The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1881-09-09

being made the butt of their jokes
good Uncle Abel, who was looking al
the fabrics incomprehensible to him
his heart only full of the thought how
he should make his present worthy OF
the patient soul for whom it was in
tended.
Then John was greatly perplexed
for, as he said truly, he knew nothing
about all the mysterious and bewilder.
ing arrangements of dress.
Still, he knew that Aunt Betsey's
spare locks, thinly sprinkled with gray,
were not dressed in modern style, and
he could not see whereabouts on that
dear old head any of those gypsies OF
fanchons would rest. He remembered
that long ago, Aunt Betsey was wont
to twist her hair with the same energy
that distinguished all her movements,
and that this resulted in hard knob
at the back of her head, like door.
handle, which certainly would not har-
mOnize with those capeless head
dresses.
Just as his brow was overcast with
this thought the pale girl came near
Uncle Abel, blushing as she did so, in
defiance of the other girls, holding in
her hand plain leghOrn bonnet, trim
med with violet ribbons.
She wore mourning dress, and the
plain brooch at her throat held lock
of gray hair.
Il think this might suit you, sir. she
said. If your wife doesn't dress her
hair in these fashions these bOnnets
would not do. This is rich and plain,
and covers the back of the head and
neck
'Wa'al, now, tell me, for have got
so bothered with these things. want
to get bonnet for Betsey, and mean
to. Now just tell me ify you would like
your mother to wear one like this ?
Oh, beg your pardon, ma'am; l didn't
see. liam sorry!
The young girl brushed off a tear
quickly, as she said:
Il have no mother now; but if you
will trust me sir, think this will
suit
She had stood hitherto, Just out of
the range of John Dare's vision, and
had not seen him at all. Something
in the sound of her voice attracted
him, and when Uncle Abel called,
Here John Darer he stepped hastily
toward them.
The girl thrust the bonnet into I'm
Gle Abel's hands, and would have been
out of sight, if her dress had not caught
on one of the branching stands.
.Amyr and John Dare, with hot
flush on his face, caught her hand.
AMY Egbert, have l found you at
last?'
The girls face grew white and red
by turns, and the words she spoke came
low and broken, that only John Dare
could catch their meaning.
Uncle Abel pushed his spectacles up
on his forehead, still holding the hat in
his hand, looking Open-mouthed, from
one to the other.
Il guess you must have knowed this
young woman aforep he said; but
John was too busy with questions, and
Amy was trembling and flushing as
she tried to speak calmly, and so his
question remained unanswered. Pret-
ty Josie was dividing her attention be-
tween a new customer and the scene
beside her, snd between anger and NOR
tifcation, she looked in no need of help
from rouge, as she tossed her head and
muttered various uncourtious remarks
in regard to "that Amy Egbert and her
beau"
Uncle Able held the hat a little
while longer, quite patiently, but at
|'length despaired Of the interview be-
ing ended, so he coughed, and then
said:
I'll take this bunnit. Twenty dol
lars is good deal. Betsey's worth it,
amt she JohnT
John need not have started so, or
said very which wasn't sensible an
swer at all; but Uncle Abel laughed a
little to himself and said softly, oh,
boys will be boys and he was obliged
to tell Miss Egbert the directions twice
over.
Outside the door John turned to leave
his uncle, and looked as shy as girl as
he said:
It's all right, Uncle Abel. You've
found bonnet, and I've found an old,
old friend
Uncle Abel held his hand fast, and
looking a moment without speaking in
the yOnng mans eyes, said: She's a
motherless girl, John
Uncle Abel and John turned angrily
away. or would have done so, If the de-
tanning hand he'd not held him. Look
here, my boy, meant no offense. None
of my blood turns villains he added
proudly; but you see she's young and
purity and forlorn. and may be if you
amt in earnest, guess it would break
her heart. Shake hands with your un-
Gle, my boy; mean no harm; but
promised Liza, when she was on her
dying bed, that I would allus try to
give you good advice, and the last
words Almost that she spoke, says she
Abel, watch over my boy
My dear, kind uncle, thank you
indeed ] do-but 1 could not bear to
think that you should misjudge me.
knew Amy long ago, when her parents
were both living, and she had all that
wealth could give. 1 loved her then
in quiet way, but was too poor tc
tell her so. Then came reverses and
death, and in her poverty and pride
the girl hid herself from me resolutely
until now. She tried to earn her bread
by her accomplishments, but failed, ant
took this means to do so. Now, if
can win her for my wife, shall bring
| Ava Vnh IN, an