The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-06-11


and blush. Our hero was considerably
embarrassed by the recollection of the
mistake he had made; 'but the quietly
cordial greeting of his young hostess
soon put him completely at his ease.
At her fathers reQuest-who was yery
proud of his daughters varied accom-
plishments-Mary sang and played for
her cousin, and his visit ended in singu-
lar contrast to the stormy way it COM
menced. Edward refused the So note
rendered to him by his uncle at parting
for his travelling expenses.
The old man smiled as he returned
the note to his pocket book.
ssHe's a sensible young chap, after all, !"
he remarked to his daughter, as the door
closed after their guest. "It's in him, it
it can only be brought out. We shall see
we shall see."
ga good deal for father to say" /" was
Mary's inward comment, who thought
her cousin the most agreeable young
man she ever met.
Three years later, Mr.. Stone and his
daughter paused in front of small but
neat and pleasant looking shop, on the
plate glass door of which were these
words:
EDWARD STONE,
STATIONERY AND BOOKSTORE.
It being too early in the day for Gus.
toners, they found the proprietor alone,
whose face flushed with pride and pleas
ure as he greeted them.
ssI got your card, nephew" said the
old man, with a cordial grasp of the
hand, ''and called around to see how you
were getting on. thought it was about
time I gave you the little lift you asked
of me three years ago. You don't look
much as if you needed it, though"
tsNot at present, thank you, uncle, it
is the same business that wanted to
buy then. The man who took it had to
borrow money to purchase it with, get
ting SO much involved that he had to sell
at q sacrifice"
tJust what you wanted to do"
Edward smiled at the point made by
his uncle.
''It isn't what I've done, though. I've
saved 81 q week from my salary for the
last three years; and so was not only
able to pay the money down, but had $50
besides"
s'Bravor' cried the delighted old man,
with another grasp of the hand, that
made our hero vince. Tim proud of
you! You're bound to succeed, see,
and without anybody's help. I told your
Cousin Polly that, when she was
eighteen, I'd buy her house in the city
that she should furnish it to suit herself,
and have all the servants she wanted
and I've kept my word. Come round
and see us whenever. you can; you'll
always find the latch-string out"
Edward did not fail to accept the in
vitation SO frankly extended-a very
pleasant intimacy growing up between
the three during the twelve months that
followed. Our hero's business grew and
prospered, until he began to think of re-
moving to larger place. His uncle had
given him several liberal orders, as well
as sent him number of customers, but
said nothing more about assisting him
in any other way until Christmas eve.
Entering the room where Edward and
his daughter were sitting, he said:
ST mustn't delay any longer the little
lift promised you, nephew, and which
you have well earned"
Edward glanced from the $4,000 check
to the lovely face at his side, and then to
that of the speaker.
''You are very kind, uncle-far kinder
than deserve-but-"
s.But what, lad? Speak outl Would
you prefer it in some other form?"
Edwards fingers closed steadily and
over the hand that he had taken
in his.
eyes, uncle; in this"
The old man looked keenly from one to
the other.
s'You are asking good deal, nephew.
Polly, have you been encouraging this
young man in his presumption?"
s'I'm afraid I haye, father was the
smiling response.
The fathers eyes moistened.
''Then go, my daughter. I give you
to worthy keeping; and, if you make
your husbands heart as happy as your
mother made mine during the few short
years that she tarried by my side, he will
be blessed indeed.