The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-09-13

his favor. l. is al very right and nice.
l saw it signed "a witnessed, and the
old one destroyed; that Is her regular
custom before she signs the new one"
What's the new ONE like Y' asked
Gertie. Has he come f''
@Oh, such . horrorp broke in Freda,
looks like Jew tradesman -snd his
manners are insuHerabIe. / shant 90
near BrockwOod again during Mr. Jona-
than Marilher's stay"
MarilIier p exclaimed, 81 thought
l had met with with Brockwood, before,
but couldn't imagine where"
"What on earth are you talking about G''
said the girls together.
l explained. When had done Freda
began: "That's the very Major MarilIier
that poor Miss Patty Payne Miss Cor
belts companions always telling me
about Yes, he's cousin, distant one,
and four years ago vas here on visit.
Miss Patty goes into wild raptures about
him on small provocation- He was very
kind to her, poor forlorn little woman
Miss Corbett was delighted with him at
first, and then quarrelled furiously with
him. believe he used disrespectful Ian
guage about her monkey"
"The monkey!' l shouted.
"Why, yes, she had one for pet just
then, nasty, thieving, mischievous erea-
ture. Everyone hated it, and it ended
by costing poor Major Marillier Brock
wood. Miss Patty doesn't know exactly
what the quarrel was about-but Miss
Corbett called him swindler and time
serving hypocrite one day at dinner, and
he got up, said goodbye to her quite po-
litely, and left the place at once. His
luggage was sent after him-and the
monkey. He left orders with the butler
that if ever it was to be disposed of he'd
like it. Next day Miss Corbett did moth
ing but cry and moan after him-saying
ing he had deserted her, and that the
monkey should be hanged-so Parker,
the butler, took it away, and sent it off
to Major Marillier without telling her,"
When Freda stopped, | began my
story, and had the satisfaction of seeing
all the family as puzzled as myself
Il wish your friend could be induced
to make some advances to Miss Corbett,"
said my father. Pm sure he would
ho,.a n c.ood ohoroo &c .ko s,,.<..a:,,,,
THAT MarilIier will never do" re-
piled, emphaticalIy. He's not that sort
of man."
"It's shame ~ said Freda, indig-
nantIy. "PIl speak to Miss Corbett my
self tomorrow: l know she likes me.
No! you shall go and tell what fine
fellow her cousin is. Wen drive over
together"
That interview never came off. Once
only in our lives were Miss Corbett and
destined to meet. From the moment
of Mr.: Jonathan MariIlier's arrival, all
outsiders like ourselves were gently and
unobstrusively kept from approaching
the poor old woman, who looked feebler
and shaker every Sunday. Poor Miss
Patty's eyes and nose bore signs of much
weeping, and we heard of no new pets
being adopted.
One night came furious peal at the
bell and a mounted groom delivered a
note from Miss Patty begging my father
to come without delay. "Pll drive you"
/ called out to him, plunging into some
clothes and in quarter of an hour we
were on the road, greatly wondering
what had caused the summons.
Lights were in the Brockwood win
dows as we drove up. "One!" changed
from the tall clock tower over our heads
as we passed under the echoing archway
that led to the big hall. Brockwood was
rambling old red sandstone pile, smoth
cred in ivy, looking gloomy and ghost
ridden enough by daylight, bat positively
gruesome in the small hours. was left
by Parker, who shook his head dolefully
when | inquired after his mistress, with
one candle, in a spacious vault of dining
room, surrounded by grim portraits of
pead and gone Corbetts, staring out white
from their dingy backgrounds The gloom
and the stiffness grew so appalling that l
fairly jumped when the door suddenly
opened, admitting truly awful appara-
tion "A figure with dishevelled black
ringlets in shawl pattern dressing-gown,
carrying = bedroom candlestick
Mr.. Msrillier, presume" / retained
sufficient composure to remark
Yes, I'm Mr.. Marillier, Miss Corbett's
only nephew. I've not the pleasure of
your acquaintance, SIR, and at any other
time should be happy to make 1t; but for
stranger to be here just now is-you
must excuse my saying it-a-a species Of
intrusion"
Miss Corbett sent an imperative sum-
mons to my father" ] replied
Most extraordinary! A very extra
ordinary proceeding. lam Miss Corbett's
natural guardian and protector; Pm her
nephew. She only took the name of Corbett
with the property. Dear, dearl Rhoda
ought to have been here now; . lady can be