Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-02-25
PROVING HIS WORDS.
Uncle Coleman, I'm going to marry
Lucia Frothinghamr
sEh ? WIct;,

Uncle Coleman put down his news
paper, pushed his spetacles up on his
forehead, and glared at his nephew.
Going TO marry Lucia Frothing-
ham ? be cried, after gasping awhile
in sheer dismay.---.You idiot -.
4Thanks, was the cool reply. 4
know you do not admire the LADY, but
where there is . strong mutual love
Strong mutual fiddlestickp inter-
rupted Uncle Coleman, contemptuously.
, You may love her; she is pretty and
fascinating, but what she loves is your
bank account, my boz. l knew it
would be so when your Aunt Jennie
left you a cool hundred thousand. But
boys will be boys. Only, for goodness
sake, wait year or two before you
saddle yourself with WIFE
Il am twenty-one, SIR with an i'm
mense air of dignity.)
And l am si1ty-four Now, Frank,
do hear reason. Lucia rockingham
is fascinating woman, touching the
thirties, if not already over the line-a
finished flirt, and as mercenary as she
is pretty. l knew her, and tell you
her affection is centered upon your Aunt
Jennie's legacy, and the half million
in prospective at my bankers.
Uncle Coleman, cried his nephew,
hotly, 1 never thought of it, much less
spoke Of it.
i don't suppose you ever did. Hav-
ing always had an independent income,
l don't think you ever counted on a
dead mans shoes. But Miss Froth-
ini ham was educated in the hard school
Of Genteel poverty, and rich husband
is the prize for which she has studied
and toiled for-well, say ten years.
Size was in society before you were
done playing with marbles and tops
Uncle Coleman, you are speaking Of
my betrothcd wife, remember
Hem"
Years are Of no consequence where
there is true love-
HEM
And I love Lucia as she loves me-
Not bit of it.
Tomorrow she goes to Saratoga, and
if you can spare me l will go too
And the business in Hartford i? I
should advise YOU to attend to all mat
ters belonging to your aunt's estate as
socn as possible, frank
1t may keep me in Hartforda month";
said Frank. disconsolately.
Coleman Burke looked with n pitvirc
affection at his young relative, such a
boy yet in many matters, though he had
reached mans estate.
a month; that may settle your whole
fortune lie said. Remember men do
not fall heir TO a hundred thousand
dollars more the once in a e-time.
4 suppose must GO
1t will be best Besides added
Uncle Coleman, dryly. it will be good
test Of your lady loves constancy
i am not afraid of her forgetting
me, said Frank, loftily.
You are actually sngasedt'
Certainly! 1 bought a diamond
ring ats yesterday, and put it on
her taper finger last evening
Hem. Well, the fool-killer hasn't
been here lately, that's certain. There,
te off and let me finish my paper in
peace. You will so to Hartford:'
Yes
But after his nephew left him, Cole
man Burke let his paper lie idly upon
his lap. while he fell into ft of mus
ing, often interrupted by impatient
calculations. He was q man, as he had
said, past sixty. and had been child
less widower for thirty years. while
four little graves besides that of his
wife, recorded the heart history of his
lie.
When he had lived lonely and sim
cere mourner for many long years. his
brot her and wife died, leaving Frank.
curly headed boy, to the care of his
Uncle Coleman. All the long-sealed
fountains of love in the desolated heart
opened to pour out their affection upon
the child He was truly the very sun
light of the old mans existence, and
though his manner had been cynical.
his heart had been sorely wrupg by the
announcement of his engagement, but
not from any paltry jealousy. or any
mercenary motive. Had Frank loved
a true, tender woman, were she beg
gar, his uncle would have given her n
fathers love. and welcome But by the
light Of his own brief married happi-
ness. he read the misery III store for his
nel hew, if he married Lucia Frothing-
ham, fiirt, extravasant and selfish
How to save him was costing the old
man torturing thought. Active oppa-
sition would only strengthen what was
Row but a boyish infatustion, and vet
saved he must be. Suddenly light
broke over Coleman Burle's face, and
he rose from his chair and went to a
long mirror in the room. The r,flec-
tion was not calculated to walen vanity,
yet the old man smiled well pleased.
Ii | can only carry it out, it viii be
proof positive lie thought.
Short, fat. nearly bald. with specta-
cles. and . cane, Coleman Burke was
certainly strong contrast to the tall
handsome young fellow whe had won
Lucia for his promised bride, yet he
said aloud
IN cut him outr
A week later all the fashionables at
/ the C-Hotel, Saratoga. knew that
Coleman Burke was intending to take
q wife. What bird FIRST bore the news
upon the scented air no ope could have
told YOU, but there was no lack Of in
formation about the elderly bridegroom
in perspective. Everybody (thaf vas