The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-03
THE DAILY ARGUS.

Meanwhile Mr.. Frank Oakley did his
best to please Miss Abby, who did not
refuse to be pleased.
Don't stick to me, Fred. if YOU want
to cut Frank OUT Miss Hester would
sometimes whisper, but Fred always
answered that he felt well contentetl:
and on the whole Miss Barclay decided
that Abby was too frivolous for Fred
But your friend is a good fellow, is
he not?' she asked. you know Abby
is in my care And Fred thereupon
swore that Frank was gentleman and
n good fellow. well-to-do also. AS
good husband as any girl could have.
il he does not lisp and blush. continued
Fred. Don't trouble yourself. aunt;
nothing better could happen to Cousin
Abby than to marry Frank"
Then he really means to offerp'
queried bliss Barclay.
'.Oh. he's desperate" answered Fred.
And that night another letter was
written 10 Cousin Elizabeth which con-
tanned this sentence:
Now, Cousin Lizzie, ! am in a dilemma
Fred and Abby are not smitten with each other
but Fred has brought friend of his here, a
Mr. Frank Oakley who is making love to your
girl Give me my instructions. Fred assures
me he is an excellent match and good fellow.
and consider him most agreeable. But am
10y is your daughter / await Instructions. I
know your temper, Elizabeth. We quarreled
once; don't let us do it again
The answer was brief as telegram:
ANY young man but that detestable Francis
Cholmondly. Foster IT.
So the young people were left to their
own devices; the house rang with laugh
ter, the orchard was robbed, the horses
driven out for moonlight rides, the boat
was forever on the river, and the voice
of the piano told the passers by that
80 MissBarclay had company"
There were parties at the old house,
too, and even old Isaac Barclay was
sufficiently interested to sit up till nine
O'Clock, and to tell very long story
without any end of visit he had once
made Boston where he had his pocket
picked.
The pleasantest days that had ever
been known at the Barclay mansion
were these, and they had been prolong-
ed two months, and now Fred must go
home-must indeed-nor could Frank
linger longer.
s.And / must go too, aunt" said Alb
by. Il suppose i must, but [ shall
never forget this happy time, and I
want you to kiss me tonight and tell
me you'll always love me, for you've
been kinder than ever ma was to me-
Abby said this late at night, sitting on
a low stool at Miss Barclays feet, and
there were tears in her eyes. But next
morning when the confiding old lady
rose, Sarah met her with an ominous
look, and the declaration that something
must have happened.
How YOU scare me, Sarah cried
Miss Barclay. what can have hap
pened? Brother Isaac is WE'LL isn't he?"
He's well enough replied Sarah.
But Miss Abby amt been abed all
night, and her trunk is gone. and here 5
a note that lay on her piller."
Miss Barclay seized the missive and
opened it with shaking hands. 1t read
thus:
DEAREST AUNTIE,-Dont be angry. Re
member your promise to love me always.
When you read this shall be married. ] shall
be Mrs. Francis Oakley Choimondly. Fred is
Franks best man, and little Lille Jones, from
the village, my bridesmaid You see it, don't
you? Fred was in the plot, and he introduced
Frank Oakley to you. You never guessed that
Oakley only his middle name. We hated
to deceive you. You were so good we all adore
YOU but ma was cruel. and I'm of age since
last week I'm very happy, only if You don I
will have to, after awhile.-Your atfectiOnate
niece. ABBY.
mo must write it all
ABBY CHOLMONDLY."
II shall dier' screamed Miss Barclay.
I'D rather, than face Elizabeth"
But she did not; nobody did. Every
body is alive and well at this moment,
and even his prejudiced mother-in-law
hoe aoma to admit that Frank is not so