The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1878-05-29

i
is merry and thoughtless now, but /
think she will develope into a splen-
did woman" &
Mrs. Delmayne cast an uneasy
look at her brohter-in-law's face as
she left the room. She had reason
for wishing Dot safely disposed of;
she was fearful that Richard might
fall in love with his fascinating ward,
and that would never do, for if he
were to marry it would dash Mrs.
Delmayne's hopes to the ground.
She had secretly determined that her
son Dick-his uncle's name-sake--
should be his heir. Besides her broth
er-in-law's elegant residence made
very comfortable home for herself
and fatherless boy, and madame had
no intention of losing it, hence she
made the most of Dots mischievious
escapades.
/ Just as madames silken skirts rus
tied up stairs the hall dooor flew
open and light footsteps danced along
the passage.
"Dot Dot p called Mr. Delmayne.
The appellation exactly suited the
young girl who entered. A dainty
form, a dark piquant face, lit up with
a pair of black eyes which sparkled
with mischief.
"Well Gaurdy," she said with a
saucy smile, which revealed dim
pie in each soft pink cheek. "What
lis it lecture 2"
eyes Dot" replied Mr. Delmayne,
gravely, Il really must lecture you.
Your conduct to Mr.. Vonsonby was
extremely unladylike."
II don't care, Gaurdy," cried Dot,
defiantly, II can't bear old Vonsonby,
and / am confident that Mrs. Del
mayne invited him here to make love
to me, so resolved to Illustrate her
kind intentions She left me to en-
terrain him all the evening, and was
just dying to finish Jane Eyre
Well, | gave him the last number of
Scri6ner's and the Monthly Revie,o,
and hoped he would entertain him
self; but no he wanted me to play
game of cribbage l hate crlbbage,
so / told him / never played the game
without stalking a small sum OF mo-
ney, just to make it interesting"
"OhDotl"
Gle looked Mortified at the idea of
gambling, and asked for some music,
SO l sat down to the piano and made
l.Gs=sallah noise as possible Hhasaid
that sort of music was very edifying,
but it made his head ache, and he
asked me to favor him with annie
Laurie. l complied by playing Yam
kee Doodle with variations, for /
knew he could not distinguish the
difference. Just as / was playing the
last bar / was startled by aprolonged |
snore-he had actually gone to sleep
with his head hanging over the chair,
his wig awry and his mouth wide
open Now, Gaurdy, you must ad-
NIT that was too much for flesh and
blood to endure, and / don't profess
to be saint"
"Not by any means" assented her
guardian.
" Well" continued Dot "a happy |
thought struck me. l ran softly up |
stairs and got an old red wig that |
Dick used to wear when ne belonged |
to the Ametuer Dramatic Club.
Then / carefully removed Mr.. Won
sonby's nicely dressed black wig, and |
substituted the red one. / had to
stuff my handkerchief into my mouth |
to keep from laughing, you can't i'm
imagine how comical he looked!
"Well, / waited for him to finish his
nap until my patience was exhausted,
and then | went to the piano and
gave an auful thump with both hands.
He gave sudden start and straight
ended up. gravely enquired how he
liked the piece
"Charming ! charming" he replied
with enthusiasm Railways admired
Annie Laurie"
Just at that moment he happened
to glance at the clock and finding it
later than he expected he jumped up
in great haste.
II declare !" he said II had no idea
it was SO late; how swiftly the time
has passed in your fascinating society;
but l must tear myself away, for l
have an engagement at eight o'clock
"Then he bade me adieu, pulled on
his overcoat in great hurry, seized
his hat and rushed down the street.
"But Guardy, he did look so fun
ny with those fierce red locks around
his countenance, and Dot broke into
peals of laughter at the recollection
HDot c;ad Mr. nolo,o,,,,o lool-;.,o.