The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-01-03

Susan said we must he sure to have
things extra, and that Miss Gabrielle
loved poetry, books and chocolate creams.
He, he! She don't look much like it..
But must hurry up and get her and the
rest of the bundles into the trap.
The getting Miss Hammond into the
trap proved task of some difficulty.
She had evidently rigid ideas of the
proper and becoming. Perceiving this,
the gentleman who had been addressed
by Len as Mr.. Bunce, hastily smoothed
his hair, pulled up his collar, and pausing
only to insert in his shirt~front ruby
breasrpin, gallantly fastened to her res
cue.
"Allow me the pleasure of assisting
you, miss. Steps rayther high for lady
Here, Zakiel,a cheer for the lady-quick p
By means of the combined assistance
Of this article offurniture and Mr. Bunce's
strong arm, Miss Hammond was at length
seated, and while Len busted himself in
final preparations, he essayed to make
himself agreeable.
"Had a pleasant ride, miss? All! Hill-
sides nice place. Plenty O. the best to
eat-6nc fruit, vegetables, apple pies and
chickens. Why, you'll pick up in no time
and grow so plump that your own
friends IL skercely know you"
The ladys sallow cheek flushed slight
ly, and as the wagon drove away, Mr..
Lucullus Bunce rubbed his head Driskly,
with new and eager light in his grey
eyes, and murmured audibly-
"I'll be blest if don't!"
"Smart man, that ERE" remarked Miss
Hammonds Jehu, confdentially. Gowns
the grocery shop, and does good bust
ness, but he's a pushing, driving karicter,
and wants to tun up steam factory and
sawmill. Sartin to make forth in no
time if he had the capital.
On the day following Ellie arrived; but,
not being recognized as an heiress, ex-
cited no admiration or attention beyond
what her pretty face commanded. She
was 1.-THE poor one" according to Len,
consequently played second fiddle to her
mature relative, in the estimation of her
new acquaintance.
She, however troubled herself very
little as to what they might or might not
think of her. She was in love, poor child
really in love-and her young heart
was too much oppressed by the difficult
situation in which she found herself.
Should she give up her uncle for her
lover, or her lover for her uncle2 She
felt that she could not do the latter, and
both duty. and a sense of gratitude and
affection caused her to shrink from the
former.
Meantime, she roamed about the pref
ty groves and meadows of Hillside, and
read Tennyson, which DR.. Gray had given
her before she left home, and felta COM
fort and soothing in the fresh, sweet ma
ture about her, which made her cheerful
and hopeful.
As to her cousin, Miss Gabrielle, she
had settled down to steady sewing,
and Ellie thought she had never before
seen her so silent and preoccupied-
except when Mr.. Lucullus Bunce was
present.
He had called at Hillside in a radiant,
gorgeous plaid suit and extensive assert
ment Of jewelry-as he himself amiably
explained, "because he knew the ladies
were lonesome, and would like to be
checred up Bit"
Ellie was amused, but glad to find that
she was not required to entertain him,
and that her cousin kindly allowed her
to slip off when she chose, and never in
sisted on her accompanying herself and
MIR. Bunce in their str0lls in the garden
and lanes.
And so, day after day, Mr.. Lucullus
made his appearance, bringing with him
packages OF sweets, huge boquets of gor-
geous colored flowers, wherein coxcomb
and marigold conspicuouslY figured, and
variety OF literature social, political
and religious.
In his presence Miss Gabrielle seemed
all smiles; but Ellie wondered why, when
they two sat alone in the room appropria-
ted to them, so anxious and thoughtful
an expression should sit upon her rather
faded brow, and contract her no longer
fresh lips.
The truth was that Miss Gabrielle, like
Mr.. Bunce himself, was playing a des-
perate game. Despite his pretence at in
nocence, she was not long in perceiving
the mistake into which he had
fallen in regard to her own and Ellies
respective positions; and, being shrewd
and quick witted, was at no loss to what
motive to attribute his disinterested at.
tentions.
But herein she saw chance for herself
ONE for which she had for years been
vainly, and, of late, almost hopelessly
pining.
The one aim of her life had been to
get married. She had with horror felt
herself drifting into what she regarded
with unspeakable dread-old maidism
and she caught eagerly at the chance of
saving herself.
Mr.. Bunce might be little odd,
little rough and unpoiishea, but she
would be Mrs." and with that tower
of strength to her name, she could brave
everything and everybody.
SO Miss Gabrielle Hammond was verv
careful not to undecieve him, and even in
confidence mentioned his mistake to
Ellie, affecting to look upon it as a joke,
and bcseeching that young lady to let it
60 Ont would be so funny!
And one day, when Mr.. Bunce, in his
haste and anxiety to secure his prize,
spoke Of love in a cottage, with water and
crust, or the more luxurious fare of bread
and cheese, and hum Miss Hammond
exhibited d maiden bashfulness which
encouraged him to a more decided propo-
sitiOn. 49,
And then she told him, qtimidly, that
she knew her friends would all oppose
their marriage; and Mr.. Lucullus, tremb-
ling less the golden prize should escape
him, suggested an immediate private
marriage.
Thus it happened that on certain
day, as DR.. Hammond sat writing in his