu6ulUk U6CA W IL 0S0lu. AuOSO AhtAOSDAocos
unfortunately, were such as to make him
more eager than ever for an introduction.
Countless pieces of paper were fsund about
the house, the beginning of letters present.
ing ..Mr. Edward Letters compliments to
Captain Aldyce." and begging for an intel.
view at Mrs. Woods. OF some other OF
Uncle Ted's choice resorts. at the captains
earliest convenience. These notes sadly
alarmed Sophy, who felt sure the writer
was waiting his opportunity to throw one
into the captains carriage. or have 1t de-
livered to him in the house, as perhaps it
would be, in her own presence.
AL his efforts failing, Uncle Ted had OF
late begun to give way to dependency:
This had been brought on by a severe cold
he had caught through waiting half an hour
10 the area on foggy evening just TO see
the captains carriage lamps flash by. lie
had not been out 70: the last day or two. to
the wonder o. seyera. small pensioners of
his to whom he made a daily allowance Of
hard bake out Of the little money with
which che doctor ventured to trust him for
his smut. lie lad passed most of his time
in the kitchen. and had been rather more
silent--"nOpish," az the cook expressed it,
and altogether less sOciable than usual,
muttering. when asked what he would take
20 ear. some gloomy allusion to dry crust,
and snsppishiy Offering. when asked where
he would sit, to 20 to the coal hole, it his
doing 30 would afford anybody satisfaction.
Dr.. L. tflcy found him seated by the fire.
and his first glance at him led him to sus.
pect even more opposition to Sophys wishes
than he had anticipated.
'Vm sorry to hear your colds worse. Ed.
ward" he said in a professional tone. ''You
must go to bed very early"
TO his surprise. Uncle Ted answered i'm
medately:
eyes, Theodore. think viii go to bed
early tonight"
II would, indeed. Edward" urged the
doctor.
IL think III go now. Theodore" declared
Uncle Ted, rising from his chair.
"Well, really would" agreed the doc.
tor. trying hard not to appear too much
relieved.
He began to think as ae gave Uncle Ted
his arm up the stairs, that he must have
forgotten about the party altogether. but
as he gave him over to Johns care, IN the
hall, he was undeceived in this matter by
Uncle Ted's observing quietly, as he looked
around at the camelies and Lights
II should like to have seen Sophy when
she's dressed
"You shall do so.- said the doctor. "Sophy
shall run up aud and see you, only you
must not trouble her about anything. She
is Over-excited as it is; you must not add to
~
way
mo, Theodore" answered Uncle Ted,
meekly. and after one dazed, lingering look
at the light and flowers. passed up the
stairs with John.
He kept his word. for when Sophy went
up to his little room at the top of the house,
John carrying two candles before her and
her maid keeping her dress from touching
the floor, Uncle Ted only raised himself or
his elbow and gazed at her till the tears
came into his eyes; then he lay down again.
saying gently: =.
thank you, Sophy: am much obliged
to you, Scphy. Haven't excited you. have
1, Sophy! Tell your father have not OK.
cited you, darling"
Sophy assured him with conscience.
smitten tenderness. and throwing him a
flower out of her bouquet and courtesying
with mock sOlemnity at the door OF his little
room, left him by himself.
Cook had promised to send him up some
cruel. but forgot all about it. and he lay in
the dark. listening to the music and think.
ing of his darling, all loneliness and love,
floating among the lights and flowers. and
OF the bright young coHGueroc whom he was
not allowed to see.
After lying so long time. lie heard John
bounding up the stairs to take a peep at
himself before attending supper.
Uncle Ted called TO him. but he tripped
down again. calling back carelessly:
"Can't stop. Mr.. Hedward. Just a.gotng
into supper. Lie down and keep warm now.
or we shall! be ahaving brunkeetis set in.
Be up directly. Haze ve,corc."
It was about half an hour after midnight
when John whispered something to Or.
Letter that caused him to 60 out OF the
room and go straight up to Uncle Tei's
attic.
The doctor sa. down on the edge of his
brothers bed, scarcely knowing for a mo.
msnt or two what it was which had so
shaken him-his sudden ascent Of the stairs.
the sight of Uncle Ted's face or the weak
cry with which he had greeted him.
Theodore. will see him-I'ye right to
see him.
'Be quiet. Edward; you shall see whom
you like: but don't excite yourself. What
is the matter! Have you been alone long!"
The quiet. authoritative. professional tone
and manner had some effect. Uncle Ted |
became little calmer.
The doctor gave John some directions, !
sent him down stairs, made an alteration in |
the arrangement of tina pillows, then sat |
DOWN again and felt his brothers pulse.
Theodore"
Don't talk. Edward: don't talk sust
now said the doctor: presently will do" !
mo. 1t won't: Theodore. want to tell |
rou something
well. it vii! relieve yor. Bu: you must
DC very quiet"
Theodore. the nigh: father died-you
Know ! was alone. taking care Of the house
me and Mrs. Webfoe. l was out when
hey brought him home in the fit: I was
aking cup Of tea at Neutrality-suspicious.
woman. Theodore-.persect lady. though re.
iuced to mangle."
Don't excite yourself. Edward. pray"
a kha Il J,av, l
Orebodings as to the actual existence. after
VI, OF the long dreaded sis:er.in law.
"Well!"
''We had conversed on the subiec. of
our quarrel with poor father. and she ioked
ne about being likely TO have all if he
hould die before you made it up, and said
hat PEOPLE did say he had will made in
~ favor. Then they fetched me. Theo.
ore--Mrs. Webfoe came in cab for me-"
NOW you are exciting yourself. Edward"
Theodore. he did have a will, leaving all
me; he put it into my own hands-this-
his
''Be quiet; pray be quiet said the doctor.
alt dreamlly. keeping one of his brothers
ands as he took the thing they thrust into
is.
He was almost startled out Of his usual
lscrutab!e pulse-feeling expression. How
reat and sudden change must have come |
the poor, weak, isolated mind-all unno. |
ced-for such an idea to have found place
nd conviction in it: At that moment a
of his brothers manner when
9 had returned home after his fathers
ldden death caused the doctor to think
YER the words he had lust heard in an |
ntirely different spirit.
After sitting, looking into his face min.
te, he got up slowly and went to the candle
18th the paper Uncle Ted had given him.
here was no fnstaking it. for the very
lme whose reported existence twelve wears
20 had filed his heart with misgiyins and
tterness.