Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-06-23
"Oh, Bessie" she cried; show dared

COuHtGI- QuCsllOutO OcsolC, COHpOScuiy.
It's some tramp or other who don't
know that the house is let. think,
Eo, we must have a dog if we intend
to live here alone"
"But, Bessie, suppose he should come
backp'
"Well, suppose he should" said Bes-
sic.
"And insist on coming in" faItered
Eolia.
Bessie laughed. az should point the
bed key at him." said she, "and he
would believe it was a pistol, and take
madly to his heelsl Dear little Eo,
don't be SO easily frightened. Believe
me, we have seen the last of our
tramp"
Half an hour afterward Mrs. Chubb
came plodding over the sands and
plunged into the sitting room, like
some rubicund monster of the deep.
Eolia looked up from her knitting, and
Bessie set forward a chair.
"Well," painted Mrs. Chubb, 81 have
done it noww
HAS anything happened p said Bes-
sic.
1--WE LET the house when 1t was let
already" said Mrs. Chubb, still breath
ing very hard. "0h, dear! On, dearl
And you young ladies will have to
clear out, bag and baggage, tomorrow
morningl"
"What2 p cried Bessie.
"Impossiblep echoed Eolia.
"But we have rented the house for
year" argued Bessie.
az can't help that" SMILED Mrs.
Chubb. at seems that the New York
agent let it on Monday to gentleman,
and you took it Of me on Tuesday.
and"
what is the gentleman's name ?" ask
ed Bessie.
'Lilburne," Mrs. Chubb answered,
Captain Adam Lilburne."
oh" said Bessie, with the calmness
of desperation, "I've just turned him
out of Doors"
And then. to Mrs. Chuobs infinite
amazement, she burst out laughing.
The next morning when she unbolt-
ed the big front door and went out,
there on the steps sat respectable
man servant in black, guarding a pile
Of trunks. She looked at him for a
moment; he touched his hat
Good morning miss" he said, re-
spectfully.
Good morning." said Bessie. "i
suppose you are Captain Lllburne's
man ="
Eyes, miss" again touching his hat.
where's your master?' she asked.
"He slept at the farm last night,
miss And the missis, she's coming
down by the noon train. There's the
captain now"
Bessie valiantly advanced to meet
a tall, handsome, sun-browned man in
suit Of navy-blue flannel, carelessly
belted around the waist.
"You are Captain Lilburne, sup
pose," said she. Il am sorry | be-
haved so rudely last night. But the
truth is, it was dark, and we girls were
all alone i'll the house, and and |
took you for trsmpw
Captain Lilburne raised his hat, his
black eyes sparkled like wells of
amused light
The mistake, although not fatter-
ing 20 me, was altogether natural, =
said he.
I'VE are in your house, it seems, 2
said she, abruptly.
well, it has rather that appear
ance," said the captain.
And we supposed that we had, at
least, n home for the summer" added
Bessie, regretfully.
pm very sorry, I'm sure" hesitated
the Captain.
Nov see here" said Bessie, 1--WE d
proposition to make. There's plenty
Of room in the house. Suppose you
and your wife take us to board; or sup
pose we take your"
The captain smiled.
Unfortunately, said he, 81 have
no wife. The Mrs. Lilburne who is
coming down is my mother"
Bessie colored scarlet, but she stood
bravely to her guns.
"All the same" said she, 81 don't
like TO be turned out Of doors My sis
ter isn't strong, and the doctor pre-
scribed sea air aud"
"Pray do not say another word, said
Captain Lllburne courteoasly. "As
YOU remark, the house is large. |
hope you will consider the west wing,
which you are now occupying, entirely
At your service"
But | couldn't remain there unless
you will allow me to pay rent, pleaded
Bessie.
Merry well, says Captain Lilburne,
then you may pay rent"
So il was settled. Mrs. Lilburne, n
mild, rosy cheeked ola lady, came
down mt noon and was delighted with
her sons bargain.
"There are no ghosts in the house,
hope" said she, half laughing.
"No," said the Captain. But there
are two young ladies, one of whom, a
charming vixen, refused me admit
lance last night; but [ don't blame her,
either-I took her for old Mother
Chubb's daughter-and she, very nat
urally supposed that was tramp"
as she pretty2p artfully demanded
the old lady.
Very" says Captain Lilburne.
So Bessie and Eolia Bolton spent that
long, bright, sultry summer ut the sea-
And old Mrs. Lilburne grew very fond
of them in her quiet way.
adam" she said, when the October
tides were creeping softly over the
ribbed sea sands, Il shall be very sorry
when these girls 60 away"
"Shall you, mother?" he said
''fhey are the sweetest, frankest.
least affected girls that ever saw !"
she declared.
Il quite agree with you there" said
the captain.
adam" after a little pause,
well. mother"
would you think me very foolish" "
she faltered, ''if-if adopted that pref
ty, pale little Eohs for my OWN"
Captain Lilburne's fac, frightened.
Dear mother" said he, 81 shall be de
lighted, especially as | mean to adopt
Bessie for my own =
Captain Lilburne was married to
Bessie Bolton at Christmas, and Eolia
IL living with he mild old lady, in a
daughters place.
And all this happiness" softly said
Eolia, came from our summer by the
sea-
Bloody Bear Fight.