Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-01-01


stood before her.
81 beg your pardon for intruding,
madam" said he, as he noticed Es.
theirs look of surprise "But can
you direct me TO the house of the
late Mr.. Wellfleet? L have heard it
was for sale, and from the descrip-
ton have heard of it. judge it will
ssuit me-"
..It is the next house on the left,
answered Esther, who had had
while the gentleman was, speak
30 examine his appearance,
did not fail to impress her fa-
|s4 nufpr the information.
tr ngdon me for the
DRed you," re-
world, rep hut
tered by def6ll she
had not been accus(dnI
Two days afterward ESllI Ieard
that Mr.. Wcllf1eet's estate had bsen
purchased By q stranger named Bige-
low. She at once c0njeclured, aud
rightly, that this was the. same with
her visitor. A few DAYS elapsed and
Esther Manson received an other visit
from the gentleman. ID
81 have a favor to ask Of you, Miss
Manson" he began Git seems he had
ascertained her nanie). am aware
that our slight acquaintance will
hardly justify it, but / trust time
will remove this objsc,ion. "Y.u
must know" he added, smiling,
sthat am II bachelor. dependent in
many respects upon my housek seper,
who, although a good woman in her
way, l am afraid is not reliable in
matters Of taste. AS my furniture
has arrived, but has not yet been ar
| ranged. L would esteemeit rea Fser-
vice if you would give me your opin-
lon in some little matters respecting
its proper disposition. My carriage
is at the door to carry you over"
"But," said Esther, a little hesi-
tatiDgiy. Il do not claim to have
mucn taste. fear l shall prove no
more reliable in that respect than
| your housekeeper." ;NA
| 81 have bat to look around me, -
said Mr.. Bigelow, politely, to be ful.
ly satisfied upon that point"
| Esther's cheek flushed with pleas.
| VI az tuio CVu pliDcHt, ouu bue iudUe
preparations to comply with her new
visitors request.
1t was not without a little consci.
business of the singularity Of her posi-
tfon that Esther found herself riding
by the side of gentleman with whom
she had scarcely exchanged half q
dozen words in the course of her
life. The distance, however, wai
but short and she had little time fel
reflections. On arriving at her plac.
of destination, she found the chic
part of the business accomplished.
The furniture, which, by the way
was new aud handsome. had beel
arranged in the rooms after . fashion
but Esther was able to point ou
several changes for the better, Will
all of which Mr.. Bigelow professet
himself delighted; he, moreover
asked her advice as to the prope
place in which to hang several fn
pictures that he had picked up in tn,
course Of his European travels. Thi
was accorded with some hesitation
/ Mr.. Bigelow would not be salts
fed without showing his new foun.
acquaintance ali over the house, from
kitchen to garrst. When all wa
|, completed he everpewered her wit
protestations OF gratitude for he
kind services, aud landed her at b g
own door just five minutes befor
her brother came in. Esther wa
rather glad of this, as she was littl
, suspicious that her brother woui,
consider her adventure rather
Quixotic one.
10 avoid comment, she did 10
even inform Philip that she had eve
met Mr.. BIgelow. He toek frsquen
opportunity to call upon her, Of
some slight pretense or another, bu
it always cbanced to be when he
brother was absent.
81 wondsr,' said Philip, careless
ly, as he. sat by the fire one evening
whether MIR. Bigelsw will not b
looking out for a wife before long p
I. 81 don't know" said Esther, all,
i'll her embarrassment dropping hal
. dozen stitches from the stocking
she held i'll her hand.
''Not that approve Of marriage
at least in my own case" said Philip
not noticing this sdcmonstratioN, "bu
it may be different with Mr.. Bigelow
He has no sister to superintend hi
establishment. / don't know, how
ever, whether there is anybody likel,
to suit him in this village. Let m
see-thers is Miss Preston; she nigh
do.'
mo, don't think she would sui
him at all" said Esther with spiri
which consid erably surprised he
brother. S'She knows very it'll
\ about housekeeping"
| "Why, thought you aud Mis-
Preston were frieuds," said Philip,
little puzzled. ..7f.4sy -.-l
| "Well, SO We are" returned Esthe
in her usual tone +"but IL hardly
think she would suit Nj. Bigelow. :
"Perhaps not" he rejoined, aud 81
the conversation ended.
+ From the conversation which ",
have recorded above the reader vii
obtain some insight into the charac
ter of Esther's feelings toward Mr.
Blgslow. She would hardly coufes
1t to herself; but, as a-matter of fact
her ideas Of marriage had suffered
material change W thin brief period
i Meanwhile the gentleman continu
Cd his visits. Oftentimes he woult
ask to see the bed of flowers, OF
which Esther rather prided herself
aud sometimes he would petition fol
seeds. being very fond Of flowers, q!
he said, and very anxious to intro
duce them in his own garden.
| On cue of these occasion Mr.. Bige
lew, after little visible embarrass
ment, said, hesitatlngly
81 would like to ask your advice
Miss Esther, on rather delicate
subject. and one of great Importance
to myself: There is one thing l wisl
TO secure to make my establishment,
complete; but l hardly know in wha,
manner to ask for it,"
"What is it yeu refer to2" asked
Esther, unsuspiciously.
"a wife," was the significant
reply.
Instantly a deep crimson flushed
Esthel's cheeks. She did not trust
herself to speak.
Need say that you are the one
whom, of all others. [ would seek to
| place in that position ?''
lie took her unresisting hand and
kissed it With all the galantry of 9
young lover.
"But what will my brother say p
inquired Esther, when she had found
n