The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-11-12


an inouiring eye on his nephew.
Uncle" cried the young man, en-
Enthusiastically, "she is an angell"
I'm have look at her before max
up my mind on the subject" said Uncl,
Barnaoasl
He was taken to call on Miss Vail
and like most other gentlemen he "wen'
down" at the first sparkle of her liquid
dark eyes.
by Jupiter, Allan, you're rightl'
said Uncle Barnabas. "She's the pret
tiest girl l ever saw in my life."
So the gay season went on. The
clash of the viols, cornets and trombones
made musical answer to the diapsson ol
the waves; grim old dowagers played
cards; battered beaux smoked their
cigars and strove to rejuvenate them.
selves once more in the fragrance of the
sea-air; pretty girls firted; handsome
cavaliers held fans and bouquets, and
newspaper correspondents invented all
sorts of fact for the New York and
Philadelphia daily press. And as time
went by, rumor gained credence, to
the effect that Uncle Barnabas Brabazon
was ousting his nephew from the atfec-
tions of the beautiful Miss Vail.
"There!" said Mrs. Vail, her witch.
like countenance assuming a radiant ex-
preston. "Here it is in black and
white. An offer OF marriagel My dear,
you'll be the richest woman south OF
Mason and Dixon's line"
Adrienne, in a lovely dishabille OF
white cashmere and rose-pink ribbons,
sat looking at the letter, with some
thing OF dismay upon her countenance.
" Write and accept him at once,n
urged Mrs. Vail.
what! that old manP
cod manw screamed Mrs. Vail.
"The richest planter in Louisiana!
Why, child, every diamond that he
wears is Il fortune in itself"
But ! don't love him." pleaded Ad-
rienne, in low voice.
"Love-bah!" screeched the old lady,
"what does love amount TOP A little
sugar and honey. few sweetmeats, and
starvation for the rest of your life. /
made a love-match-and sees what a
drudging career mine has been. Adri-
enne, don't be fool! You will never
have such another chance as this"
Still Adrienne hesitated.
Mamma" she said, 81 am engaged
to Allan, and-I love him. And will
be his wifew
"But, child, don't you see what ruin
that will bring upon usP" breathlessly
cried Mrs. Vail. "Allan hasn't penny
of his own, and if he offends his
uncle"
"He can work for living, mamma,
ike other men,"
Work-work for a livingr" snarled
the old lady, displaying set of yellow
teeth that would have done credit to a
hyena "And you live in a fat, and do
up your own laces in the wash-bowl to
save the laundress' bill. and turn your
own silk dresses, and darn your hus-
bands stockings, to tighten the expenses
you, that have the chance to button
your gown with diamonds, and live in a
paiacew
Mamma" cried A6rienne, "what
would life in a palace be worth without
the man you loveP Iwon't / marry old
Mr.. Drabazon, and / will marry Allan,
if have TO live in barracks with him,
or ride around the world in baggage
wagonw
And this was the end of Miss Wallis
"mercenary" career. Sic wrote reso-
lutte little note to Mr.. Brabazon, while
her mother INDUCED in a good, old
fashioned fit of Mysteries. The note was
worded as Iollows:
81 like you very much, but l loved
Allan long before ever saw you, and |
don't think can be happy with any one
but Allan; SO, if you please, Mr.. Braba-
zon, must decline your kind offer. And
don't be any more angry
with me than you can help"
Mr.. Brabazon read the little, teaO
stained note, and folding it grimly up
went across to the hotel where his
nephew was staying.
"Well, lad" said he, II have offered
myself-myself, mind, the richest man
in Louisiana--to Adrienne Vail"
"Unclew
Allan started to his feet, turning alter
nately red and pale.
"And she has refused mel"
The young man was deadly white
now. He scarcely knew what he had
feared or hoped-he only felt the intense
reliefof knowing that Adrienne was still
true TO him
"My own true love-" he muttered, be-
tween his teeth; "my little dark-eyed
Jewel! If she had played me false, uncle,
believe should have been tempted TO
commit suicidew
"Umph-umphl" grunted Uncle Bar
ney. Love-love" How these young
people talkl And what, may venture
to ask, do you expect to live on"
81 can work. Uncle Barney, for her
sake" said Allan, bravely.
"Very well" said Uncle Barney.
"Let's go and tell herso."
Adrienne was looking lovelier than
ever, with flushed cheeks, eyes glitter
ing with excitaAept and ,r9sesred lips.
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