Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-10-01
at cakes and sweets, taking a world OF

Ard 80 thoughtful she is, and gay,
bless her." his wife would tell old John.
"She'll come tripping up to me;
and Now, do as you're bid, she ii say
playfully, forcing me down into my
big chair. Sit down and rest, there =
an old dear, and take your tea. I'm
not going to let you do turn more.
And then she'll work away, her tongue
Going all the time as fast as her fingers;
running on about her mother and her
home, her flowers and pets, dogs and
birds, and what not, but never word
about husband or married days. And
if l touch upon them or ask question,
she'll get quite silent and strange-iike
in minute, and turn Off the subject rs
IL il burned her. Perhaps for all she 5
so merry on the outside she's frettiDg
in her heart for him that's gone, and
can't bear to talk Of him.
"Nothipg of the sori' cried old
John. Don't you go to think such
stuff. She'd take ahusband tomorrow;
mark my words. And its my opinion
there's q youDg gentleman comes to
this house that has a fairish chance.
He's desperate sweet upon her. l
haven't eyes 10 my head for nothing
and see plain she doesn't mislike him,
or hold herself up distant from him, as
she does from others"
Old John was right. Matters were
in due time SO far satisfactorily settled
between the young couple that an APP
peal to the uncle was deemed expedient.
The old gentleman received the an.
nouncement with q half.pleased, half.
satirical grimace.
"Ha, thought SOL" he muttered.
" But are you aware. my friend, that
there is no money in the case? The
lady hasn't sixpence, and"
II know it," Indignantly interrupted
the sutton. You have made that re-
mark before. l want no fortune with
my wife, my own being ample; and my
love-
ooh, spare your raptures. young
sir. Not SO fast. Don't be too sure OF
the prize; for when you hear what
have to tell you there may be perhaps
a change in your views. have no time
to 60 into the matter now; but come to-
morrow and be prepared to hear what
will surprise you;" and the gentleman
went of, nodding Internationally,
the lover fancied over his shoulder,
and leaving the poor fellow in a state
of most uncomfortable suspense and
uncertainty.
What could this dark hint mean and
why was he not to make sure? Could
it be possible there was any doubt, any
mystery as to the demise of the be-
loved ones husband? He could not
help calling to mind her confused and
singular manner at times; a certain
want of frankness; an evident embar-
rassment at any allusion to the past.
The possibility of an obstacle made the
young man realize, as he had not before
done, how deeply his affections we're
engaged. He spent miserable night,
awaiting in vain Conjecture and sleep
less anxiety the tidings which the NOR
row might bring forth.
In order to explain matters it will be
necessary to 60 back for some months
previous to the arrival of the young
lady at her uncle's house; as we'll as
to change the scene from it to a country
cottage in q remote part Of England
the home of the widowed sister of the
eccentric bachelor. In it we find him
pacing up and down the small drawing
room and listening to the querulous
complaints that its occupant, con.
tirmed invalid, is uttering from the
sofa on which she lies. ~ think but
little of my bodily sufferings," she is
saying; they cannot now last long.
Every day I feel more plainly that the
end is not far off, and my doctor tells
me the same. The distress of mind
that torments me is what is so hard 10
bear"
"And what may this be about. if l
might ask?"
1.-The future of my child when am
gone. All I have, as you know, dies
with me. She will be penniless, and
the thought of what is to become of
her, cast on the world without home,
haunts me night and day. 1t is too
" A girl-and young-and not bad.
looking. Where's the fear +? Some.
body III marry her. Men are such
fools!"
The sick woman could not forbear q
smile. "Ah, but there are no men, no
fools here! In this remote corner we
see no one, and the poor child, taken
up with nursing me and tied to sick.
room, has made no acquaintances. It
is killing me to see her young life sac
rificed and to think of the future"
The mothers tears began to flow.
Her nearer, never very amiably in
clined toward the weaker sex, or at ease
in its company, increased his quarter
deck pacings in much discontinue as
these symptoms of water-works
turned on" became apparent. His
hurried steps soon subsided, however.
to steady march up and down the lit
tie drawing-ro while with frowning
brow and occasional chuckles, he seemed
to be concocting some scheme. After a
few minutes he came to sudden halt
before the invalid's sofa. "Can the
girl act?" he asked abruptly.
"Act? How do You mean? IT,
"Oh, you needn't look frightened;
I'm not going to propose sending her
to the Gaiety or the Criterion"
+" Well. except III the little make
believe plays and dressinQs-up that