Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-04-14

Of his visitor. With great amusement,
her uncle observed the attraction her
comeliness and winning ways were for
these 'Swarming round-like flies
about a honey-pot. Seeming, | dare
say fat jointure. All widows are
supposed to be rich; and just because
she is widow, and for no other reason,
making up to her, the fools!" This to
himself with a cynical chuckle. Aloud
"Nice little wsman, that niece Of mine
Plenty of good looks; but hasn't a six
pence-not sixpence to bless herself
with"
1t was wonderful how the old house
was frightened up by the presence Of
its blithe young inmate. But by none
was its pleasant influence more felt
than by the domestics. who had vowed
such hostility before her arrival. The
old woman especially was devoted to
der; loving her for her own sake as well
as for the kindly help and good she
was always receiving from the deft
and willing hand of the young girl. In
the storeroOm-that sacred retreat
which her foot was never to invade
the latter was to be found on "compa-
ny-days," busy and happy as a bee
with sleeves tucked half way up her
plump arms, her heavy Grape skirts
slowed away under one of the old
lady's capacious Holland aprons, and
1aplets pinned high over her head
while, laughing merrily at the queer
figure she had made Of herself, she
worked away at cakes and sweets, TAX
100, a ,rIrll 81 t,1,,I1a of tho Lnraa
keepers hands.
"And so thoughtful she Is, and gay;
bless her u his wife would tell old John
She'll come tripping up to me, and
Now, do rs you're bid, she'll say, play
fully, forcing me down into my big
chair Sit you down and rest, there's
an old dear, and take your tea. I'm
not a-going to let you do turn more
And then she'll work away, her tongue
going all the time as fast as her fingers
running on about her mother and her
home, her flowers and pets, dogs and
birds, and what not, but never a word
about husband or married days. And
if | touch upon them or ask a question,
she'll get quite silent and strange-like
in a minute, and turn off the subject as
if it burned her. Perhaps for all she's
SO merry outside, she's fretting in her
heart for him that's gone, and can't
a-bear to talk of him."
Nothing of the sort !" cried old John.
Don't you go think such stuff She'd
take husband tomorrow; mark my
words. And it's my opinion there's a
young gentleman comes to this house
81 e, II,'1 Il
ate sweet upon her. | haven't eyes in
my head for nothing, and | see plain
she doesn't dislike him, or hold herself
up distant from him, as she does from
others
Old john was right. Matters were in
due time so far satisfactorily settled be-
tween the young couple that an appeal
to the uncle was deemed eXpedlent.
The old gentleman received the an
nouncement with a half pleased, half
satirical grimmauce.
"Ha, | thought So" he muttered.
"But are you aware, my friend, that
there is no money in the case? The
lady hasn't a siXpence, and"
81 know it, Indignantly interrupted
the sutton You have made that re-
mark before. | want no fortune with
my wife, my own being ample; and my
love"
'Oh, spare your raptures, young sir.
Not so fast. Don't be too sure of the
prize; for when you hear what | have
to tell you there may be perhaps a
change in your views, | have no time
to go into the matter now. but come
tomorrow, and be prepared to hear
what will SURPRISE" and the old gentle
man went off, nodding back-maleyol-
entity. the lover thought-oyer his
shoulder, leaving the poor fellow in a
state of most uncomfortable suspense
and uncertainty.
What could this dark hint mean;
and why was he not to make sure.
Could it be possible there was any
/ doubt, any mystery rs to the demise OF
/ the loved ones husband? He could
not help calling to his mind her con
/ fused and singular manner at times; q
! certain want of frankness; an evident
/ embarrassment at any allusion to the
/ past. The possibility of an obstacle
made the Young man realize us he haC
not before done how deeply his atlec
tions were engaged, He spent a mis-
cradle night, awaiting in vain conjec
ture and sleepless anxiety the tiding
which the morrow might bring forth
In order to explain matters it will b,
necessary to go back for some months
previous to the arrival Of the youn!
lady at her uncle's house; as well rs Il
change the scene from it to II countr.
cottage in Il remote part of England
the home of the widowed sister of tn,
eccentric bachelor. nit we find hin