The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-04-05

room. About midnight still listening,
the heard the gate slam y John Cotton
departed.
Somehow it wasn't 90 very funny
after all, !" whispered Sue, "and I'm %
afraid auutie will find us out.''
BAIL 70 to sleep; she'll never suspect
us How could shet" answered Belle,
and 70 the mischief. loving spirits closed
their bright eyes and went TO sleep, dream
ing of fresh sport for the morrow.
'GiTls," said Miss Pinkhsm, the next
morning, as the trio sat discussing most
delicious breakfast, " you no doubt saw
me receive letter yesterdayr ~
Now it's coming" thought Sue, turn
ing her eyes stealthily toward her sister,
whose countenance was wearing an ex-
preston Of the most perfect noHckalance.
As there was no reply, the cool, calm
voice continued:
"In this letter was an offer of mar
riage. Mr.. Cotton has honored me by
asking my hand, which with pene-
trating glance at her two nieces-" have
promised him
"Oh, Aunt Becky" cried the girls, in
breath.
It will somewhat interfere with our
previous plans" resumed the lady, cold
". Mr.. Cotton and l are to be mar
ried the first of June. and our bridal trip
will be to the Centennial. OF course, if
you care to remain the summer, you can
do SO; you are welcome to my house, and
Mr.. and Mrs. jenkins will do all in their
power 10 make you comfortable"
well 60 home!" snapped Belle. If
we'd known
"Of course we none of us can see into
the FUTURE" resumed Aunt Becky, calm
ly. When / invited you to spend the
spring and summer I could not foresee
the letter received yesterday. Circum-
stances alter cases.
Small appetite had the nieces for coffee
and mullins and delicious cream toast
now, and, soon excusing themselves from
the table, they sought their own room,
where they began packing their trunks
and preparing for departure.
I'VE missed the best part of it all, ;"
muttered Belle. ssI wish we could have
heard how they made it up in the
Kitchen
"We eavesdropped little too much,
think, for our own good" pouted Sue.
Aunt heard you laugh"
"You as much as I,'' answered Belle.
But gou contrived it ALL" wept Sue,
"and now good-by to our summers camp
ing at Maniteu Springs, and our trip on
ponies to the top Of Pixies Peak"
Well, it can't be helped now," replied
sprightly Belle, and, for my part, I'm
not going to cry over split milk"
"Well, we'll not stay 10 call him
uncle anyway" pouted Sue, quite
ready to cry again. "Idon't suppose we
shall ever see Colorado again. Aunty'll
never ask US again.
OF course not" answered Belle, de-
fiant till the last; but who caresi''
The following note, received few
months later by the mischief loving girls
in tSeir Illinois home, explains itself:
CIRcLEvIILE, Col, Feb. Z, 1877.
DEAR NIEcEs: As we are intending to spend
the coming summer travelling through the mount
aims, having already procured a splendid camp
ing outfit for that purpose, we unite in cordially
inviting you to accompany We shall look
for you April l. Come without fail. Your
grateful uncle and aunt.
JOHN AND REBEccA CoLToN.
So Belle and Sue will visit Colorado
again after all.
81 don't see why we should feel mean
over it, Sue," says black-eyed Belle, as
she seals up their letter of acceptance.
You see they realize they owe all their
happiness to rs, and "all's well that
ends we'll '''-Mrs. L. w. George, in N.
Y. Weekly.