The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-04-15

her heart were deep and silent, but il
touched them both deeply, and they said
good night at last. with an eloquent look
into each others faces.
Tie next afternoon the city guests ar
rived. They were q little shocked to
find Aunt Wealthy pale, feeble little
woman, with smile sweet as peace
| itself.
"Well, she isn't bit disagreeable,
| that's one comfort" Portia remarked in
q more Modified tone than she had used
since the commencement of the journey.
.sShe's as sweet as can be, and it just
breaks my heart to think OF her being so
old and lonely" said Lefty. "But isn't
| it Just lovely here, Portia?'
It's poky, to me-" responded Portia,
everely.
She had no taste for the quaint house;
she did not love nature. Portia would
not, perhaps could not, be genial But
Lefty was as bird let loose. She was
| not by nature artificial or conventional,
and she delighted in the home comforts,
the freshness and freedom of life at the
Slopes. She was everywhere, as busy as
bee. She hunted eggs, shelled peas,
picked currants, and made jelly. In the
suItry afternoons she coaxed Frank
Imbert land it did not take much coax
ing from such rosy lips) to wheel Aunt
Wea1thy's lounge out upon the broad
porch where she spent long afternoons
reading to her, and shared her FIVE
o'clock tea and toast, since Purtia spent
her afternoons on the bed reading novels
Mrs. Coles was very glad of this, for she
was not herself as we'll as usual that sum-
mer, and it seemed as If the object of
their visit would fall through if it were
not for Lefty. For once her youngest
daughter was in high favor.
She is the most perfectly beautiful
young creature ever saw, she said to
Frank Imbert. But Frank did not seem
to share in her admiration. He looked
at Portia with Indifferent, critical eyes,
which softened with approval when they
rested upon Lefty. Aunt Wealthy could
not believe any young man could see
Portia Coles and not fall in love with
her.
One day, after Mrs Coles, in her
eldest daughters absence, had been tell
ing of that young ladys conquest the
previous season, Aunt Wealthy said TO
Frank:
ssIf you admire Portia as much as
tUOSG OtuCLS, RGLn6RO~-Ab III OO.
He only shook his head, and, rising,
filed with the pretty dishes she particu-
pale tea color, with wild pink roses on
them, and little plates similarly tinted,
and with scalloped edges.
"You are looking tired-have cup of
tea with me, Frank, said Aunt Wealthy;
4 u.
tie three-legged table and ate toast and
ounce marmalade, while the tame rob-
ins hoped around, waiting for the
crumbs. 1t was happy scene; but
Mrs. Coles, coming up the garden with
Portia, surveyed it with disapproving
eyes.
"H Lefty prefers an early tea with
Aunt Wealthy to her regular supper, of
course I am perfectly willing; but /
think your aunt makes altogether too
much of that young man. Who is he?"
And Mrs Coles held her head very high.
Hes Aunt Wealthy's right-hahd
man; and he is good looking and sensi-
BILE, you must allow, mamms," replied
Portia, serenely.
ssAunt Wealthy is bound to leave her
money in her own family" remarked
MIS- SOlSS, aIt6E % IuOiuGut TdbHcI
anxious thought.
I don't know what else happened that
evening, after Lefty had gone down into
the garden to get some caraway seeds for
Aunt Wealthy, and Frank Imbert had
gone to show her where they were, but
the next day Frank had something to tell
Aunt Wealthy which made her pale
cheek flush with delighted surprise.
81 am very much pleased. But keep
your secret, both of you, for the present,
she said.
A few nights later, without warning,
Aunt Wealthy died SO peacefully, and
lay so TRANQUILITY at rest, that those who
loved her best could not wish her to re-
turn to the pain she had suffered patient
ly so long.
ssOf course it's sreat affection, re-
marked Mrs. Coles; "but don't cry SO
much, Lefty; it makes your eyes red"
Then came the search for the will; but
no will could be found-nothing but
little note among the tea-colored cups
and saucers:
.'This service of delf bequeath to my
dear niece, Lefty. WEALTHY DALE"
"Incredibler' cried Mrs. Coles; but
Lefty said:
s'I've had the happiest hours of my
life over these little cups. I am so glad
she gave them to me-.
She packed them away with the great
est care, while others ransacked the
house from garret to cellar. But no
will could be found and nobody could
take possession of the Slopes without
great deal of litigation; so Frank Imbert
continued to carry on the farming, and
the Coles went back to their city home,
Portia in high tdudgeon at the failure
of the whole thing, and Mrs. Coles de-
jected to tears.
.You must make sure of Ned Dudley
this winter, if you can, Portia; but how
Tm to get you respectfully married,
don't know. I've had all my wedding
things made over for you already. While
Lefty"
's0h, I'll do very well, mamma; don't
worry about me- said Lefty, with
blush.
By and by Mrs. Coles suspected the
truth, and said:
LEFTY, if there is anything between
you and Frank Imbert am willing you
should marry him, for he's very re-
spectacle young man, and we are as poor
as church MICE"
Then Lefty bravely confessed the
truth, and there was quiet wedding In
Cherryyille church in less than month,
and Lefty went to the Slopes to live
with Frank Imbert. And then she must
have her first tea from Aunt Wealthy's
pretty delf, which was now hers.
why, what is this in the sugar bowl,
Frank?' and what was it but Aunt
Wealthy's will:
ST give and bequeath the Slopes, and
all other of my possessions, without
limit or reserve, to my niece, Lefty