The Newtown bee., 1879-09-10

Nelson, and he hives in ONO"
"All right. know his brother very
well; he is a practicing lawyer here.
I'll write to the judge and speak to the
advocate, and between them both we
shall probably get % satisfactory certiti
cate"
The funniest part of this veracious
narrative is that l did neither, but al
lowed the matter to drift away from my
memory altogether.
"Well, did you engage her?" [ asked.
"On the whole, thought had bet
ter. She can come here and stay awhile,
and if we suit each other, of course she
will remain. In fact, we must have
somebody; your comfort must be looked
after. AS it is, she is at some expense,
as boarding, of course, uses up what lit
tie money she may chance to have. |
told her to come tomorrow and get a
little used to the house. Did | do
right P"
II am inclined to think you did" was
my reply, BEST to have the strange
ness over as soon as possible"
But there's one thing | am sure you
won't like" said Mary, after brief
silence.
"Wel, what's that P" I asked.
"She wears spectacles."
"Horror!" was my rejoinder.
blue onesn
Worse and worse'
Il knew just how you would feel ;
but she has very pleasant eyes under
them, and she thinks she may soon be
able to dispense with them altogether"
Then | will endeavor to endure the
infiction with the best grace l can.
How does she look ?"
"That's woman's question, and I
4 20
"How ever, | will say that she is tall
and fair, with blue eyes, blue dress and
blue veil"
Blue seems to be the prevailing
color" l said; and there the conversa-
ton stopped, tea being brought in.
On the following day came home to
company. In other words, [ was intro
duced to Miss Campsted, and by stealth
took an Inventory Of her charms, for the
lady was rather good-looking. She
wore IL small, plain cap and the blue
spectacles aforesaid The hair, put
smoothly back, showed ripples on the
surface; the features were small and
regular, but at first l was not pleased
with their expression, though | could
not have told why.
The dominant thought with me was
that Mary could rest, and, with a mind
whollyat ease, give herself up to the care
of her little ones for season.
For n few weeks things went on as
smoothly as could desire. The coffee
speedily improved in color and flavor,
the tea was delicious. Little entrees
made their appearance which before our
circumstances had not seemed to war
rant. The table was always in order.
even at times decorated with flowers,
and the work was well done, and as if
performed by some invisible agency.
g Harry, she is positively a treasure, u
said my wife to me, one evening, after
we had retired to our room. have so
much more time, now, to attend to baby
and the children. Miss Campsted is an
very nice-looking people to visit her."
HAS she many visitorsPr I asked.
I" / thought she talked as if she were a
stranger here"
"Now and then one richly dressed,
almost too richly" my wife added, in a
hesitating voice, but then we don't
visit, and really know nobody. She has
a brother, too"
"a brotherr' l cried, more and more
surprised. "She told me she had no re-
lations here"
"WelI, he wasn't here till yesterday,
when he returned from California.
caught a glimpse of him as he went
down strickland he is really majestic
looking man"
ooh, this will never do" I said, i'm
patiently. I'VE are not rich, but there
is considerable silver in the house, and
some little gold in the way of watches
and chains, which are, besides, valuable
as heir-looms. | don't like the visitors
I don't like the brother"
Now you are suspicious and I'M
kind" said Mary. 81 would trust her
with everything in tie house, even my
husband" she added, laughing. "And
though she calls herself middle-aged and
perhaps she is--some women wear sc
well-she looks almost like a young Cir
with her cap and spectacles off, and her
hair dressed differently. You will see
for 1 have persuaded her to dispense
with both tomorrow" ..... ..
Tomorrow presented Miss Campsted
as young lady of perhaps twenty two
appearance-and yet yesterday she looked
forty.
The ripple in her hair ran TO cur
now. The spectacles gone, disclosed
beautiful eyes fringed with long. soft
lashes. She noticed my look of sur,
prise, and smiled as She said:
g have worn caps since | was thirty,
but your wife has persuaded me to leave
them off for while. Do you, too, think
it an Improvement"
Il certainly do" was my reply, " fol-
hate caps and abominate spectacles.
what fright must have appeared
in your eyes, them" she said, sweetly
which speech necessitated a compli-
mentary answer, and made me feel ex-
cessively silly.
Her brother dined there one day He
was heavy, handsome, well-read fel-
low, apparently young and very clever,
would you object to my brothers
presenceat dinner to-day?" soon became
a regular form ofrequest.
What could l dop Her brother was
good company, played the piano, violin
and flute with skill, talked well, and al
him as well as his sister.
though my better judgment protested
against the encroachment, still allowed
it until it was impossible to say no.
Mary occupied herself more and more
with the children, who continued ailing
and nervous. Gradually she withdrew
herself from our circle on the plea OF
work for the little ones, and one thing
and another, all of which excuses / al.
lowed to convince me. Unconsciously
began to look forward to the pleasant
after work hours.
Miss Campsted read, sang and played
equally we'll Always she deferred te
my Judgment. sang my songs, read from
my favorite authors. Her brother was
equally ready to talk, or to add to the