Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-09-18

cooed, sweetly. "But Madam Grundy
would be sure to be disagreeable. If
only you were married now, Just imag-
inc how devoted dear Fife and would
bel As it is, l do really think the best
thing you can do is to send for Mrs.
Grey"
And Mrs. Grey came-s plump, CHEEKY,
comedy little lady, with soft, shining
brown hair, all in waves and nipples, and
merry, intelligent eyes, brown and big,
and a sweet, vibrant voice, the very
sound of which held q comfort and
strengthfulness in it, soothing tones.
She was q born nurse, and q born
housekeeper, and even in his sick room
Mr.. Valentine was conscious of the
noiseless running of the domestic ma.
chinery, while, in the many pleasant,
confidential talks they had, her good
common sense was always apparent.
cts no wonder Jack worshiped her
poor fellow" he thought.
And you are actually going to be
married, Slingerland3 l was quite sur
prised when heard of it; and charm
ing young girl l heard she isl"
"Well, yes, believe l am thinking
about it, Amy. Yes, Miss Herman is
very sweet, pretty little grill"
"Pm sure you thought seriously over
it before you decided; it's an important
thing to do, Slingerland, and specially
important when q man comes to your
age, and wants young wife. l do hope
you'll De satisfied"
Mr.. Valentine puckered up his fore
head, doubtfully.
ooh, dear me! yes, hope so. A
mans bound to make fool of himself
once in his life, and it's happened to me
later than to most. On, yes, dare say
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 enthusiastic
lover l expected to fnd," she said,
brightly, biting the 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, either"
he blurted out, his face reddening under
her surprised, innocent blue eyes.
"The fact is, I went bewitched over a
pretty face, and somebody ought to have
kicked me from here to Jericho before l
made such deuced-ass-yes-of my.
self"
Jacks widow drew down the white
shade, SO that the invalid bear would
not have the western sunlight too direct
in hi, eyes.
cit isn't 80 bad as that, hope,
Slingrland, is it? Well, don't let's
bother about it any more just now. Be
quieta little while, while l run down
and see what can find for your supper"
She went away, leaving Mr.. Valentine
thinking all sorts of curious thoughts,
very prominent among which was what
a good wife poor Jack had, and what a
deuced fine-looking woman she was yet,
and how amazingly he liked to have her
around, and what the dickens he would
do when she went away.
Up in the Shawangums the August
days were royal in their pulsing ardor,
and Effie and Cousin Harry had, quite
some time before, decided that it was
the most delightful summer in their
lives, when, into all the sweetness and
beauty and content, one day there came
letter to Aunt Hepsy from Mrs. Her
man, saying that Mr.. Slingerland Val
entine was coming to see his betrothed,
and that Ettie was to treat him accord
ingly
And, three hours later, the gentleman
himself appeared, to the awe of Jessie
and Gwen, and the admiration of simple.
minded auntie, who ushered him, and
all his glory of massive gold watch-chain,
and sparkle of diamond studs, into the
prim, cool, dark "parlor;" where the
chairs-six of them-sat in straight
rows, and the carpet was the identical
striped one that had been a bridal
present--and rarely costly one in those
days--to Aunt Hepsy and Uncle Zeb.
Etfe was all afush as she went in to
greet him, and her eyes were shining
resolutely as she crossed the floor to
shake hands with him.
And Mr.. Valentine also had an
unusual look in his ford face, and not
little resoluteness in his eyes as he rose
to meet her.
81 hope you are we'll, Miss Effie; you
are looking, as usual, most charmingly. |
Sorry have such short time to stay,
but-but the fact is, just ran up on
little matter of business, you see, and
won't detain you longer than is necessa-
ry."
His heart was humping very undis-
ciplinedly, but when one takes into con-
siderstion the Cuisines" that had
brought him, it was scarcely to be Won
dered at-business which only the memo