The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-11
OUTMANGUVRED.

"a letter, MISS said Sarah, Miss
Barclays maid, presenting herself al
| the side of the work table, on which
were heaped many-tinted crewels with
/ which Miss Barclay was executing a
composition in the Kensington outline
work.
"A letter. repeated Miss Barclay,
taking it into her hand; land from
| Couin Elizabeth to be surer'
Then carefully cutting the envelope
for tearing letter open was not one of
Miss Barclays habits perused the
contents, which after some preliminaries,
ran as follows:
and now, Hester. want you to do
me favor. l hope it will not incon-
venience you; but am very anxious to
have my daughter Abby leave home for
awhile, and 1 should be so pleased to
have her come to you.
.''She is deep in love-affair with
man hate. His name is Francis Chol-
mondly. I'd rather have her marry any
other decent man on earth.
II do not know why | hate him so,
except that he is puppy. He's not so
poor that he could not take good care
OF wife, and he is rather handsome in
his nasty foppish way
People rather like him generally, and
his social position is good. I've no
doubt I'm unreasonable, but | won't
nave Abby marry him; and if | can't
get her away, l can get rid of him.
so tell you frankly my reasons for
asking you to invite her, and | know
how good-natured you are 1t will be a
thankleSs task, for she's terribly sulky
Just now, but I'll be ever grateful to
you
And then the letter wandered away
again into matters that do not concern |
this story, and ended in the signature
Elizabeth Marsh.
Poor Lizziei she always had such |
strong whims,' said Miss Barclay. 90
ing on with the folds of the purple robe |
OF a thin blonde figure traced upon her
background. Zone of them was to mar
ry Caleb Marsh. l don't believe that
has turned out quite as well as it might
However, I'm fond of Lizzie. and I
shouldn't mind having Abby here. I'll
write at once and ask her And by the
way, I'll invite Brother Richards boy
to come down and bring a friend with
him. Everyone is glad of a weeks coun-
try visit in summer. They'll both fall
N love with the girl in this lonesome
place; and there's no such cure for one
oFe-diIalr as another.
MISS Barclay was lady of prompt
md decisive action. Two letters were
It the office before the next mail went
'ut, ana three bedrooms were being
'ut into apple-pie order and the cook
Fas instructed as to certain provisions
De prepared for the expected guests.
bfother Isaac and myself viii be all
ne better for having the Young people
18th u.s." said Miss Barclay; but cook ,
n old servant, who prided herself on !,
eng 'free-spoken, was of opinion !,
lat peace and quetness would be /,
roken up by all sorts of racket. and !
lat she d no doubt they'd be obliged to
Nv butter.'
However, rs cook afterwards remark :
l. she was well aware that was not her y
okout.
ana on Saturday the stage paused at +
e door, and from its top clamberod :.
'wn two youths; one big aud rough
'aded. the other@small and sleek. but A.
III armed with porsmanteaux. GUN -
SeS anu fshlng-rods exactly resembling z
oh other
IAN right, driver" cried the rough =;
AGED youth, ..Au right, driver"
This is the young 1ady's stopping
ace, too shouted the driver. This y,
Miss Barclays. u
But by this time the young lady was VI
ting out
she was pretty girl. with splendid W
ad OF black hair, which, when Miss De De
relay had seen her last, she had worn to,
two long braids down her back. 70
NOW she was wonderfully grown-no 81 81
ger little girl, but a young lady. to
"a couture Of puffs and crimps that yaosl
|. ! mystery to prim Miss Barclay. for
coquettish hat was set very much viii
one side of her head, and instead Of ME s.
sullen scowl Miss Barclay had ex-
ted. she greeted the lady with the
st beaming smiles. "I'
Dear Cousin Barclay" she exclaim- /
how good of you to ask me to this boo
ely placei adore the country. and ane
n SO pleased to see you again. How has
ct yon lookf / must kiss YOU. bae
that q am going to be perfectly hap
all the, time I m here 7
Is she acting, or does she mean itp'' Hal
% the spinster to herself. ..Ifs be
'mfort to find her SO pleasant any. to 1
hen
~ snc aus :" ereo hearIlly ana merrily, of {
sending Sarah to show her younoI wit
nm the way to her room, that she