Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-12-15


maid.
Exactly" said Mr.. Seaford, gravely.
'"rhen its all right, said Diana.
Papa said you would take care of me.
Couldn't We go onto the Iron Pier
and see the Punch and Judy show
now"
Aunt Balestierre could hardly believe
the testimony other double eye glasses
when Miss Diana skipped into the
room with doll in one hand and Il
package of candies in the other.
81 do declare said tie cnjant terrible,
"here's an old lady who is just like tie
ugly old witch in my fairy book is
She your grandmother, Mr.. Seaford?'
Grandmother" gasped Aunt Bales
tierre.
But she was sensible old soul, and
recognized the the truth of DIS de-
scription.
At the end Of the first week, how
ever, Di was found to have wrought a
terrible devastation. The precise but
Ter gave warning, the house keeper
shed tears over her pillsged preserve
closet, the old Sevres china had been
used for dolls tea set, and windows
and disqas statuette of Psyche were
broken, and bottle Of ink had been
upset on the pale-blue moquette car
pet of the drawing room.
"What shall we do?' cried Aunt
Balestierre, in dismay.
Mr.. Seaford smiled, the elf amused
him, in her quaint stormy fashion.
"She is only child" he said.
"But such child ?" said Aunt Bales
tierre.
" Let her stay here said Mr.. Sea-
ford. She'll improve with age
So Diana Fulton stayed, and q'iecned
it over the little household, apparently
little unaware that her slender inheri-
lance was insufficient to pay 1.-THE of
her daily expenses. The boundless
possibilities of youth were here, the
sunshine of a cheerful spirit, and a
quick imaginati n, and she seemed
perfectly happy where she was. AT
fectionate, impetuous, frank and willful
even Aunt Balestierre could not but be
fond of her, after q little.
And then, just as Ito use Di,na's
own word) we were all as happy to-
gether," came the news of an insurrec-
ton among Selwyn Seaford's West In
dia coffee plantations, and his presence
was required immediately on the
spot.
II shall probably return in three
months, or four at the latest he said.
"Oh, Mr.. Seaford !" sobbed Diana,
clinging around him, a" can't go too,
and Aunt Balestierre ?"
"Pshaw, pet pshaw" said Seaford,
more moved than he cared to evince.
"Why, l shall be back before.you have
time to miss me p
When MIR. Seaford spoke the hope
ful words, he never dreamed that
twelve long years would elapse before
he returned, broken down in health,
with hair p-ematurely whitened and
fortune considerably lessened. from the
West India plantations. But good
Aunt Balestiere was there to welcome
him, and Di also.
Diana grown into a royalty beautiful
young creature, slim, stately, deer
eyed, with a color like roses and lilies,
and an unconscious grace in every mo-
ton Mr.. Seaford sighed when he saw
her. Never until then, had he realized
what an old man he was getting to be
old even at tifty-ore years.
Some people We're young of their
age; but he, ev.n the years and months
seemed TO have n special spite against
him
"Yes," said Aunt Balastierre, looking
triumphantly at Di, 'she is quite
woman now. And she has had two
offers, mind, Selwyn! | was quite
vexed at her for refusing young Poole,
who has a quarter of million Of his
own"
Chow is this, little grip asked Mr..
Seaford.
81 didn't care for him." said Diana,
simply.
But you must marry sometime"
urged Mrs. Balestierre, piteously.
Il don't see the necessity of it," re-
torted the girl.
Mr.. Seaford said nothing just then;
but he spoke to Diana, in his capacity
of guardian, few days afterward.
VI dtaI ClIid, eaiu uS, Seutly,
''you are young lady now, and you
have your future to look to. | should
Xix to see you settled in Il home of your
own before | die, and"
ooh, Mr.. Seaford," passionately in
terrupted Diana, don't talk so |"
He smiled sadly.
ain fact, my dear" said he, "you are
now exactly what l fancied you to be,
twelve years ago. when first | heard
that your poor father was gone. was
sitting, | remember, in this very room,
opening my letters, and imagined you
10 be a tall young woman with whom ]
should fall in love"--at this Di laughed
md blushed exquisitely-"or vino might
perhaps fall in love with me, You see,
my pet, | was twelve years younger
hen; and now | am reluctantly com
Delled to acknowledge to myself that
al that remains to me is to play the
part of the old father on the stage, and
md deliver you over TO some handsome
young lovers care"
He spoke lightly, but there was an
lndertone OF deep sadness in his voice.
Diana come and perched herself on
1 - Il Il = i