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

WnOn she Htt1 YET only ohNtfNSil itfeiiNio'
81 am so glad that you came at once
Fred she said. ..and SO pleased tina
you brought Mr.. 10y
..Mr. Oakley said Fred s.My col
lepe chum Frank Oakley. My dea
aunt. we'er very much obliged TO you
and father sent his love, and mothe
wonders when you intend to come ant
see her; and I've letter and some pat
terms and things in my. bag. And, Aun
Hester, what pretty girl that is! She's
travelled all the way with US. Nevel
saw such pretty girl before"
'sThats Cousin Lizzie's daughter
Abby" replied Miss Barclay. ''Sh'
paid visit to your house when you
were twelve years old, but you woulC
not speak to her. You said you hateC
girls. >
What cub [ WASP" replied the
shock-head grayely. "Well. l don't
know, Aunt Hester. As for Frank, ht
edores them. Don't you, Frank
Frank looked modest
There is so much to admire in al
wo-I mean. in all ladies" he answered
with n little lisp.
"What very polite young man.
thought Miss Barclay.
1t was a very merry tea-table. Old
Mr.. Barclay, to be sure, did very little
but eat, after having solemnly shaker
hands all round; but Fred was host in
himself, and Miss Barclay chatted a.
merrily as the young people.
That very night she wrote to her cous
in Elizabeth.
my DEAR LIzzrE,-You'd be delighted Il
see the success of your plan. Abby is aus hap
ply as a queen. She has found two beaux here
my nephew Fred, and a friend OF his.
Fred seems Very much taken. I've no doub
he VIII cut your puppy quite out, and Abby
couldn I make better match: a good fellow
win a l1ttle fortune, and Tine prospects in his
Meanwhile, comfort yourself, Abby is heart
WHOLLY ours tfuiy ;s6 ever
The weather was bright for the next
three weeks. The skies seemed to smile
upon the spinstcr and her guests. They
took long walks, drives. excursions, anG
Fred. " as devoted to his aunt
Meanwhile Mr.. Frank Oakley did his
best to please Miss Abby, who did not
refuse to be pleased.
Don't stitk to me, Fred, if YOU want
to cut Frank out" Miss Hester would
sometimes whisper, but Fred always
answered that he felt well contented;
and on the whole Miss Barclay decided
that Abby was too frivolous for Fred.
But your friend is a good fellow. is
he notP' she asked You know Abby
is an my care" And Fred thereupon
swore that Frank was q gentleman and |
Z good fellow, well-to-dO also LAS |
good husband as any girl could have.
+ he does not lisp and blush" continued |
Fred. Don't trouble yourself. aunt;
1othing better could happen to Cousin
Abby than to marry Frank
tSIhen he really means tn OfferP',
Iueried Miss Barclay.
''Oh. he's desperate" answered Fred.
And that night another letter was
written to Cousin Elizabeth which con-
AIMED this sentence:
Now, Cousin Lizzie | am in a dilemma |
red and Abby not smitten with each Other |
IT. F rs hl 6a PIrought friend of his here,
III; Give me my Instructions Fred assures
ne ne Is an excellent match and good fellow,
, foster the affair or send him packing? All
your daughter, / await Instructions
now your temper, Elizabeth. We quarrelIed |
nee; don't let us do il again."
The answer was brief as telegram:
Any young man but that aetestabIe Francis
Foster it,
80 the young people were left to their
wn devices; the house rang with laugh
n, the orchard was robbed, the horses
rIven out for moonlight rides, the boat
as forever on the river, and the voice
the piano told the passers by that
MlssBarelay had company"
There We're parties at the old house.
%, and even old Isaac Barclay was
interested to sit up till nine
clock, and to tell very long story
lthout any end of visit he had once
ade Boston where he had his pocket
cked.
The pleasantest days that had ever
en- known at the Barclay mansion
IRE these, and they had been prolonr-
two months, and now Fred must 90
me-must indeed-nor could Frank
ger longer.
And | must go too. aunt said Alb
suppose | must, but | shall
yer forget this happy time, and =
mt yon to kiss me tonight and tell 4
you IL always love me, for you've
IN kinder than ever ma was to me-"
Abby said this late at night, sitting on
ow stool at Miss BARCLAYS feet. and
re were tears in her ewes. But next
rnlng when the confiding old lady
e, Sarah met her with an ominons
k. and the declaration that something
st have happened.
How you scare me, Sarah!'' cried
IS barclay. What can have hap
edP Brother Isaac is well. isn't heP''
He's well enough" replied Sarah.
1t Miss Abby amt been abed all
ht' and her trunk is gone. and here's
ote that lay on her piller'
Ilss Barclay seized the missive and
ned it with shaking hands 1t read
):
EARRsT AUNTIE,-Don't be angry. Re-
lpef your promise to love me always
N you read this shall be married / shall
RS Francis Oakley Cholmondly Fred js
X 8 best man, and little Lille Jones. from
'ilIage; my bridesmaid You see it, don't