The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-04-17

surrounded by verandas and flowers par
terres. A tumble down, Imprinted farm
house stood back a little from the road,
with its shutters hanging loosely by one
hinge, and one or two scrubby lilac bushes
forlorniy tossing their foliage to the wind.
How dreary it looks" thought Rachel,
with a little shudder, as she wondered
whether the cOachman had really meant to
stop there. But Uncle Ben at once seized
his carpet bag and umbrella.
Come, my dear" he said to Rachel.
as this the placer" she asked.
"This is the place." Uncle Ben answered,
with a sudden parOxysm OF coughing.
Gates little out of order" as that useful
mode of lngress became suddenly detached
from its sole remaining hinge and fell with
a crash to the ground, but that's soon set
right with screw driver and half dozen
screws
Alas, poor RACHEL What were her sensa-
tons as she looked blankly around the neg
lected. dismal spot which was the sole reali-
zatiOn of her fairy dreamsl This the home
Uncle Benedict had given them. And for
an instant our poor little heroine felt as il
she could repel the unwelcome gift and tell
Uncle Bejamin plainly that she could not
spend her days in hOvel like this.
But then came sober second thoughts
Uncle Benedict had meant kindly; they
were Door, and could not afford to dispense
with the meanest of roofs over their heads.
No, she must gratefully accept the present in
the spirit in which it was given, and check
in the bud all her rebellious and unamiable
repinlngs.
III told you it was a cottage you know"
said Uncle Ben, keenly scrutinizing her face,
as they stood on the doorstep waiting for
the door TO be opened.
"Yes, l know" said Rachel, glancing
round with Frightening eyes, THAT is a
very choice climbing rose over the window
if it was only properly trained"
'It's rather lonesome" said Uncle Ben.
81 like the country" Rachel answered,
hopefully.
As she spoke a slipshod old woman APP.
peared to let them in, and led the way to the
best room, a green curtained apartment
with shabby carpet on the floor, and fire
in the CRATE that emitted far more smoke
than calOric.
Smoky chimneys, eh?'' said Uncle Ben.
"The draught seems to be poor, said
Rachel, ''but dare say it can be altered"
81 hadn't any idea the ceilings were so
low" grumbled the old gentleman.
"It's partly the effect of the large pattern
of the wall paper" said Rachel with a
glance at the red and green monstrosities
"a narrow striped pattern will improve 1t. !"
What queer little cupbosrds by the sides
of the mantell' said Uncle Ben.
'Oh, they will be nice for our best china, ="
said Rachel.
MY DEAR" said the old gentleman, 81 be-
lieve you are determined to be pleased. Do
you really think you shall like this placer"
Il 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 Arcardia
out OF the tumble down old farm. And if
she shed few tears on her pillow when she
want to rest under the caves of the roof. in
an apartment which must have been built
for Tom Thumb, Uncle Ben Benedict never
suspected it.
There was the chariot at the door when
Rachel rose from her breakfast of bread and
butter and coffee next morning
Come, my lass" said the old gentleman,
Il want to show you place further up the
road, which has been taken by friend of
mine"
The drive and the delicious September air
we're like an invigorating tonic TO our wearied
little bride; and a picture after the style of
Wetteau awaited them in the exquisite villa,
with its rose clad bay windows and pictur-
esquely sloping roof. Rustic iron chairs
stood under the bowling branches of the elms
on the lawn and marble CUPID, holding
up carved conchshell, scattered bright rain
into flower bordered basin directly in front
of the gates.
L
never saw such superb scarlet geraniums in
hallr'
you like the appearance"
. On, yes; tis beautiful"
Come IN, my dear and see how you like
the interior" said the old gentleman, Sc
renely.
1t was perfect, from the drawing rooms,
with their superb Brussels carpet and ex-
al N no N
white and pink, like the inside of a roses
heart, and the fairy conservatory, it stocked
with camelias, heliOtrOpe and rare fuschias
at the south end of the house.
1t is like fairylaudr cried Rachel, en-
Enthusiastically. "Do tell me, Uncle Ben, who
is 10 live herer'
Uncle Ben turned round and faced her.
You, my dear"
And Hugh, of course%'
ITO De sure!n
'But, uncle" gasped little Rachel, quite
overwhelmed by this unexpected good luck
"the other house"
That's only little joke of minei This
is the real home, and L give it TO you with
all the pleasure that you were disposed to
make the best of the bad bargain that you
thought you were in for. My dear, the con-
tented mind you possess is worth a thousand
hOusesw
And Rachel felt something warm and wet
upon her cheek, like a tear, as the old gen.
teman stopped to kiss her.
When Hugh came home, to find his little
wife on the veranda, all welcoming smiles
to greet him. he exclaimed:
why, Uncle Ben, this is perfect cas-
ket."
But none too good for the little jewel
that inhabits it," Uncle Ben answered.
And Hugh read in the tone that his young
wife had won the capricious old gentleman's
heart.