Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-08-26
Our Uncle From China.

MY desrs," cried Mrs. CAidleigh,
hurrying into the breakfast room, II
haye news for you-the very best of
newsl"
What is it?" demanded Bertha.
Has Mr.. Everieigh spoken at last "
My aunt flushed and bit her lip.
MY dear Bsrtha." she said, "you
should net be SO outspokenl To hear
you. one would fancy We were exceed
ingly anxious about Mr.. Everleigh."
"Well, aren't we?" interrupted
Bertha. eaucily, tossing hes blonde
hair. "I'm sure we've been expecting
him to speak for the last month, and
hoping for it, tool"
You seem to take it for granted,
Bertha, l said, "that when Mr.. Ever
leigh does speak. it will be to propose
for you. Now, you forget me. Who
can tell which he may choose ?"
Bertha curled her lip.
Hell not be likely to choose you,
Meg. at any rate,' she said. with q
sneer.
Now I knew this to be quite true.
sasa ptvr orphan, my father having
fi:d. penniless, a few years before.
We lived in a email cottage, with only
four rooms, that had once been the
gardt nsl's cottsge, and which had been
sraIted to as, rent free, by Aunt Mary.
In fact, We we're more or less dependents
on her bounty. Mother eked out our
scanty living BY taking in plain needle.
work, and / earned little by fine en-.
broidery. but bad not much time OF
my own, for my aunt was sending for
me continually. to do this and that; and
! did not dare to refuse. was, in
short, q kind Of maid. of. ali.wo up at
the "great house." az we called Aunt
llary's residence. Sometimes thought,
vith q sigh, of the difference between
pamma's lot end Aunt Marys. Then
remembered that the latter had sold
herself for money. marrying an old
man who was twice her sge, and jealous
and exactiDg. Fortunately, lie had
died. at last. Bnt Amt Mary had
long since. paid the penalty, by growing
harder-hearted and more selfish daily.
while my own dear parent, who had
married for love, had been supremely
happy; at least, while father lived. /
vas pot sure, recalling all this, that. in
spite OF our privations, We ought to
complain. Yet Bertha was correct, oil
course. What right had |, dependant,
even TO think OF Mr. Everleigh, who
vas rich, fashionable, and q favorite
everywhere9
But ! was humcn, after all, and this
cruel taunt aroused me,
cant see Why he shculdnt marry
even me, it be loved me-" retorted. ;.
He's free agent, at any rate"
Bertha tossed her head, till her ring.
lets were in u simmer.
What little fool you afe!" sbe
aald. For goodness sake, hold your
tonguel Mamma, love-" and she turned
her back on me, "don't you mean To
tell as your good news?"
"Aesuredly," when YOU ara nol;te
enough to hesr it. I've bean WAITING
now some ten minutes. Are Won and
Meg quite done with your absurd dis.
cussion? 2" " 0''
"Qoite. mammal It was Mep who
started it; she's always chatteripe non.
sense! But let us hear the news"
Aunt drew q letter from her
pocket.
"A letterl' cried Bertha. "Then it
sHga .SsS nos concern Mr.. Everleigb, after
Ny dear, no. No one mentioned
mr.; Everleieh's name, but yourself. !
tealiy Wish yop would try and be little
more guarded. The letter Is from your
uncle In Shanghai. He is COMING
hcme"
Bertha and gave simultaneous ex.
elamation. Since the earliest da1s o,
our childhood, "our uncle ia China >
sad been the center about which all our