The Osceola times., 1882-02-11
JUDGING IN HASTE.

curtains Of his Aunt Phedra's pretty
uarlOr: but in her secret heart Aunt
phcdra believed it. was 10 enjoy the light
and warmth of the huge open fire.
And really Aunt Phelra's kitchen was
cozer and more comfortable place than
most parlors, with its redand-back
striped rag carpet, its tall clock in the
corner, yellow-washed walls all testooned
with shining tin, and the big cushioned
chair in the corner.
lie was smoking his cigar, as we said
before; and Aunt Phedra was industri-
ously picking yellow leaves off the biz
fish gefanium in the window.
Yes" said Aunt Phedra, she's COM
ing back, or she wouldn't have sent her
trunk"
"No," said Mr.. sunfold, 81 suppose
not"
"And I'm heartily sorry" said Aunt
Phedra.
Mr.. Sunfold knocked the ashes off the
tip OF his cigar, replaced on the tirc.dogs
a log which had rolled of, and then
asked, in rather a low tone
"Why?"
because YOU are determined T. marry
her" said Aunt Phedra.
"And why shouldn't l marry her
Aunt Phedra?'
Aunt Phedra wheeled around TO face
her nephew.
Because she's q heartless little Grt"
faid she. And I'm sorry ! ever adopted
her and brought her here 10 break the
hearts Of half the young men in the
country"
Mr.. sunfold laughed
Let them take care Of their own
hearts" said he That is no business Of
mine. She loves me, and me only, and
that is enough"
pm not so sure Of that said Aunt
PhCdra with a spice Of feminine malice.
"She'5 a regular c1guet, Elsie Bennett is,
and she may jill youas well as another.
AIN that, Aunt Phedra," said the
young m II slowly, 81 am sure that you
are mistaken
"Im only repeating what people say
retorted the old lady. However, that's
neither here nor there. She told me TO
open the trunk "a soon Is 1t came, and
get ont the black silk dress pattern and
send it to thc dressmaker's. think my
self" Aunt phcdra added incidentally,
that black silk drcs, fora girl of Elsie's
narrow means is simply piece of eN-
travagauce. Yes, Ralph. ! know what
yoh're going to siy-'lf n grl teaches
FNlAbFA anu AtilAl liHA wv u lllRAlN'N ollN
has right TO spend it as she pleases. But
that doesn't alter the common sense Of
the matter. And sine never sent the
key
"Then You can't open it" said Ralph
Sunfold.
UNLESS, said Aunt Phcdra, producing
prodirious ring of different sized keys
unless one of these happens to fit it.
| borrowed 'cm from Luke Smiths wife,
whose husband used to be i'm the lock-
smlthing business. ! wish Ralph, you'd
come into the aeXt room and try it. Pm
80 afraid Of breaking the lock
Certainly, Aunt Phedra,' said Mr..
Sunfold
IF he couldn't see pretty Elsie's dim
pied, blooming self 10 be able 10 do
something for her was the next best
thing and he followed the old lady
with alacrity into the adjoining apart
mCnt. where battered trunk stood
against the wall like leyiathan in re-
pose
''She must have been dreadful
hard on her new trunk" sighed Aunt
Phedra
baggage mashers" suggested her
nephew. "One cont travel without hay'
Ing ones things torn TO pieces. Where
are your Keys, Aunt lhCdrat
lie knelt before the trunk, ,hc old lady
standing sllicitously by, rs one key after
another was tested without apparent
success.
"Im afraid we shall have to give it
M" said Ralph "Stopl here is one more
on the ring Eureka, We have 1.-THE
very thing3'
"Well, | decldrer said Aunt phedra.
. 4 i
balanced IL agains. the wall. "ii that
wasn't sheer good luck. Now for the
black silk dress pattern and the trim.
mines. Eh-what' 4 gentleman's pho
tograph-two of 'em2 A box Of cigar
ettas? I do hope Elsie hasn't gothic nasty
habit Of smoking, like those dreadful
Cuban ladies one reads about. A red silk
smoking-cap and pair Of Turkish slip
pers-"
"Stop, Aunt Phreda" said Mr.. Sunfold,
who had grown very pale, 1--WE have no
right further 10 pry into another persons
belongings
Aunt Phedra turned upon him like an
cnraged lioness.
She wrote to me to look into her
things,n said che, "and Pm looking. And
Pm glad ! looked; for, rs sure as Won
live. Ralph Suufold, Elsie Bennett, my
adopted daughter, has got married on
the sly. and these are her husbands
things, packed i'm among hers"
"Bdt that is impossible said straight
forward Ralph Suufold. "She is engaged
TO mel"
ooh, Ralph, Ralphw cried the old lady,
bursting into the slow, agonized tears of
age. as She let her head fall on her neph-
ew's shoulder, don't think any more of
her She's a jilt-a heartless coquet
Oh my by, my boy, she never was good
enough for youm
Mr.. Sunfold turned silently away. He
would have pledged his life for the truth
and purity of little Elsie Bennett; but
what did these mute Witnesses mean
the testimony ofthe laughing, handsome
photographs, with the silky mustache aud
the dark, audacious eyes?
what are you doing, Aunt Phedra?'
he asked, with his attention at last at
hacicd by her quick, sudden motions.
Shutting mp the hunk," said the old
lady, hrusquely. I'm send liz back 90 her
at once. III have no such brazen-faced
doings in my house!'
NO, Aunt Phedra," said Ralph, reso-