Daily Republican., 1882-01-13
THE WISER CHOICE.

| LIZ W ltLlb OuOIOLs
III wonder what Uncle Hugh will say
when he hears thai Lambert and are
engaged" Laura Earle looks up, as
she speaks, from the scented note she
has been perusing, which begins,
"My adored Laura and ends with
"lours till death"
"Say? What can he say to object? OF
course he will be proud to have his
niece marry into 50 aristocratic a FAM
w." Mrs. Earle replies, in her usual
naughty tone.
al am not sure about that, mamma,
you know that Uncle Hugh is queer and
old fashioned, and | don't believe he
liked the cool way | treated that favor
ite of his-that young Lesley"
Nonsense, Laura; your uncle only
likes Mr.. Lesley, as one man likes an
other " HON he has beiriended. | can't
imagine for a moment he could suppose
that my daughter coulG ever think of a
CARPENTER
"Well, I'm sure hope that you are
right, for Madam Banchard's charges
are pretty high, and | expect he'll
give me the money Tor my trous-
seau"
The bells ring, and servant enters
the bouloir where the ladies' are seated,
to tell them that Mr.. Hugh Fielding
awaits them in the parlOr.
Laura was right in her intutive feel
ing that her "old- fashioned" uncl.
would not look with any great favor
upon her alliance with Lambert Rod
ney. He does not sCruple to speak his
thoughts.
"Humph niece Laura, 80 you are
going to throw yourself away upon that
young fop, when YOU might once have
had such a man as Burt Lesley"
Hugh eXclaimS his sister, "you are
MT serious! Why, when Mr.. Lesley,
called on Laura; telt that it was
great piece OF presumption, and We soon
showed him that we thought So"
'PresnmptioL. Well, well, we won't
quarrel, Laura's engaged, and sup-
pose all I've got to do is to put my hand
in my pocket, but let me tell you, Maria,
that though my young friend, Lesley, is
poor, and as you so sCUrnfully say, "A
some day Laura will be sor
ry that she lost the opportunity of win
ming such IL hushand-fOr it was easy
to see, when | introduced him to heI
he was very much attracted. | mean
it when | say, "that an honest man is
Gods II blest work, 'and that such a
man, be he rich or poorly born, can
raise himself by his own power Of brain
into the highest position III our land
even to the Presidential chair"
The old gentleman suddenly stops, he
detects the vailed expression in his
niece's brilliant eyes, and sees that his
words are. only being wasted.
After little while hs rises to 90.
"Well, Maria, here's the money for
the wedding things. I'm sorry | cant
Laura upon her choice"
With these abrupt words Uncle Hugh
takes his leave.
Laura opens the package, and a
curl of the hips shows that she is not
pleased.
Five hundred dollars Why, mama,
t will only get my wedding dress. |
lidu't think Uncle Hugh would b. 80
mean
Never mind, Laura. When you
ire Lambert Rodney's wife you will ne
yer know the need Of money"
Let us follow Uncle Hugh as he walks
quickly along, ,trlking his gold headed |
,ane now and then upon the pavement |
and humming softly To himself.
he comes TO neat cottage in a |
Iuiet street ami then enter. unannoun-
ed.
"Ah, brother Hugh, how glad | am
o see you after all these months We
AVE missed you so much.
"Ive only just returned from my
rip, JaNe,' he says, as he presses a
Kiss upon the smooth, placid brow of
lis sister.
Then they seat themselves, and Hugh
ellis her all that has happened since
hey last met.
Suddenly fresh young voice rings
trough tie hall
'l'm Ger young to marry yet"
nd, 80 singing, a bright, beautiful girl
ounds into the room.
1t is Jane, Uncle Hugh's favorite
iece.
He strokesback the soft hair which
raves and ripples wilfully around the
wect face.
$50 you are DER, young are you,
title one? You are not like your cousin
aura, then, for she's woed and won al
eady."
Then he tells them of Laura's engage.
lent
How foolish of Maria" exclaimed
lrs. Fairleigb, Ito allow Laura to put
or lte's happiness in that shall.w.
raiDed youths keeping! How thank \
Il | should be that my little Jane has Il
nosen one who l know has the fear of e
cd in his heart"
Jane covers her face with her hands
, hide its tell tale expression, as he.l
ncle draws her to him.
$50! so! ! 60 way for six months,
i'd come back to find both my nieces 81
gagged to be married! Who is the +
Icky man that is to have our little IL
ine?" a
"You will be surprised Hugh, and :
now glad TO hear that it is your friend v
r. Lesley. He has told me that when u
, first met Laura his fancy was "
uched by her handsome face and fast.
sting manners, but the moment he
w our Jane his heart went right out
his keeping" said Mrs Farleigh.
$50 little Jane is to be Burt Lesley p
ide? A carpenters wife--surrly, SIS pl
L, you are not looking very high" I
Jane lifts her eyes with en- incredu- n
US lock to her uncle's face; bat she BIZ
on sees that he IL only trying to tease ell
n. n
L. n ~, a., I'll