The National tribune., 1882-09-16

and his three sisters-in-law were selfish, az
rogant, and domineering. He had been
quite aware that he was little more than a
prisoner of state in his own house he had
even formed some vague idea that Arabella,
the youngest and least hard-favored of the
three, had designs On his heart. As far as
he was personally concerned, it mattered
not one straw. But now that innocent,
dewy-eyed Jetty had been thus ruthlessy
| attacked, things assumed quite different
aspect. He looked down upon the sweet,
blushing face; he took both the little hands
in his.
"Jetty," said he, this is an uneven bat
| tie. One widow and three resOlute spinsters
| against an unprotected specimen of the genus
homo. Yet L think if 1 had an efficient
lieutenant 1 could defeat the enemy yet.
viii you join the ranks?"
"I-I don't think 1 understand you,1
| faltered Jetty.
"You are eighteen, am thirty" he went
on; "and yet, Jetty, 1 feel young enough
| in my heart to be your match. Dear little
Jetty, will you be my wife? Do you love
me, Jetty?"
| And Jetty bravely answered:
ayes, L will be your wife, Mr.. Charters.
do love you, and" she added artlessly, Il
have loved you ever since L first came home
from school and met you at the Sunday
School picnic under the maple trees"
K
| Mrs. Copman and her three daughters had
gone to New York to order their spring
wardrObes charged to Mr. Charteris's ac-
count, of course-and it was late on the
afternoon of the third day of their absence
when they returned, cross, irritable, and
tlred-Mari0n shade redder-nosed than
usual, Arabella more pettish, Melicent more
blowsy and coarse.
To their amazement and Indignation the
sound of one of Schubert's nocturnes hoated
out from the parler windows as they ad-
vanced.
Who is presuming to play on our pianol"
said Mrs. Copman, in a rage
And the windows are open, too-fading
the parlor carpet!" Miss Melicent screamed.
'As sure as you live, mamma" gasped
Arabella, "it's that bold parsons daughter,
Jetty Lane"
The impudence of some people," cried
Marion, "when mamma as good as ordered
her off the premises not month ago.
Henry" said Mrs, Copman, angrily, as
she caught sight of her son-in-law serenely
smoking cigar, just inside of the easement,
why is it that the carriage was not sent to
meet US? Why are we compelled to walk
all the way from the depot in this broiling
heat? And what is that young woman here
fOr?" as she caught sight of Jetty's white
dress in the background of the large, dim
room.
The carriage was not sent for you," said
Mr.. Charters, calmly, because Mrs. Char
teris was using it."
Mrs. Charteris!" gasped the widow,
dropping at least half dozen of her parcels
in the path, while Henry led forward the
lovely young bride, all in white, with cheeks
like pale roses.
Mrs. Charteris, he repeated, "my wifel
Let me present you and the Misses Copman
to her"
| n,
for of course Mrs Copman and her daughters
were too high-spirited to remain under the
same roof with such dimpled and lovely
young usurper. And they removed all that
belonged to them-and good deal that
didn't-from the house the next day in high
dudgeon.
To think what fools men are" said the
widow; when dear Henry was so comfort
able to me and the three girlsn
But apparently dear Henry was of quite
another way of thinking, for, as he stood
with Jetty on the terrace, watching the car
riage drive away which contained the widow
and her three daughters, he said:
MY dear, feel as if nightmare were
lifted off my life. And now-now we can
begin to be happy.