Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-02-15

sir, that niece of mine. Plenty Of
good locks, but hasn't o sixpence--not
sixpence 10 bless herself with"
It was wonderful how the old house
was frightened up by the presence Of
its blithe young inmate. But by no
one was its pleasant influence more felt
than by the domestics. who had vowed
snch hostility before her arrival. The
old woman especially was devoted TO
her loving her for her own sake as
well rs for the kindly help and good
Offices she was always receiving from
the deft and willing hands Of the young
girl. In the store-room-that sacred
retreat which her foot was never TO in
vade--the latter was to be found on
company days" busy and happy as q
bee; with sleeves tucked half way up
her plump arms, her heavy Grape skirts
slowed away under one Of the old lady's
capacious holland aprons, and lappets
pinned high over her head, while, laugh
ing merrily at the queer figure she
made OF herself, she worked away at
the cakes and sweets, taking world of
trouble off the poor housekeeper's
hands.
"And SO thoughtful she is, and gay;
, bless her, his wife would tell old John.
"Shell come tripping up to me, and
Now, do as you're bid, she'll say play
fully, forcing me down into nv big
chair. Sit down and rest, there's an
old dear, and take your tea. I'm not
going to let you do a turn more And
then she'll work away, her tongue going
all the time as fast as her fingers; run
ming on about her mother and her home,
her flowers and pets, dogs and birds,
and what not, Int never word about
husband or married days. And il /
touch upon them, or ask question,
she'll get qnite silent and strange like in
o minute, and turn off the subject as If
it burned her. Perhaps for all she's so
merry on the outside she's fretting for
him that's gone, and can't a-bear to talk
of him."
"Nothing of the sort y cried old John.
"Dont you go to think such stuff. She'd
take husband tomorrow; mark my
words. And it's my opinion there's n
young gentleman comes to this house
that has q fairish chance. He's desper
ate sweet upon her. ! haven't eyes in
my head for nothing, and / sec plain
-I~ a..nS,,s a;s,itn him or bold herself
up distant from him, as she does from
others"
Old John was right. Matters we're in
due time so satisfactorily settled between
the young couple that an appeal to the
uncle was deemed expedient The old
gentleman received the announcement
with a half pleased, half-satirical grim
ace
"Hn, i thought sol" he muttered.
"But are you aware, my friend, that
there is no money in the case? The lady
hasn't sixpence, and"
81 know it, Indignantly interrupted
the suitor. "You have made that re-
mark before. I want no fortune with
my wife, my own being my love"
"Oh, spare your rapture, young sir.
Not 80 fast Don't be too sure Of the
prize for when you hear what have
to tell you there may be perhaps change
in your views. / have no time to 60
into the matter now; come tomorrow
and hear what will surprise you;" and
the old gentleman went off, nodding
back malevolently the lover fancied-
over his shoulder, and leaving the poor
fellow in state Of most uncomfortable
suspense and uncertainty.
What could this dark hint mean and
why was he not to make sure Could
it he possible there was any doubt, any
mystery as to the demise of the beloved
ones husband2 He could not help
calling to mind her confused and singu-
lar manner Mt times certain want Of
frankness On evident embarrassment ut
any allusion to tho past. The possibil-
ity of an obstacle made the young man
realize, as no had not before done, how
deeply his affections were engaged. He
spent miserable night, awaiting in vain
conjectures and sleepless anxiety the
tidings which the morrow might bring
forth.
| In order to explain matters il will be
necessary to go back for some months
previous TO the arrival of the young lady
at her uncle's house, as well as TO change
the scene from il to country cottage in
q remote part Of Erg.and--the home Of
the widowed sister of the eccentric bach
elor. In IL We find him pacing mp and
down the small drawing room and lis
tening 10 the querulous complaints that
its occupant, n confirmed invalid, is ut
tering from the sofa on which she lies.
"I think but little Of my bodily suffer
ings." she is saying; "they cannot now
last long. Every day I feel more plain
ly that the end is not far of, and my
doctor tells me the same. The distress
of mind that torments mo is what is 80
hard to bear"
"And what may this be about, II !
might ask ."
"The future of my child when am
uona All 7 have as you know. dies