Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-01-12

"Ill have look at her before | make
up my mind on the subject, said Uncle
Barnabas.
He was taken to call on Miss Vail,
and like most other gentlemen he event
down" at the first sparkle of her liquid
dark eyes.
"By Jupiter, Allan, you're right!'
said Uncle BarHabas. "She's the pret-
test girl ever saw in my life"
So the gay season went on. The
| clash of viols, comets and trombones
made musical answer TO the diapason OF
the waves; grim old dowages played
| cards; battered beaux smoked their eli
gars and strove to rejuvenate themselves
once more in the fragrance of the sea-
air, pretty girls hrted; handsome cava-
hers held fans and bouquets, and news
paper correspondents invented all sorts
of tact for the New York and Philadel-
phia daily press. And as time went by,
rumor gained eredence, to the effect
that Uncle Barnabas Brabazon was
ousting his nephew from the affections
of the beautiful Miss Vail.
"There!" said Mrs. Vail, her witch
like countenance assuming a radiant ex-
preston. Here it is in black and white.
An offer of marriage! My dear, you'll
be the richest woman south of Mason
and Dixon's line"
Adrienne, in a lovely dishabille of
white cashmere and rose-pink ribbons,
sat looking at the letter, with something
like dismay upon her countenance.
Write AMI accept him at once, +"
urged Mrs. Vail.
"What! that old man?'
"Old mani" screamed Mrs. Vail.
''The richest planter in louisiana Why,
child, every diamond that he wears is a
fortune in itself"
"But don't love him." pleaded Ad-
rienne, in low voice.
"Love-bahw screeched the old lady,
"what does love amount to? A little
sugar and honey, few sweetmeats, and
starvation for the rest of your life. l
made a love match, and see what
drudging career mine has been. Adri-
enne, don't be a fool! You will never
have such another chance RS this.
Still Adrienne hesitated,
Mamma" she said, 81 am engaged
to Allan, and love him. And / will
be his wifep'
"But, child, don't You see what ruin
that will bring upon us?" breathlessly
cried Mrs. Vail. "Allan hasn't penny
of his own, and if he offends his uncle
-"
"Be can work for living, mamma,
like other men,"
Woodwork for a living" snarled
the old lady, displaying a set of yellow
teeth that would have done credit to
hyena. "And you live in a fiat, and do
up your own laces in the wash-bowl to
save the laundress' bill, and turn your
own silk dresses, and darn your hus-
bands stockings, to tighten the expen-
ses-you, that have the chance to but
ton your gown with diamonds, and live
in palaceW
Mamma" cried Adrienne, "what
would life in palace be worth without
the man you love? 1 won't marry old
Mr.. Brabazon, and I will marry Allan,
if have to live in barracks with him,
or ride around the world in baggage
wagonl'
And this was the end of Miss Wallis
''mercenary" career. She wrote a reso-
lutte little note to Mr.. Brabazon, while
her mother indulsed in a good, old
fashioned fit of Mysteries. The note
was worded as follows:
81 like you very much, but I loved
Allan long before L ever saw you, and l
don't think I can be happy with any one
but Allan; so, if you please, Mr.. Braba-
zon, must decline your kind offer. And
pray-pray don't be any more angry than
you can help"
Mr.. Brabazon read the little, tear
stained note, and folding it grimly up,
went across to the hotel where his
nephew was staying.
"Well, lad," saia~he, 81 have offered
myself-myself, mind, the richest man
in Louisiana-to Adrienne Vail"
"Uncle!"
Allan started to his feet, turning alter
nately red and pale.
"And she has-refused mel"
The young man was deadly white
now. He scarcely new what he had
feared or hoped-he only felt the intense
relief of knowing that Adrienne was still
true to him.
"My own true love-" he muttered be-
tween his teeth; ''my little dark-eyed
jewel! If she had played me false, uncle,
L believe should have been tempted to
commit sulcidel"
"Umph-amph!" grunted Uncle Bar
ney. 'Love-love! How these young
people talkl And what, may venture
to ask, do you expect to live on?"
81 can work, Uncle Barney, for her
sske, - said Allan, bravely.
every WE'LL" said Uncle Barney.
'Let's go and tell her So"