The Concordia eagle. [volume] (Vidalia, La.) 1873-1890, 1881-05-14

1nNlbeu, Sulteu " thc fcoi7 VI htS 'ioieoi' |
With great amusement, her uncle OBJ
served the attraction her comeiiness and |
winning ways were for these. "Swarm-
ing round--Iike flies about honey-pot ! |
Seeming, 1 dare say, fat iointure. 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 cynical
chuckle. Aloud: "Nice little woman,
that niece of mine. Plenty, of good
looks but hasn't sixpence-not q six
pence to bless herself with"
It was wonderful how The old honse
was frightened mp 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 her;
loving her for her own sake as well as
Tor the kindly help and good Offices she
WAS always receiving from the deft and
willing hands of the young girl. In the
storeroom-that sacred retreat which
her foot was never to inyade-the latter
was to be found on company-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 laplets pinned high
over her head, while, laughing merrily
at the queer figure she had made of her.
self, she worked away at cakes and
sweets, taking a world Of trouble off the
housekeeper's hands.
4" And so thoughtful she is, and gay
bless her p his wife would tell old
John. "She'll come tripping up to
me, and Now, do as you're Did, she'll
say, playfully, 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 a turn
more And then she'll wei away, her
tongue going all the time lbs 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 ques-
ton, she'll get quite silent and strange
Jihvir u minute, and tam on the sub
ject 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 I" cried old
John. Don't you go think such stuff.
Shed take husband tomorrow; mark
my words. And it's my opinion there's
young gentleman comes to this house
that has fairish chance. He's desper-
ate sweet upon her. I 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 eXpedient.
The old gentleman received the an
nouncement with half-pleasant, half
satirieal grimmace.
"Ha, 1 thought So" he muttered.
- But are you aware, my friend, that
there is no money in the case? The lady
hasn't sixpence, and"
Il 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"
ooh, spare your raptlues, young sir.
. Not so fast Don't be too sure of the
/ prize for when You hear what have to
! tell yop there may be, perhaps, a change
in your views, l have no time to go
, into the matter now: but come to-mor-
row, and be prepared to hear what will
surprise you;" and the old gentleman
went off, nodding Internationally,
the lover thought-oyer his shoulder.
leaving the poor fellow in a state OF
most uncomfortable suspense and uncer-
tainty.
! What could this dark hint mean
and why was he not to make sure
Could it he possible there was any
doubt, any mystery as to the demise of
the loved ones husband? He could not
help calling to mind her confused and
singular manner at times; a certain
want of frankness; an evident embar-
rassment at any allusion to the past.
The possibility of an obstacle made the
young man realize as he had not before
done how deeply his affections were en-
gagged. He spent miserable night,
awaiting in vain conjecture and sleep