The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1879-10-08

Grundy would be sure to be disagreea-
BILE If only you were married now,
Just imagine how devoted dear Etfie ?
and | would bel As it is, do really
think the best thing you can do is to
send for Mrs. Grey"
And Mrs Grey came-a plump, .
CHEEKY, comedy little lady, with soft,
shining brown hair, all in waves and
ripples, and merry, intelligent eyes,
brown and big, and sweet, vibrant
voice, the very sound of which held a
comfort and strengthtulness in its
soothing tones.
She was born nurse, and born
housekeeper, and even in his sick
room Mr. Valentine was conscious of
the noiseless running of the domestic
machinery, while, in the many pleas
ant, confidential talks they had, her
good common sense was always appa-
rent.
Its no wonder Jack worshipped
her-poor fellow" he thought.
"And you are actually going to be
married, Slingerland? 1 was. quite
surprised when | heard of it; and
charming young girl hear she is |"
"Well, yes, believe | am thinking
about it, Amy. Yes, Miss Herman is
a very sweet, pretty little girl y
"Tm sure you thought seriously
over it before you decided; it's an
important thing to do, Slingerland,
and specially important when man
comes to your age and wants young
wife. | do hope you'll be satisfied"
Mr.. Valentine puckered up his fore
head doubtfully.
ooh, dear mel yes, l hope so. A
mans bound to make a fool of himself
once in his life, and it's happened to
me later than to most. Oh, yes, L dare
say little Effie and I'll get on very
we'll"
A curious little smile crept to Mrs.
Grey's red lips-such ripe-red lips,
like luscious damask roses.
You don't talk like the enthusi-
astic lover | expected to find, )" she said,
brightly, biting her pretty lip to keep
from laughing, for shrewd Mrs. Grey
was quite well convinced that her
brother in law was repenting his
word.
"And / don't feel enthusiastic, eth
err" he blurted out, his face reddening
under her surprised, innocent blue
eyes. "The fact is, | went bewitched
over pretty face, and somebody ought
/ to have kicked me from here to Jer-
icho before made such deuced-ass
e -yes-of myself"
0 Jacks widow drew down the white
S shade, SO that the invalid bear would
l. not have the western sunlight too di
t rect in his eyes.
l. at isn't so bad as that, ] hope
d Slingerland, is it? Well, don't lett
Y bother any more about it just now
S Be quiet little while, while | rur
= down and see what can find for you
5, supper"
d She went away, leaving Mr. Val
V entine thinking all sorts of curious
d thoughts, prominent among which wa
,f what good wife poor Jack had, ant
II what deuced fine-looking woman sh
was yet, and how amazingly he like
Is to have her around, and what tn
r. dickens he would do when she wen
D. away.
le Up in the Shawangums the Angus
" days were royal in their pulsing ardol
S, and Effie and Cousin Harry had, quit
a some time before, decided that it wa
n, the most delightful summer of thei
lives, when, into all the sweetness an
lie beauty and content, one day ther
n, came letter to Aunt Hepsy fror
ID Mrs. Herman, saying that Mr.. Sling
m. erland Valentine was coming to sc
his betrothed, and Effie was to trea
Iy him accordingly.
e, And three hours later the gentle
lie man himself appeared, to the awe {
er Jessie and Gwen, and the admiratio
10 of simple minded auntie, who ushere
as him, and all his glory of massive gol
e. watch chain, and sparkle of damon
It, studs, into the prim, cool, dark "pal
ne lor," where the chairs-siX of them
tx sat in straight rows, and the carpt
er was the identical striped one that ha
er been bridal present-and rar
costly one in those days-to Aur
IN Hepsy and Uncle Zeb.
gu Effie was all af1ush as she went in
re greet him, and her eyes were shinin
!, resolutely as she crossed the floor
X shake hands with him.
Ss az hope you are well, Miss Effit
nt you are looking, as usual, most charm
- ingly. Sorry have such short tin
60 to stay, but-but the fact is | just ru
d up on little matter of business, yo
" see. and | won't detain YOU long,