The Newtown bee., 1879-07-02
A PRELUDE IN BRUWN N.

"But, my dear boy, who is going to say anything of the sortp What mis- construction can be put on your going to the seaside for a month, meeting a young lady there, and in natural way making her acquaintanceP Nothing may result from it beyond acquaintance, and no one is called upon to remark what, after all, is mere coincidence"
 "Uncle Joshua, I wonder you can ook me in the face! Mere coinci- encer when you know perfectly well hat this is a cut-and-dried arrangement, rifced on the shrine of your heiress. Coincidence, forsooth! I am aston ished at your cheek, sir, if you will par don the expression"
 Upon my soul, you young fellows take pretty airs on yourselves nOwa- days" retorted Uncle Joshua, angrily. "Maud Lowell iS an heiress-and don't deny-a very considerable heiress; but none the less is she remarkably pretty girl, accomplished too, and amiable, and all that; just the girl whom you would be sure to fall in love with if it wasn't worth your while to do so. You are fool, Ned, let me tell you, very pro- nounced fool, if you let such chance as this slip on account of a farrago of non sensical notions about love and disinter- estedness all twaddle. Such ideas don't wash, sir, let me tell you. I've tested lem; they don't wash," bringing his hand down with a bang on the table by way of period.
 Uncle Joshua was a natty, debonair old gentleman of suave and circumspect manners, and habit oftiptoeing ginger ly over the surfaces of ideas and things with due avoidance of all dangerous or debatable spots. This ebullition there fore took his nephew quite by surprise. Never had he seen his relative so ex- cited about anything before. His care fully preserved old face was red and hot; he jumped about in his tight boots; his voice and manner were fully of unwont ed yigor. Ned Banks had been used to think of his uncle as kindly, formal flop, to be gently chaffed and practically ignored when convenient. He hardly knew what to make of him under this new aspect. -
 Uncle Joshua, for all his little absurd ities, had been a good friend and help ful one to his nephew. To him Ned owed his college education and his start in lfe-obligations which he had ac- cepted easily at the time, as the young are wont to accept all favors done them, but of which he felt the weight when thus reminded. His opposition to his uncle's scheme had not sprung from any deep-lying principle. The idea of mar. rying an heiress was no more distasteful to him than to any other man of his age; but he had experienced an instinctive repugnance to entering into a precon- certed, cold-blooded arrangement for the purpose. Now, however, seeing his unele's real annoyance and displeasure, he said to himself, After all, why not? don't commit myself by simply going to the place." And after a short silence he added All right, sir; it's settled, then. I'll be at the Cove at the time you name, and do my best to be civil to the young lady. First of July, is itp" and he took out notebook and made an entry of the date.
 a.'My dear Ned," cried the older MT. Banks, deeply gratified, now you are behaving just as I should wish I hope very confidently hope-that this trip of yours may eventuate for your welfare ip'many ways. Nothing could be farther from my wish than to force your inclina- tions but there is no harm in forming pleasant acquaintance, Ned; there can be no harm-no possible harm"
 The South Cove was looking its pret- tiest when Ned Banks, true to his word alighted on the lst of July at the door ot its hotel. All the little cottages and de- pendencies of the large establishment shone in the brilliance of fresh paint The grass was newly cut; the plaster vases and red-tinted firkins were filled with gay geraniums and bright-leaved plants. Beyond lay the sea, vast and blue, no whit less solemn or less inscru- table for this little fringe of ornament on it's borders hem. A boat. with a scarlet-shawled lady sitting in the stern, was rowing across from the green island epposite. People thronged the plazza. From a distance came the intermittent thunder of the bowling alley The sea- son was fairly under way that was evi- dent. Ned scanned the groups on the veranda with the natural hope of seeing some acquaintance. He discovered none: but presently, from the lips of lady near him, he heard familiar name
 Mir. Allibone Crosby told me so"
 Where is MT. Crosby this after noonp"
 q Driving with those Baltimore peo pie, believe.'
 Hullo! what brings bina herep'' solil oquized Ned, as he slowly strolled to ward the office.
 For Allibone Crosby was repute, suitor of Miss Lovell's-Uncle Joshua ward. It was a singular coinci deuce, certainly, if nothing more, tha he should turn up at the South Cove jus then; and so Ned reflected as he went t bed, with the moon for candle, and tn boom and surge of the waves coming i through the open window The idea ( apossible rival stimulated his interest i