The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-05
sive state toward the Major.

sive state toward the Major.
They are to be married next week.
and
what will become of the 'ancestor'sp'
interpolated the Major, in whom sur
prise seemed to have gotten the better
of habitual politeness.
tsOh, she has madearrangements with
Mr.. Grow about that"
Just like hert Dear, faithful girl"
The Major had all his life loved all
the sex-not one-and l was not to be
beguiled by this show of feeling.
''She had set her heart upon being
married in her grandmother wedding
gown"
''Old Mrs. Captain Simon? | remem-
Der her well. A mighty fine woman.
She would never have gone to the ends
of the earth with a missionary. It's the
craziest scheme | ever heard off,
began TO fear that | should never
get to my errand.
1T was put out on the grass to bleach
being a little yellow with age. 1t was
lovely embroidered India muslin that
the old Captain brought home from In
dia himself"
''How well | remember him in my
boyhood! Ajolly soul! A granddaughter
of his going off to the Cannibal Islands
to be eaten up by savagesi l won't have
itr'
''Her heart is set upon going" con-
tinued. The weddinggown was put
out to bleach, and this very afternoon
those little Berkshire pigs of yours
they are a nuisance to the whole neigh
borhood, Major-trampled and rooted
- 49, IL - i
Little black rascalsr' said the Ma
jor, with a chuckle behind his neck
cloth.
And l have come, without her.
knowledge, to tell YOU of it, because l
was sure that, under the circumstances,
q gentleman of your breeding ould feel
in honor bound to make some repara-
ton to Miss Lydia"
The Major unused and looked at his
boot for moment in silence.
miss Grace" he said at length, al
thank you for the service you have rem
dered me in this matter. VIII you have
the goodness to say to Miss Ludkins,
with my compliments, that shall do
myself the honor to wait upon her to-
morrow morning at ten o'clock, to adj
Just the unfortunate matter? beg in the
meantime that she will give herself as
little solicitude as possible, for though
cannot restore the ancient and venera-
ted dry goods, l will do the best that is
possible under the circumstances to
make the loss good"
He bowed over my hand and the au-
dlence was evidently concluded. Was
/ satisfied? No, indeed! What woman
would not have felt wronged to be left
at the cpd of mission of disinterested
beuevolence in such state of doubt and
as this? But was obliged to
go home nevertheless. and wait as pa
tiently as | could for the stroke of ten
next morning.
Glory had been in hearing when the
had been delivered to Miss
Lyddy and she too was on the watch.
At last she scudded in from the hedge,
her worries all a-glisten, and her eyes
vide open and full of rather iucom- |
mirth.
He's a-comin"' she said land such |
4 sighti'-
At that minute the gate clicked and |
Up the walk strobe indeed most aston |
shing figure. The Major had gotten |
himself up in a continental suit, which |
he must have Tished out of the unknown
fepths of the ancient attics at Hawthorn |
ieau; black velvet coat with lace ruff |
les at the wrist, knee breeches, white |
satin waistcoat, slippers with shoe
buckles, powdered wig and cocket hat
He was six feet tall, portiy and we'll |
ormed. and he looked every inch Sign
n of the Declaration at the very least
He was followed by his colored man, /
Who carried large brown paper par
eel.
He's come a-eourtin', missus," said |
Ilory, ~ye can see it in his face
L had not the instinct of GLORY, and
doubted; but what his errand was | was |
lying to know.
But he disappeared into Miss Lydia's
'arlor. and | was left outside 10 temper
ny Impotence as best could. Pres
ntly Glory entered on tip-toe.
''Missus, missus," she whispered. ''De
o's swung open Jess de Ieas' crack, an
Is jess opposite de big murror, an if We
ONE out here in de hall, ye can see it
ii in de mHrror as plain as day, an it's
heep better'n play"
1t was a temptation, but believe me,
ear reader, | resisted it. Only as Glory |
an back to her peepiBg, l followed to |
uH her away and send her out of doors
that was simply my duty-and there
q was full on his knees before her, and
he with that rapt seraphic look upon
er face which no woman ever wears
kept on the most vitality interesting
ccasions- But Glory disposed of,
rent back to my sewing and waited as
est l could the conclusion of the mo-
lentous interview. The Major came
ut at length, as smiling as May morn
lg, leaving the brown paper parcel be-
ind him.
1t was very still in Miss Lvdia's room