The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-08-07

uig ~, anu Whilc He 10 waving w ~
the forms to be gone through with, in
order to gain admission, he will most
likely die in the street"
"Well, let him die said Mrs Hall.
"That's no business of mine that know
of
NIFTY looked at me. ! looked at Nit.
ty. Our eyes both sparkled mute tele-
graphic messages to each other-and l
spoke out of tue choking indignant full
ness of my heart.
Mrs. Hail. cried !, "Mr. Waller
may come here. whoever he is. A sick
man, friendless and alone, should be able
to claim brotherhood with all the world.
NIFTY and | will take care of him until
| he is able to take care Of himself
Mrs. Hall took us at our word with OK.
IRENE promptitude. aud before nighttal
poor bernard Waller was snugly install
in. tic little vacant room over the wins
bling idly of people aud places on the
Continent that we never had heard of.
Dir Mi,lett shook his head very grave
ly, .He is very sick man. was his
verdict.
Kate whispered NIFTY. when tho
doctor was gone, and the sick man was
all still and settled for the night, "sup
pose-suppose he should die :
In that case, NIFTY, | don't think W.
should ever repent that we had done oul
duty"
:" | am sure we should not said Nit
ty softly
But Bernard Waller did not die. H.
got well and, of course, according tt
all the rules of true love, he lost his hear
to Mitty's blue eyes and pretty face.
You'll never allow your sister TO mar
ry painter +" said Mrs Hall, spitefully
!" l am sure have no objections to he
becoming an artists wife, us long as the,
love eacu other said l, laughing.
"Well, really" said Mrs Hall. If i
were my Henrietta"
But it isn't your Henrietta inter
rupted, little sharply " it is our Nifty
and she has chosen to suit herself, ant
/. for one, am entirely satisfied.
Well, they were married in quiet sor
Of way.
| ain reaching the end my story nov
---the romance that irradatcd ouf lives
when the cake was cut. and NIFTY unt
Bernard had gone on their tour. will
humble little me along as bridesmaid
We had travelled all day, and towards
night, on glorious October day, VI
drove into the gate of spacious ole
place, where were octagonal towers am
ivy mantled walls.
"Oh, what fine old place" said Nit
ty "Ah, look at that lovely, glitterins
fountain, and the beds of scarlet gerani
um. Bernard, are you going to sketcl
this place p
:. may, in time" said my sisters hus
band, cornposcuty, dc cpr"n5 on. an
opened the carriage door.
"Arc you going to get out here, Der
nard Do you know the people y
But before he could answer, the gfea
carved oak door flew open, revealing ,
stately entrance hall, with moss color
ed carpet on the floor. Wax lights glow
ed softly, pictures CLEANED down frou
the walls, chairs upholstered in yiole
velvet stood around TO NIFTY and m
it was like glimpse of fairyland.
| - w no lives mere, bernard Sllii p ct
sisted NIFTY. as she advanced timidly vi
the broad marble steps.
q do. Welcome home, sweet wife
welcome home, sister"
stared blankly at his bright face
6 But, Bernard, we thought you wcr
poor"
:" Did l ever say l was Z? When l cam
to B. to sketch, certainly saw no occa
sion to proclaim my private affairs to til
good people there. ! engaged room
at Mrs. Halls because it was convenient
When was i'll and delirious, | could no
tell the truth. When knew how goot
and true you two dear girls were, | re
solved that could wait and give you
surprise. l was only an amateur artist
| am rich, but am Bernard Waller still.
Now wasn't that romance2 And, yol
see, it really happened to NIFTY and me
and we are fine ladies now, and driv,
about with our open barouche and cream
colored horses. And you can guess how
discounted Mrs. Hall and Henriett;
were when they first heard the real posi-
ton of the sick artist