The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1881-05-19

She opened the door, but no Mrs
Railey presented herself to her ex
pecting gaze-a gentleman Of forty
five, carefully, nay, elegantly dressed
stood before her.
Il beg your pardon for intruding
madame, " said he, as he noticed Is
:her's look of surprise, "but can you
direct me to the house of the late Mr.
Wellfeet? have heard that it wa
for sale, and from the description
have heard of it, judge it will suit me.
cit is the next house on the left
sir" answered Esther, who had hac
time, while the gentleman was speak
ing, to examine his appearance, whicl
did not fail to impress her favorably
"Thank YOU for the information.
. trust you Will pardon me for the trau
bic l have occasioncd you," replied
the gentleman, bowling.
Not the least trouble in the world,
replied Esther, a little fluttered by {
Difference to which she had not beer
accustomed.
Two days afterward Esther heard
that Mr.. WillAeet's estate had been
purchased by a stranger named Bige
low. She at ssoncQ coniectured, and
rightly, that this was her visitor. \
few days elapsed, and Esther Mason
received another visit from the gen
tleman.
"I9have a faror to ask of you, Miss
Mason" he began. Ut seems he had
ascertained her name). 81 am aware
that our slight acquaintance will
hardly justify it, but trust time will
remove this objection. You must
know" he added, THAT 1 am bach
elor, depending in many respects upon
my housekeeper, who, though a good
woman in her way, am afraid is not
reliable in matters of taste. As nv
furniture has arrived, but has not vet
been arranged, [ would esteem it :.
real service if you would give me
your opinion in some little matters re
specting its proper disposition. Ny
carriage is at the door ready to carry
YOU over"
"But" said Esther, little hesita-
tingly, Il do not claim to have much
taste. [ fear I shall prove no more
reliable in that respect than your
housekceper."
''Ihave but to look around me, -
said Mr.. BigelOw, politely, ''to be
fully satisfied upon that point"
Esther's cheek flushed with pleas
ure at this compliment, and she made
preparations to comply with the new
visitors request.
1t WIS not without a little con-
sciousness of the sineu ,arity Of her po-
sition that Esther found herself riding
by the side of gentleman with whom
she had scarcely exchanged latf Il
dozer words in the course of her life.
The distance, however, was but short,
and she had little time for reflection.
On arriving At her place of destina-
ton, she found the chief part of the
business accomplished.
The furniture, which, by the way,
was new and handsome, had been ar
ranged in the room after 4 fashion,
but Esther was able to point out sew
eral changes for the better, with all OF
which Mr.. Bigelow profc*sed himself
delighted.
Mr.. Bigelow would not be satisfied
without showing his new found ac-
quaintance all over the house, from
kitchen to garret. When all was
completed he overpowered her with
protestations Of gratitude for her kind
service aud landed her at her own
door just five minutes before her bro
ther came in. Esther was rather glad
of this, as she was little suspicious
that her brother would consider her
advei ture somewhat QuiXotic.
To avoid comment, she did not even
inform Philip that she had ever met
Mr.. Bigelow. He took frequent op-
portunities to call upon her, on some
slight pretext or another, but it al
ways Glanced to he when her brother
was absent.
81 wonder" said Phillip, carelessly,
as he sat by the fire one evening,
"whether Mr.. Bigelow viii not be
looking for a wife before long?"
81 don't know" said Esther, and in
her embarrassment dropped half a
dozen stitches from the stocking she
held in her hand.
''Not that 1 approve of marriage
at least in my own case, sid Philip,
not noticing this demonstration, "but
it may be different with Mr.. Bigelow.
He has no sister to superintend his
establishments I don't know, how
ever, whether there is anybody likely
to suit him in this village. Let me
see-there is Miss Preston; she might
DO"