The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-10-06
COUSIN DICK.

Mr.. and Mrs Woodford were enjoying
"a confidential matrimonial chat over
tete-d-tete dessert, and discussing at some
length the antecedents and probable
future of cousin, Mr.. Richard Brough-
ton, who had lately dropped down on
liverpool express train. This gentleman
had been crossed in love" Always a
musical enthusiast, he had become at
tached to an amiable girl, a young con-
cert singer, who was the mainstay of her
mother-the widow of captain in the
army-and some younger sisters; and
having himself not yet made a fair start
in life, the elders of both families rose up
IN arms against the alliance.
Mrs. Woodford, Of nearly the same age
as her Cousin Dick, had been his conf
dante in their boy and girl days had
sympathized warmly with his disap-
pointment, without very precisely under
standing how it had come about, and was
now assuring her husband that the at
tachment had been far more serious
affair than very youthful fancies COM
monty are, 1t was true the gentleman
had so far consoled himself as to marry
another lady; though it was reported he
had welded Il shrew, who had not made
him supremacy happy. But he had lost
his wife some time before leaving Aus
tralia; and now, after a sojourn Of near
ly twenty years in the colonies, had re-
aurned TO England with something more
than competence,
But what became of Miss Clifton ;,
asked Mr. Woodford.
That | do not know" returned the
lady. Clifton was only her profess
,sional name; her real one | quite forgot:
therefore, if from any circumstance she
passed into private life, it would not be
easy to track her. Dick called her Alice
to me-"
Probably she is also married." said
Mr.. Woodford,
Possibly" replied his wife; though
women are more constant than men; and
though she ceased to answer Dicks let
gers, and really brought him to a state of
misery which drove him out of England
never thought the fault was quite her
own"
While Mr. Woodford was yet speak
lng, there was knock at the door, and
Mr.. Broughton was announced.
Why did you not come to dinnerw
cried Mr.. Woodford, rising to greet his
visitor But we can have the lamb
brought back" he added
Thanks, thanks" said Mr. Brough-
ton; but | dined at the hotel. | am
sure | ought to apologize for calling at
such a time, and for having brought
Dandy with me-"
Dandy was a terrier, and his masters
almost inseparable companion.
Now Dandy, behaved continued
his master, land 90 and beg pardon for
toth of Us. Say we know we are two
unraannerly colonial Doors, at present
unit for good society"
Very much as if the sagacous animal
understood every word of this address,
he approached Mrs. Woodford, and set
on his launches in a begging attitude.
" He means biscuit" said the lady
with laugh, and suiting the action to
the word by giving him one, with a
caressing pat into the bargain.
Seriously, however" said Mr..
Broughton, | would not have come at
such an hour, but | wanted so much to
tell you that | at last found lodgings
which | think will just suit me. Or
rather, | should say, Dandy found them
for me-"
Dandy. Well, he is clever dog!
lie will talk next, | suppose But"
continued Mrs. Woodford, " at present
his master must explain"
" 1t sounds ridiculous, perhaps, to tell
of such trifes, replied her cousin; "but
for the last three or four days-ever
since the hot weather set in, / have felt
quite interested in shop in your
hborhood-mainly, | think, from
the humanity displayed by the owner in
setting large bowl of sparkling water
by the door fer the convenience of the
poor painting dogs, fol which Dandy has
been grateful more than once. 1t is a
music warehouse on a small scale; but
where ttey also sell fine ornaments and
ladies Berlin work, and so on"
~ | know the shop" interrupted Mrs.
Noodtord; Z it is kept by widow and
her maiden sister, who seem very super
Tor people"
:" Oh, | am glad you know the place.
continued Mr.. Broughton. "Wen. this
afternoon as usual | waited, looking in
ut the shop window, while Dandy
9uen,ched his thirst, and wishing I COULD
uecide on something to purchase, bv way
OF llquldating my dogs debt, when | oh.
served card which intimated there were
apartments to let. There were direc.
tlons to knock at the private door. Int
seeing me finger on the spot LONGER than
usual, Dandy had entered the sbop. and
when l followed to look after him
saw him planted firmly near an inner
door, and accepting the caresses of a lit
Tie girl about seven years old. as if he
had known her all his life / made in
quiries about the apartments, and found
they consisted of the first floor, nice
bed room, and pleasant sitting. room; at
tendance with good cooking guaranteed,
and no other dodgers taken. OF course
went up stairs to look at the rooms.
Dandy leading the way with the canine
gravity which you remarked in him the
other day. He jumped on a chair to
look out of the window, and then on the /
'ofa,as if to examine the softness of the /
and finally gave little yelp, I
which was only half bark, and which I
eemed to say: Master, this will do;
lere we are quite at home Even the
mistress of the house, Mrs. GRAY,
aughed at the evident contentment of
ne dog. But what charmed me was,