San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-04-27

lZlHS ucr IaCc, tS Ihcy ooooN ia S
doorstep waiting for the door to be
opened.
Yes, know" said Rachel, glanc-
ing round with Frightening eyes. "That
is very choice climbing rose over the
window, if it was only properly train
ed.n
cts rather lonesome" said Uncle
Ben.
81 like the country" Rachel an
swered, hopefully
As she spoke, slipshod old woman
appeared to let them in, and led the way
to the best room, green-curtained ap-
partment, with shabby carpet on the
floor, and fire in the CRATE that emitted
far more smoke than caloric.
"Smoky chimneys, ehP" said Uncle
Ben.
"The draught seems to be poor" said
Rachel; "but dare say it can be. alter
ed.n
"I hadn't any idea the ceilings were
so low" grumbled the old gentleman.
"It's partly the effect of the large
pattern of the wallpaper" said Rachel,
with a glance at the red and green
monstrosities. GA narrow striped pat
tern will improve it."
"What queer little cupboards by the
sides of the nlantel!" said Uncle Ben.
"Oh, they will be nice for our best
china" said Rachel.
"My DEAR" said the old gentleman,
81 believe you are determined to be
pleased. Do you really think you shall
like this placer"
81 shall like any place where Hugh
is !" said Rachel, brightly.
She went all over the;house with the
old gentleman, planning improvements,
and suggesting and contriving, until he
really began to think she would make
an Arcadia out of the tumble-down old
farm. And if she shed few tears on
her pillow when she went to rest under
the caves of the roof, in an apartment
which must have been built for Tom
Thumb, Uncle Ben Benedict never sus-
pected it.
There was the chariot at the door
when Rachel rose from her breakfast of
bread and butter and coffee the next
morning.
"Come, my LASS" said the old gen
tleman, 81 want to show you place
further up the road, which has been
taken for friend of NINE"
The drive and the delicious Septem-
Der air were like an invigorating tonic
to our wearied little bride; and pic
ture after the style of Vatican awaited
them, in the exquisite villa, with its
rose-clad bay-windows, and picturesque
ly sloping roof. Rustic chairs stood
under the bowling branches of the elms
on the lawn, and marble cupid, sold
inc up q carved conch-shell, scattered
bright rain into flower-bordered basin
directly in front OF the gates.
"Oh, how beautiful!'' cried Rachel.
81 never saw such superb scarlet geran-
iums in my life; and what a lovely mar
ble-paved hall"
"You like the appearances?
"Oh, yes; tits beautiful"
"Come in my dear, and see how you
like the INTERIOR" said the old gentle
man, serenely.
1t was perfect, from the drawing
rooms, with their superb Brussels car
pets and exquisite silk hangings, to the
chambers all in white and pink, like
the inside of roses heart, and the
fairy conservatory, stocked with
camelias, heliotrope, and rare fuchsias,
at the south end of the house.
"It is like fairyland," cried Rachel,
enthusiastically. "Do tell me, Uncle
Ben, who is to live here?"
Uncle Ben turned round and faced
her.
"You, my dear!"
"And Hugh, of course?"
"To be sure!"
"But, uncle" gasped little Rachel,
quite overwhelmed by this unexpected
good luck, 1" the other house"
"That's only little joke of mine!
This is the real home, and l give it to you
with all the more pleasure that you were
disposed to make the best of the bad
bargain you thought you were in for.
Ny dear, the contented mind you pos
sessed is worth a thousand houses!"
And Rachel felt something warm and
! wet unon her cheek, like tear, rs the