The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-24

AtAiStNifS Ott ottNCi lNi 1OOi III Al
day or two, if you trust me-"
Trust you?p Minnie look at him
through violet eyes obscured in
tears. '0h, sir, | should be so
thankfully"
=
'How late you are, Frank Here
give me your overcoat-it is all
powdered with snow, and
But Frank interrupted his bust
ling, cherry checked little mother,
as she stood on tiptoe to take off his
outer wrappings.
Hush, mother there, is young
lady down stairs"
"A young lady, Frank?D g
Yes, mother; expressed from
Iowa to old Harrington, the rich
merchant. He sailed for Europe
this morning, and she is left entirely
alone Mother she looks like poor
Blanche, and / knew you, wouldn't
refuse her corner until she could
find something to do"
Mrs. Evans went to the door and
called cheerfully out:
Come up stairs, my dear-you're
as welcome as the flowers of May.
Frank yon did quite right; you al
ways do"
The days and weeks went on, and
still Minnie remained an inmate of
Mrs. Evans humble dwelling.
1T seems as though she had tax
en- our dead Blanche's place." said
the cosy little widow; "and she was
so useful about the house. don't
know how | ever managed without
her. Now, Minnie, you are not in
earnest about leaving tomorrow"
81 must dear Miss Evans. Only
think, I've been here two months
tomorrow, and the situation of gov
erness is very advantageous"
"Nery well. shall tell Frank
how obstinate you are"
Dearest Mrs. Evans please don't
Please keep my secret"
"What secret is it that must beso
righteously kept?" asked Mr. Frank
coolly walking into the discussion,
with his dark hair tossed about by
the Wind and his hazel brown eyes
sparkling archly.
"Secret repeated Mrs. Evans,
energetically whipping her dim spec
tacle glasses. Why Minnie is deter
mined to leave us tomorrow"
"Minnie,"
II must, Frank | have no further
right to trespass on your kindness. "
.sNo right, Ell? Minnie do you
know that the old house has been
different house since you came
into it? Do you suppose we want
to loose our little sunbeam"
Minnie smiled sadly buther hand
felt very cold and passive in Franks
warm grasp.
you'll stay, Minnie?"
"No."
She shook her head de.erminedly.
"Then You must be made to stay"
said Frank. 'I've missed some
thing of great value lately and
hereby arrest you on suspicion of
the theft"
Missed something?"
Minnie rose, turned red and white.
Frank, you can never suspect
me?h
"But / do suspect you. In fact
am quite sure the article is in your
possession"
.'The article ?"
my heart, Miss Minniel Now
look here-I know / am very young
and poor, but / love you, Minnie
Harlan, and / will be a good and
true husband to you. Stray and be
my wifep'
$50 Minnie, instead of going out
os governess, according TO the pro-
gramme, married the dark-haired
young clerk in Ellison's Express
office in New York.
They were very quietly married,
early in the morning, and Frank
took Minnie home to his mother
and then wen. calmly about his
business in the wire cage, under the
circlet of gaslight.
evans p
s'Yes, sir"
Frank with his pen behind his
ear as of yore, quietly obeyed the
behest of the gray haired official.
'sDo you remember the young
woman who was expressed on from
Millington, Iowa, two months
since?"
"Yes, sir-I remember her.
A tall, silver haired gentleman in
terposed with eager quickness:
aWhere is she? i am her uncle,
Walter Harrington. / have just re-
turned from Paris, when the news of
her arrival reached me. l want
her; she is the only living relative
left me"
aAh. but, SIR" said Frank, "you
can't have her."
"Can't have herl What do you
mean? Has anything happened ?"
@Yes, sir, something has happen
ed. Miss Harlan was married to
me this morning"
Walter Harrington stared.
Take me to her." he said hoarse-
ly, II can't be parted from my only
living relative by mere whim."
II wonder ifhe calls the marriage
service mere whim?" thought
honest Frank but he obeyed in ST.
lence.
Minnie" said the old man, in
faltering accent, ''you will come to
me and be daughter of my old age.
l am rich, Minnie, and you are all ] |
have in the world
But Minnie stole her hand through |
her husbands arm.
dearest uncle, he was kind to
me when / was most desOlate and |