The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-03-04

cousin Walter and myself arc excellent
good friends, and as he happens to have an
attachment OF his own, he is just as adverse
TO being forced into marriage with a
stranger as yourself discovered all this
In the course Of Il conversation with him,
and then told him the story of our meet
| ing, and our present relations. The revcla-
| tiOns came just in time. His father was
| even then urging a visit here upon him.
Nothing was easier than for me to take his
place, ana let Walter undertake a more
welcome ia nt.'
'And npw that you are here, sir, what
can you 40"
"Upon my SOUL" cried the young man,
somewhat ruefully, 81 hardly know |
must try and ingratiatc myself with your
aunt and leave the rest to luck"
a long talk WIS followed by long stroll,
and thus nearly two hours elapsed before
they returned to the house. Aunt Minerva
bcamed most approving glance upon
what she deemed the success of her plans,
but she startled them the next moment by
saying:
81 have just had Il note from your father,
Mr.. Harvey. lie will be with us himself
tomorrow morning."
Poor Arthur tried hard to conceal the
| CONSERVATION which this intelligence threw
him into. Fortunately Miss Minerva was
IN too cOmplacent humor TO be very OBJ
servant.
"Come, Hope, you shall read the note.
would give him peep Also"
Miss Hope, in another room, read John
Ilarvcys billet, which ran as follows: g..
'If my son Walter, usually so dutifnl,
should disappoint he in our plan, | shall
feel like adopting my nephew, Arthur
Harvey, who is Il splendid young fellow,
and would probably do more to obigc me,
as he has not been spoiled by indulgence.
| suppose my gentleman will have arrived
before yun get this. have taken a sudden
notion that he may require overseeing, and
as have long owed you visit, | will pay
my debt by following this note tomorrow
morning
Sincerely your friend,
JOHN HARVEY"
''I suppose" said Hope, slyly, though
she felt in no humorous mood, t'if YOU
couldn't get the son, anntie, you would not
object to the nephew, rs it would all be in
the family?'
"Well," replied her aunt, after a mo-
ment's thought, "I don't know how that
might have been if hadn't met Walter
Harvey. But | feel now that no other
young man could replace him. Besides,
Hope" and here she gave her niece n mis-
chcvous pinch, 81 guess he won't be so
unwiling.'
Poor Hope could only hang her head and
blush like guilty thing.
"What shall do, Hopc2" cried Arthur,
when she trippcd back into the parlor. II
feel like running away inst0ntcr."
''rhat would be so bravc!" was the
rather sarcastic rcioindcr.
''Plcasc, then advise-or rather, COM
mand me-" = " p .ss
"Well, then, sir, hear your orders.
This deceit makes nc feel mean and guilty,
in spite of myself, and we must have an
explanation at all hazards"
"Now2"
Hope reflected moment.
mo, not now--to-morrow. You must
face your uncle, and then let the truth
come out.
Sand then won't there be storm !" tho
young man said, Struggling his shoulders
"Wcll, we have raised 1t, and must meet
it," Miss Hope replied, bravcly, ,-"And
now let us dismiss the subject for to-day. "
But although they did their best to be
happy, a nervousness about the coming cx-
posurc ovcrhung them, and they were much
too restless for comfort that evening and
the next morning
: 1t was ten O'Clock before the train from
the city arrived, and two weary hours
passed after breakfast before the expected
visitor reached the house.
He was received at the door by Miss
Minerva, while Hope and her lover re-
NAMED in the sitting room. Arthur made
virtue of necessity, and advanced to greet
his uncle with as much hcartincss and in
nocence as he could possibly throw into his
manner. #.' 50
"Why, Arthur" cried the old gentle
man, 'this is rather surprise. What
could have brought you here ?"
But he gave his nephew warm shake
of the hand.
"Arthurl' cried the aunt. "Arthur,
thought your sons name was Walter, John
IIarvcy2"
$50 it is, Miss NIinerva--so 1t is; but
this young man happens to be my nephew. :"
"Good gracious |" gaspcd Miss Blair,
sinking back into chair.
John Harvey began to comprehend that
something was wrong.
''See here, Arthurl" he cried sternly.
Have you been playing trick Why
arc you here, instead of nay son, whom L
| sent2"
"Dcar uncle, Walter would not come,
for he is not hcart-treo and he and both
knew that you wanted Miss Hope in the
family, we thoughtthat is I.-he-"
There was blank, ominous silence.
Hope stole to Miss Minerals side
"Dear auntic, she said, "yoN must for
give Arthur and mo. We are such old
friends Besides" she added demurely,
'you said if you couldn't get John Harvey's
i son, you would prefer his nephew"
Mr.. Harvey sand Miss Blairsg glanccs met,
and something like a smile passed over
their faces. hH' y
81 sec how 1t is," said lie, eve have
been fighting nature, which Is bit of a
mistake. guess we had better rcctify it. "
And they did 80.
Everybody knows how {; If not learn Of
Mr., and Mrs Harvey t'r