Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-02-11
Two Elopements.

In q large, square. old-fashioned
house-such as our fathers used to
build when solidity was more sought
after than utility, lived Philip Man son
and his sister Esther. Philip had
reached the mature age of forty, and
Esther was close to him. Still, each
had pursued solitary pathway through
life. seeking no companionship save
that of the other, till there was reason
10 believe that they would continue to
follow the same course till in the full
ness of time they were gathered into
the family tomb-the receptacle OF
many generations of the Manson fami-
". There was more reason to think SO,
since they took care to commend an
unmarried life, not only by example
hut by precept.
emo" said Philip. when assailed on
This subject by a match, making lady;
marrying may be very good for some
people, but could not bear to have
my habits broken in upon, and my
whole house turned topsy turvy by the
introduction of a wife"
"But by and by, when You grow
older, you will feel the need of wife
more than ut present"
"No." said Philip. conclusively, " l
have sister who is devoted to me. and
while she lives shall need no other
As for Miss Esther, sac often de-
clared that she never would make a
slave of herself for any man living. If
other women were foolish enough to
rive up their independence, end cite
themselves to o man, for no other
earthly purposes than to burden them
selves with cares and toll from morn
ing till night, she was sure she had no
objection. For her own part she was
wiser. Her brother and she had al
ways lived together peaceably and hap
pily, and she did not think she could
make any change for the better.
OF course, it was insinuated by those
whose opinions differed widely fro m
Miss Esther's, that in adopting this
opinion, she was only making virtue OF
necessity, and that it was best to be
contented with ones lot, providing
there was no chance of improving it.
But Esther did not hear these remarks,
and so was not disturbed by them. She
continued to live in the old house with
her brother. They kept no domestic,
since Esther rather .plumed herself on
her housekeeping quaaities, and there
was really but little to do. So, as her
brother was usually absent during the
day, she was left for the most part to
the companionship of her own thoughts
unless some neighbor CHANGED to call
ina thing, by the way, of rather rare
occurrence, since most OF the neigh
bors had large families of their own.
which necessarily confined them at
home.
Early one afternoon Just after Esther
Manson had completed her task OF
clearing away the dinner dishes, and
storing them away in the cupboard after
. thorough washing, she was startled
BY arap at the door.
Somewhat surprised by caller at
this unusual hour, she answered tho
summons. She was little apprehen-
sive that it was ueighbor who had OF
late proved very troublesome from her
habit of borrowing articles, and owing.
it is to be presumed, to an habitual
forgetfulness, neglecting to return
ahem.
81 hope" she unused, "that if it is
Mrs. Bailey, she will be wanting to
borrow something have not got"
She opened the door; but no Mrs.
Bailey presented herself to her ex-
pecting gaze-a gentleman of forty. five
carefully. nay elegantly dressed, stood
before her.
ST beg your pardon for intruding,
madame" said he, as he noticed
Esther's look of surprise; "but can you
direct me to the house of the late Mr..
WellHeet? have heard it was for sale
and from tie description have heard
OF it. Judge it will suit me-"
cit is the next house on the left, sir,