The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-04-02

taste. lear snail prove NO mOre TO-
liable in that respect than your house
keeper"
~ have but to look around me-"
said Mr.. BigeIow, politely, ito be fully
satisfied upon that point"
Esther's cheek flushed with pleasure
at this compliment and she made prep
arations to comply with her new WIS.,
itor's request.
1t was not without little conscious
ness of the singularity of her position,
that Esther found herself riding by the
side of gentleman with whom she had
scarcely exchanged half dozen 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 destination, she found
the chief part of the business accom-
plished. The furniture, which, by the
way, was new and handsome, had been
arranged in the rooms after fashion,
but Esther was able to point out several
changes for the better, with all Of which
Mr.. Bigelow professed himself delight
ed; he, moreover, asked her advice as
to the proper place in which to hang
several fine pictures that he had picked
up in the course of his European travels.
This was accorded with some hesita-
ton.
Mr.. Bigelow would not be satisfied
without showing his new found acquaint-
ance all over the house, from kitchen to
garnet. When all was completed. he
overpowered her with protestations of
gratitude for her kind service, and
landed her at her door just five minutes
before her brother came in. Esther was
rather glad of this, as she was a little
suspicious that her brother would con-
slider her adventure rather Quixotic
one. M
To avoid comment, she did not even
inform Philip that she had ever met
Mr.. Bigelow. He took frequent oppor-
tunities to call upon her, on some slight
pretext or another, but it always
CHANGED to be a: q time when her
brother was absent. M
81 wonder" said Philip, carelessly,
as he sat by the fire one evening,
whether Mr.. Bigelow will not be
looking out for wife before longr,
"I-I don't know" said Esther, and
in her embarrassment dropping half a
dozen stitches from the stocking which
she held in her hand.
mot that approve of marriage at
least, in my own case" said Philip, not
noticing this demonstration, shut it may
be different with Mr.. Bigelow. He has
no sister to superintend his establish
ment. don't know. however. whether
there is anybody likely to suit him in
this village. Let me see--there is Miss
Preston; she might do"
.sNo. l don't think she would suit
him at all" said Esther, with q spirit
which considerably surprised her BROTH
er. ''She knows very little about house.
keeping"
ssWhy, thought you and Miss Pres
ton were friends" said Philip, little
puzzled.
Well. SO we are," returned Esther
in her. usual tone; ''but IL hardly
think she would suit Mr.. Bigelow.n
Perhaps not" he fejoined, and SO
the conversation ended.
From the conversation which we have
recorded above, the reader will obtain
some insight into the character of Es-
theirs feelings toward Mr.. Bigelow. She
would hardly confess it to herself; but as
matter of fact her ideas of marriage
had suffered material change within q
brief period.
Meanwhile the gentleman continued
his visits. Oftentimes he would ask to
see the bed of flowers on which Esther
rather prided herself, and sometimes
he would petition for seeds, being very
fond of flowers, as he said, and very
anxious to introduce them in his own
garden.
On one of these occasions Mr.. Bige-
low, after q little visible embarrass-
ment, said hesitatingly:
II would like to ask your advice,
Miss Esther, on rather q delicate SUBJ
ject, and one of great Importance to
myself. There is one thing I wish to
secure to make my establishment COM
plete. but hardly know in what man
ner to ask for il"
What is it you refer top asked
Esther, unsuspiciously.
"a wife," was the significant reply
Instantly deep crimson flushed
Esther's cheeks. She did not trust her
self to speak.
Need I say that you are the one.
whom, of all others, l would seek to
place in that position?'
He took her unresisting hand and
kissed it with all the gallantry of a
young lover.
But what will my brother sayp" in
quired Esther, when she found voice to
speak.
]" What should he sayp You are your
own mistress, surelyp"
g Yes, but he is always ridiculing the
idea Of marriage, and l couldn' venture
to tell him.
No need of it. Let's run away to
New York and get married. You know"
he added gaily. g we are both young
and romantic. and it would be quite in
character
Esther at first objected, but when she