Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-03-04


cousin Walter and myself are excellent
good friends and as he happens to have an
attachment of his own, he is just as adverse
10 being forced into n marriage with a
stranger rs yourself. | discovered all this
in the course of n conversation with him,
and then told him the story of our meet
ing, and our present relations. The revela-
tions came just in time. His father was
even then urging n visit here upon him.
Nothing was easier than for me to take his
place, and let Walter undertake more
welcome iaunt.'
And now that you are here, sir, what
can you do ?"
Upon my SOUL" cried the young man,
somewhat ruefully, IL hardly know
must try and ingratiate myself with your
aunt and leave the rest to luck"
A long talk was followed by long stroll,
and thus nearly two hours elapsed before
they returned TO the house. Aunt Minerva
beamed Il most approving glance upon
what she deemed the success of her plans,
but she startled them the next moment by
saying:
Il have just had a note from your father,
MIR. Harvey. Hc,will be with us himself
tomorrow morning"
Poor Arthur tried hard to conceal the
CONSERVATION which this intelligence threw
him into. Fortunately Miss Minerva was
in too Complacent humor to be very OBJ
servant.
Come, Hope, you shall read the note
II Y,,i,rbt ,,,oLa Mr. Ho,,-nvr foo yro;n nr
would give him peep also. y
Miss Hope, in another room, read John
Harvcy's billet, which ran as follows:
''lf my son Walter, usually so dutiful,
should disappoint me in our plan, | shall
feel like adopting my nephew, Arthur
Harvey, who is IA splendid young fellow,
and would probably do more To oblige me,
as he has not been spoiled by indulgence.
| suppose my gentleman will have arrived
before YOU get this. have taken "a sudden
notion that he may require overseeing, and
as have long owed you visit, | will pay
my debt by following this note tomorrow
Sincerely your friend,
JoHN HARVEY
81 suppose" said Hope, slyly, though
she felt in no humorous mood, ''if YOU
couldn't get the son, auntie, you would not
object to the nephew, as it would all be in
the family?'
"Well, " replied her aunt, after a mo-
ment's thought, 81 don't know how that
might have been if hadn't met Walter
Harvey. But l feel now that no other
young man could replace him. Besides
Hope, and here she gave her niece a mis-
chievous pinch, 81 guess he won't be so
Poor Hope could only hang her head and
blush like guilty thing.
"What shall do, Hopes" cried Arthur,
when she tripped back into the parlor. Il
feel like running away inStanter."
THAT would be so brave!" was the
rather sarcastic rejoinder.
please, then advisor rather, COM
mand me-"
"Well, then, sir, hear your orders.
This deceit makes me feel mean and guilty,
in spite of myself, and we must have an
explanation at all hazards.
"Now?"
Hope reflected moment.
''No, not now-to-mOrTow. You must
face your uncle, and then let the truth
come out.
''And then won't there be a Storm the
young man said, Struggling his shoulders.
"Well, we have raised 1t, and must meet
it," Miss Hope replied, bravely, And
now let us dismiss the subject for to-day.
But although they did their best to be
happy, nervousness about the coming eX
posure overhung them, and they were much
too restless for comfort that evening and
the next morning.
1t was ten o'clock before the train from
the city arrived, and two weary hours
passed after breakfast before the expected
visitor reached the house.
He was received at the door by Miss
Minerva, while Hope and her lover re-
mained in the sitting room. Arthur made
a virtue of necessity, and advanced to greet
his uncle with as much heartiness and in
nocence as he could possibly throw into his
manner
"Why, Arthur" cried the old gentle
man, this is rather surprise. What
could have brought you here?"
But he gave his nephew warm shake
of the hand.
'Arthur - cried the aunt. "Arthur,
thought your sons name was Walter John
Harvey?"
so it is, Miss Minerva-so it is; but
this young man happens to benny nephew. "
"Good gracious!" gasped Miss Blair,
sinking back into a chair.
John Harvey began to comprehend that
was wrong.
''See here, Arthur" he cried sternly
Have you been playing trick? Why
are you here, instead of my son, whom
sent2"
'Dear uncle, Walter would not come,
for he is not heart-free and he and | both
knew that you wanted Miss Hope in the
family, we thought-that is, I-he-"
There was blank, ominous silence.
Hope stole to Miss Minerals side
"Dear auntie," she said, ''yoH must for
give Arthur and me. We are such old
friends. Besides" she added demurely,
you said if you couldn't get John Harvey's s
son, you would prefer his nephew"
Mr. Harvey and Miss Blair's glances met,
and something like a smile passed over
their faces
81 see how 1t is" said he, 1--WE have
been fighting nature, which is a bit of a
mistake. l guess we had better rectify it. y
And they did SO.
Everybody knows how; if not, learn OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Harvey.
fO ho