Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1874-11-26

usual uncOm1OrtaUlC night ride fOr there
were then no sleeping cars on this line of
railroad, he found himself in due time walk
ing in the gray light OF the morning to Pod
gers Place.
True to her promise Mrs. Podsers had writ
ten to Scribbleton while he was in the city.
and true 10 his determination before quitting
her he had left her misSivc unopened and un-
touched in the box at the Lt'g,r office. As
he ncarcd the house he bcthought himself OF
! this, and smiiinglv congratulated himself that
he Was returning alone, and to o quiet house,
instead of III the company OF that hoydcnish,
toM-lov sor: of Il niece who would have kept
things in IN rproar and worried his life out
But Mrs pod-crs would be greatly disap-
pointed ~ course and this reflection made
him lttl, lneasy. Had he not, however, a
clear way cut of il: What could he have
done. since he had not learned her wishes in
the premises: But the preparation Of these
excuses did not quite satisfy conscience,
though they mi iii: Mrs. Podgers; and when
met at the door Of their room by that lxdys
smiling face. he felt so guilty that he quite
rcpcnted the deccptior. For notwithstanding
the early hour Mrs. Podgcrs was already
asir. She had always been very carly riser,
and even now in her old age she was gencr
ally the first person up in the house when her
strength permitted: and delighted to kinlle
her own fire when the season of an artificial
warmth was at hand.
To Scribbleton's great wonder, however,
Mrs Podger's did not seem either surprised
or disappointed to see him return alone, and
he began to believe that she must have for
gotten the niece or changed her intentions
respecting her. He hoped so at all events:
and answered her many questions about his
doings in the city. and listened to her mild
reproaches for not writing to her, with
mind quite at rest upon all l,v:>to ovcpnt the
single one of breakfast He hinted this, ana
urged that if possible it be FASTENED little,
for night of wakcfulness made it seem q
week since he had last eaten, and lie didn't
believe he could wait some four hours for the
usual time.
"Certainly, my dear" answered Mrs. Pod
got my letter of course and learned my change
of plans regarding my nicce?"
81 was right thought Scribbleton; "she
concluded not to send for her. All! that's
delightful" He continued aloud, "No, l
didn't get any letter. Did you writc:"
'sWhy, of course did. And l explained
that l wouldn't trouble you about her, but
would communicate directly with herself, and
leave her to come when she got ready. l
feared that she might not like strangers
company, and so not come at all. She used
to be very bashful.
'The old Nick, you did," thought Scrib-
| hleton. "Thcn she's liable to drop down on
us with an avalanche of trunks and bandbOxes
at any moment Oh, DEAR
''Ah." was all he said aloud.
eyes" continued Mrs. Podgers, glowing
with the information she was about to i'm
part. land greatly to my delight she arrived
Yesterday evening and is now up stairs"
'Thc deuce you say" calculated Scrib-
bleton before he could control himself.
'sNhy, how you surprised me: don't Won
der you were delighted
And Scribbleton smiled the melancholy
smile ,f man who feels he has done his
whol ,ty in the premises and that the world
can, ,stly blame him if the bulldog has
oye lin, and is showing what he knows
abe :. fundamental rules by performing
the process Of Scribbleton on his trousers
seat.
Eyes. she's here, and between the three OF
us anticipate delightful times. But since
I've seen what handsome, charming young
woman she has got to be, I'm almost sorry
she came, for l fear shall have plenty OF
cause to be jealous" And Mrs. Podgers
looked roguishly at her husband. "But
don't care, she continued, ''and you have
my permission TO be as gallant to her as ever
you please; for she's dear girl, and
wouldn't even mind knowing that she's to be
Mrs. Podgers when am out of the way.
Mrs. Podgers then disappeared to give
orders concerning the breakfast, leaving
scribbleton to prepare his toilet. The latter
remarked her ";mble skip Is she left the room
and shook his Lead uneasily. ''She seems to
be gaining strength every day." he unused.
(which don't promise well for the desirea
outcome. When l first saw her she could
scarcely support her weight; and now she
walks about % nimbly as girl. Did she
simulate weakness to deceive mes WAS the
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