The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-05-24
hope that she returned his deep affection she
lnnknd unnn him as her UunrIiAn.

evidently looked upon him rs her guardian
and nothing more Even now hosts OF young
men were pressing forward in the contest io'
that fair hand. Should he give her up Win
out IA single trial? The very thought OF hcl
! leaving him was madness. NO. he would Try
and win her lovc-shc could but refuse hlln
and then he thought he could let her go with
at least not quite so heavy neart. Lost IN
thought. he was startled by knock at MS
door Much to his surprise, his "comc IN was
| followed by the object OF his thoughts.
why Jessie--you not gone with the re~i
Die you not say you wanted so much to hear
.Mignong"
YES, Uncle Phil; but ! can hear 1t some
other time, and tonight | wished so much 70
have talk with you. | feel just in the MOOD
for it, and will stay, if won't disturb you too
much"
mo. no; OF course, child sit down; what
do YOU want to say to me: Has your dress
maker disappointed you, or has one OF your
numerous lovers been referred to me Tor ms
answer"
"Nonsense have dresses enough, shat you
know and AS tor lovers, | care not "A rush for
all of them But | want to talk seriously,
Uncle Phil. 1t is time now for me to begin
to think of taking care of myself. You have
taken care of me quite long enough"
"This begins to look serious, indeed. Ana
how do YOU propose taxing care OF yourself, as
you call it, little one|
: "Why, YOU know, uncle, | have always
thought would teach. You don. want me
to sing at concerts-I don't dare to sing opera
so there is nothing else left for me to do.
heard to day that Madame Alberdo wants a
teacher of vocal music for her young ladies'
1t Is a good situation, and would be u soou
opening, so | thought | would speak to you
about It,"
80 you are really anxious to leave me, are
you?" 90,
: "Why. Uncle" and here the dark eyes filled
with tears and the sweet voice shook llttle;
"you know am not ANXIOUS to leave this dear,
pleasant home, but thought this too good an
opportunity to lose"
For some moments Philip Raymond leaned
his head on his hand, lost in thought. When
he raised it, there was the light OF firm re-
solve in his eyes.
Jessie" said he, bring that stool and come
and sit here at my feet, where can see you as
talk to you"
She obcyed HIM wondernsly, and looking
up to hun, said: .
well, Uncle, what is it?
"Wil it make you unhappy II refuse my
consent to this plan of yours
mo, not If you tell me something better TO
do. Are you really going to let me sing III
operag Oh, Uncle Phil"
No, Jessie. have another plan; but that
is not It, Listen dear. Could you be happy
to stay here and teach private pupil
"A private pupil? How funny! Only one:
T don't understand it; whose child is it,"
Not anybody's child, only so far as men
are but children OF larger growth "
Men? Is it Il man? What in the world
does man want to learn singing for: What
do you mean, Uncle Phil?'
1T is |, Jessie
you? Ha, ha, ha! knew you were jok-
ing, Why, Uncle, you never could tell one
tune from another"
II could try, dear"
Not the slightest use. should want a.
more promising pupil than you, Uncle"
but think | could learn anything with
you to teach me, Jessie
Something in the tone of his voice made her
look up He was gazing down upon her, his
face glowing with the mighty love that filled
his heart She understood him now, and COW
cred her burning face with her hands.
as 1t too much to ask, Jessie? Can you
love an old fellow like nae? See! there Isl
many thread of silver in nay hair, but my
heart is young, and 1t has never loved before
all these years and oh, do love you so! my
darling
She lifted those grand eyes to his, and for
answer left trembling kiss on his brow, as
she said;
II will try and be a patient teacher Uncle
Phil
Just as the carriage drove up, bringing
Maud and Phil from the opera, he was say
ing to jessie:
And should never have known you, dar
ling had it not been for those lilies"
And that is why she wore water,ilies upon
her wedding day.