The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-12-17
.nce 70 Which abe had not Oeen aooa.'ou-


weIlneet's estate had been purchased By
stranger named Bigelow. She at oncs
conjectnred, and rightly that this was the
same with her visitor. A tew days elapsed,
and Esther Manson received another visit
form the gentleman.
"I have favor to ask Of you. Miss
Manson, !" he began tit seems that he had
ascersainesi her name). 81 am aware that
our slight acquaintance will hardly justify
it, but trust time will remove this oblec-
ton. You muat know," he added. smil-
ing. ''tllat am y bachelor. dependent in
many resI.ects upon my bou.ekeepey. who.
though good woman In her way. am
afratd is not reliable In matters Of taste.
As my furniture has arrived. bsss has not
yet been arranged. I would esteem It q
great service IL you would give me yos'r
opinion in come little matters respecting
its proper disposition. Ny carriage is at
the door ready to carry yoW over.''
But said Esther, little heaftat'ng-
~. al do not claim to have much taste.
fear shall prove more reliable In that
respect than your huasekeeper."
81 have but to look around ne,'' said
Mr.. Bigelow. politely. Ito be fully satis-
fled upon that point
''Esther's cheeks Ausi,ed with pleasure
at :llis compliment. and she made prepara-
tions to comply with her new visitors re-
quest.
1t was not without = little consciousness
Of the singularity OF her position that
Esther found herself riding by the side of q
gentleman with whom she bad scarcely
exchanged halt a dozen words In the courac
of her life. The distance, howeser. was
but short, and she had little time for re-
fiection. she found the chief part OF the
business accomplished. The furniture.
which, by the way. was new and hand
some. had been arranged la the rooms
after fashion. but Esther was able to
with all of which Mr.. Bigelow proEessed
himself delighted he. moreover. asked
her aJviee in regard to hanging several
fine pictures that he had picked up In the
course of his European travels. This was
accorded with some hesitation.
1
out showing his new found acquaintance
all over the house. from KITCHEN to g.r-..:
! When all was completed he ovcrpaweret.
her with protestations Of gratitude for her
Kind service. and landed her ut Der aei
,ioor just five minutes hefnrs. her bratlisr
came iu. Esther was rather glad oi thi-.
"a ain. was little suspicious that her broth
n
| Q1ixotic one.
To avoid cossment. she did not even In
| form Philip that she had ever met Mr..
Bigel0w. He took frequent opportunities
| to call apon her. on some slight pretext or
| another. but 1t always chanced to be when
her brother was absent.
II wontler.'' said Philip. careleasiy as
h+ sat by the fire one evening whether
Mr. Big-lOw will not be looking out for a
wife before long 80
ST don't know" said Esther. and In her
emba rrs ssneut dropping half a dozen
stitches from the stocking she held in her
| hand.
Not that approve OF lnarriage-al
least In my own case" said Philip. moi
noticing this demonstration. t.but it may
be different with Mr.. Bigelow. He has nc
sister to snperinEeDd his establishment.
don't know, however. whether there Il
anybody likely to suit him In this village
Let me see-there is Miss Preston she
might do.''
mo. don't think she would suit hin
at all.'' said Esther. with \ spirit whIcl
considerably surprised her brother. t'sSlIs
knows very little about housekeeping. ;
''Why. I thought you aud Miss Preston
were friends. - said Philip, a little puzzled
''Well. 90 we arr returned Esther. IL
her usual tone ..but I'll hardly ti,inI
she wonId suit Mr.. BigelOw.''
perhaps not, y he rejoined. and 40 fls.
conversation ended.
From the conversation which we hav.
recorded above. the reader will ohtais
some insight into the character Of Esther
feelings toward Mr.. Bigelow. She wo,lt
hardly confess II TO herself; but as mat
ter OF fact. her ideas OF marriage had suf
tered material change =tthin q brie
period.
Meanwhile the gentleman continued hi
visits. Oftentimes lle would ask TO see th'
bed OF flowers, on which Esther Fathe
prilcd herself. and sometimes he woul'
petition for seeds. being very fond .
flowers, rs he said. and very anxious L
INTRODUCES them in his own garden. o.
one OF these occasions Mr.. Bigelow, after
little visible embarrassment, said. hesi
tatingly
II would like to ask your advice. Mis-
Esther, on rather delicate subject AM
ono OF great Importance to myself. 'riser
Is one thing wish to secure TO mahe m,
. establiehment complete but I haril
| know In what suanner TO ask for it,
|, .'What ia It you refer to ?'' asked Esthe
uhsusptciously.
"a wife.' was the significant reply
instantly deep crimson flushed Esfl,er'
. cheeks She did not trust herself 10 s,.eas
Need / say that you are the one whom
Of ali others. would seek TO place ia tina
position 2s'
I He took her unresistirg hand and klsse
! a. .SAs. a. ~.