The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-07-09

changes. i soon. found comfort in my
engagement to Mr.. Ellis, and Reby went
back 20 Europe She wants to 20 agAin,
but We are trying to keep her here
"Is her husband there ?" asked Henry
Maclane.
"Husbapd O. Rsby ys Anshand p echoed
MIRA Ellis "She has never married.
Did yen notice your namssske, my little
boy 20
Henry Maclane made q movement TO
descend the stairs.
Hadn't you better see the rear room'f''
aslked Mira. Ellis.
"No matter. Twill send Mrs. Maclane,' p
he replied, carelesely.
Truth to tell, he was inclined to 60
down the stairs with bound. His sis-
ter-in-law's conclusions had not been wide
of the marx. No woman had ever been
to him what this woman with the sunny
hair and fair face had been, but he was .
ehy man, and had simply lost his chance
He went to battle with only request for
one golden lock from the fair head, and
she was too proud woman to give more
than was asked. Then they drifted far
spart, as lives often do that have touched
each other with strong points OF contact.
He was soon in the parlor, and by
Reby's side.
"Tell Mrs. Maclane we would like her
decision a. soon as possible" said Mrs
Ellis, somewhat sharply. To herself she
was saying, "The man might have mar
ried Reby once, but he shall not tlirt with
her now"
/. 81 am glad to find Reby unchanged" !"
said Henry Maclane in response.
"Mrs. Ellis replied, brusquely: She is
wonderfully changed to me. The years
have brought great strength and good
ness to Reby. She is not woman to toll
crate nonsense of any kind"
She justified her brusque speech with
the mental comment: "A man with q
wife and FIVE children has no business to
stand there with undisguised admiration
on his face, and congratulate himself on
finding Reby unchanged. It's trying
ordeal to her, and would shorten it if !
could"
Her remark brought the color to Rel'y's
face, and Henry Maclane looked annoyed.
" / don't understand - he began.
Mrs. Ellis interrupted him. You will
bring Mrs. Maclane when you come
again P"
Possibly ber husband win be free to
come with her, }" was the quiet response.
Husband! Are you not Mrs. Mac
lanes husband 2" asked Mrs. Ellis, won
deringly.
"Me? Oh, no! Ny brother Joshua is
Mrs. Maclane's husband" replied Henry
Maclane. with smile.
"And father of the Eve children ~ con-
tinued Mrs. Ellis.
Father of the FIVE children" echoed
Henry Maclane.
"And haven't you any wife ?" asked
Mrs Ellis, curiously.
"The Bible says, "A good wife is from
the Lord,'" replied Henry Maclane,
gravely. "He has never given me such
. blessing"
Mrs. Ellis eyes twinkled.
II could give you q Bible quotation
that might help you" J" she said, demurely !;
but warning glance from Reby stopped
her just as a visitor was announced.
"You will come to see Us soon ?" said
Mrs. Ellis, as Henry Maclane arose to
leave.
"Can come this evening?" he asked.
Certainly" replied Mrs. Ellis. at is
well to get gaslight view of things you
are interested IN buying"
When the door shut, Mrs. Ellis turned
to Reby, apparently much interested in
the visitors card. "Do you know what
! was about to quote ASK, and it shall
be given you.'"
"Oh, Sue p demonstrated the shrinking
woman. "Don't toss me to any man as
if were ball to be picked up or let
alone as suits his pleasure"
At the dinner table Mrs Maclane
turned eagerly to her brother-in-law with
the question: How do you ike house
hunting ?"
Immensely" was the hearty response.
'" l think ! never enjoyed anything so
much in my life"
Mrs. Maclane looked searchingly at the
man. II sounded like sarcasm, but there
was genuine pleasure in the face she scru-
tinized. aa 1
at must have been a satisfactory
house," she said complacently. "New,
tell me about it."
" It is pleasant looking house brown
stone front, high stoop and three rooms
Deep" answered Henry Maclane glibly.
Mrs. Maclane looked grati6ed.
" What was the condition of the paper
and paint ?" she asked.
"The hall paper was dark and the
wood work dark and in good order" re-
piled Henry Maclane positively.
Well, the rest of the house % pursued
Mrs. Maclane.
Henry Maclane passed from positive
to . negative condition as he answered in
. puzzled way ST hardly know.
couldn't exactly tell / think the hall
was IN index to the rest"
:, Mrs. Maclane smiled. CLOSETS p she
suggested.
afhe han had closets, /" said Henry Mac
lane, in much the way o school boy begins
. reeita&ion of which he knows only the
frst paragraph. i guess they are all
right
Mr.. Maclane laughed heartily as she
remarked. !" I never take closets on
trust" ae aH
asewer gas n as
@No," responded Henry Maclane :
there was sweet odor Of violets a. I en-.
tered the parior."
o's Good !" exclaimed Mrs. sMaclane. at
souzds like Araby the blest." se IS
= "It. was, ? responded Henry Maolane in
an undertone.
Well, about the rest of the house r.
continued Mrs. Maclane. Did the violet
odor pervade the whole ofthemansiou p