The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-12-30
OFFAND ON.

the midst of the red and gold of its naples,
and with the windows of Its sittinS-room MI
ablaZe with the CHEEKY light of II hickory
fire.
Mr. Joel Albright sat on one side of the
fire, meditatiyely twirling his thumbs--a
bald headed, rosy faced old gentleman, with
good nature and content on every feature.
His sister, comedy and pleasant, though an
"old maid" occuPied the rocking chair OPP
posite. busted with her knitting, yet every
now and then casting glance first from the
window and then ut the nicely spread sup
per table visible in IN adjoining room.
I'm afmid that We allow Nellie to stay
out too late, now that the evenings are get
ting chilly" she presently remarked.
1t won't hurt her" her brother returned,
placidly. Il heard her say that the woods
and lanes We're prettiest ut sunset, and We
may as well let her enjoy herself in her own
way whileshe's with us.
'She ought to live III the country. That's
what she was made for. How delighted
she is with everything the little ducks
and chickens-and how bright and rosy
she's grown in the short time that She been
here"
Il wish We could keep her with us, said
Mr.. Albright, wistfully.
Il wish We could Miss Lolita replied. Il
fancy she's not very happy at her Aunt Ben
ticks. She's n worldly minded woman,
with daughters of her own whom she's anN-
ious To marry of, and I've an idea that she
sent Nellie To us; less from remembering
that she was my nieces daughter than for
sake of getting her out of the way of her
own girls. Lucy Bentick il Nellies age.
and not TO compare with her i'll good looks. 4"
A brief silence ensued, when Mr. Albright
said, slowly;
i've been thinking, Lottie, if il wouldn't
bs right in us TO make some provision for
Nellie. We could leave her Il. part of the
property.
Why, JOEL
Yes, YES! | know that We always in
tended il for Dick; but it's a considerable
large property, and he can afford to spare n
part To Nellie They are the same kin to us
great niece and great -nephew-and Nellie
has nothing of her own to speak of. And
if she shouldn't marry, like you, Lottie, or
should marry badly-as Dick Is mother did
what will she have to depend upon?"
Miss Lottie knitted moment III silence.
Then she said:
You are about right brother, and We will
think ofit But hush--here comes Nellie. :"
She moved her chair and made plenty of
room in front of the fire; then looking
around with pleasant smile on her face,
started up with M exclamation Of astonish-
ment:
why, Richard"
Yes, il is !, Aunt Lottie," laughinsly
said the tall, good-looking young man who
entered. ''Don'tlook rs though you beheld
an apparition' | am no ghost--let me con-
vince you"
He took her in his arms, and gave her u
kiss and bearish hug, then shook his uncle
heartily by both hands.
Where did you drop from 80 suddenly
Dick? ! thought You were in Brooks d
Browns office, iiggering away for dear life.
80 / Was, yesterday. But they had
business in B, and concluded to send
me to look after it, kindly granting me leave
for three days of partridge shooting. Ihad
no summer holiday You know and was ac-
tually pning for "A look mt dear old Maple
wood, and Il tramp through the stubble,
with Nellie at my heels.
Nellie? Oh, the setter, you mean. Well
she's already for You. Poor boy! l was
considerable afraid you wouldn't be salts
fed Shut up in banking office! Boys
brought up among horses, and dogs and
guns, don't naturally take to city life. But
the shootings tirst-rlte this season, Dick,
and I've been wishing for you every day
that I've been ont. My eye amt as good,
nor my hand rs sure, as they Hsed To be,
but brought down II dozen cartridges to-
dny."
''And we have them fol supper to- night,
put in Miss Lottie; land, besides, Richard,
there is another treat for yon--a young
lady"
"A yonng hdy? Why auntie, that will
spoil MI. was thinking how coy should
he with only You two
Here he was interrupted by slight tap ut
the window, and small white hand, hold
ing a sprig of holly was visible, reaching mp
To the window-pane.
That's Nellie" Aunt Lottic said, "com-
ing in from her walk, and now We will have
supper" Az.
''But auntio, I'm not presentable in this
dusty coat. I'll run up stairs and furnish up
little"
He disappeared ut one door, as Nellie en-
tered ut another-a slight, graceful girl, with
sweet face, bright brown eyes, and white
hands holding mass Of autumn leaves.
Il feared you would scold me for staying
out 80 late, Aunt Lottie," she said; but
was tempted to follow the stream as far rs
the mill -pond-and oh, Uncle 10, it was just
lovely!'
"Well, hope il has given you IN appetite.
my dear, for supper is about ready" said
practical Aunt Lottie; ''and theresa gentle
man coming in 10 tea Nellie, so il you wan,
TO smooth yonr hair-what tangle it Isl i'll
child!-you must be quick abOut il, for here
comes Ann with the rolls and cartridges.
The brother and sister looked ut each
other, ~ her light step sounded on the
stairs, and her sweet voice was heard hum
ming II snatch of mn old song.
They're handsome couple--blcss theii
hearts," said Uncle Joel.
Suppose they were To fancy each other?'
suggested Miss Lottie, Frightening with thu
new idea.
Uncle Joel's face quite glowed ut this
and no ran his fingers through his fringe
white locks, till they stood upright.
"Bless me! why they will. They couldn'
help il if they tried. Where could Dick fin,
q nicer girl than Nellie, or she finer fellow
than Dick? say, Lottie, we'll just go GU
of the room after supper, and leave 'en
alone together to get acquainted, and taxi
my word for it"
Nonsense! Much you know about sucl
things! Why that would spoil it all. TIL,
right way is just 10 pretend that We haven
thought of such thing. II they se'
that We want il, they'll just go contrary.
well, mebby so. Young folks were al
ways mighty quare Creators" said Uncl'