The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-03-12

a. ''NAI FO's A'
And then Frank was in the DON and
the two exchanged cordial greetings.
"And Lucia!" Frank questioned, sis
she well?"
"She was perfectly well last evening,
when [ took her for a drive"
"YouI'
"Certainly. You do not suppose |
have failed in attention to my future
niece, do YOU"
"You like her better than you did,"
continued Frank, pleadingly.
"Sce here, Frank" the Old man said,
suddenly wheeling round from the glass
to face his nephew. 4 have Il bargain
to make with you. Ii, within an hour,
[ prove Lucia false, mercenary, and Il
traitor to her promise to you, Will you
give her up! Stop, If she is true, low
ing and faithful, / will withdraw my
harsh WORDS, and will give her the love |
always hoped to give your wife"
But how can YOU find out :" said the
young man, astonishcd ut his unclc's en-
crgctic proposal.
1t is YOU who are to find out. [ am
already satisfied. You are to go to the
center window Of the small drawing-room
of the east porch, and listen to Il CONVEX
s'tion I I'm to have, by appointment,
with Miss rockingham"
"Eavesdropping."
"Neycr mind that grand air Of con-
tempt. am to have my way for just
one hour, and you can take her after
ward for a lifetime. VIII You go?"
"If you say So"
"GO, them"
Just Il little later, Miss rockingham,
all smiles and white muslin, sailed into
the east drawing-roomto greet her elderly
admirer. With an air OF deepest deyo-
ton, he raised her hand to his lips and
greeted her with a fiowery compliment.
q prcslume,'h he said, in a low tender
tone, "you are at no loss to guess why /
have ventrred to summon yOu here. You
must have understood the meaning Of
my attention. Need I tell You how dear
YOU have become to me? Need | speak
of the love You have inspired?"
"You are 50 kind" she murmured.
q am contemplating a speedy return
to the city, and [ wish to arrange for the
wedding, if | can obtain any expression
of yoTr wishes. Do not object to any
early day"
"Any day will be suprcmely blest,'
she said, softly, "that makes me yorr
wife.
My wife. Bless my soul, my nephew
told ne"
ooh a., Mr.. Burke, You do not imagine
/ have encouraged that boy" with an
accent Of most magnificent scOrn. "He
is an amiablc young fellow, and / have
been kind to him. But love between my
self and Il boy of that age is simply pre-
posterous."
q am awarc the disparity of years
My dear Mr.. Burke, do not speak of
that. TO me there is a dignity and no.
bility about a man who has passed mid
die life that can never be attained with
out the experience of years. Believe me,
your having a slight advantage of me in
age will but increase my affection"
"You are only too kind. Then l may
tell Frank that you-'
"Why talk of Frank? Surely You
may choose a wife without your nephew's
interference"
81 choose a wife! My dear young
lady, what are you talking about | have
no intention of seeking a wife.
"No-intention-of seeking a wife
Have you not just made me an offer of
marriage!"
"Not at ALL" was the cool reply. 81
was under the impression that You were
engaged to my nephew. As Frank is my
nearest relative and my heir, [ was anx-
ious to win the affection of his promised
wife. But since there is no engagement
between you-'
"Oh, Mr.. Burke, you must have mis-
understood me. My only fear was lest
Won should not sanction oUr love. Dear
Frank has often spoken to me of your
fatherly love for him. You will not re-
peat to Frank the conversation We have
had? my confusion-you will forget
my wild words?"
L u,