The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-11-30
MR.. FARQUHAR'S NIECE,

when he wrote to inform her that he
was making short stay there, en- route
to his native country. The fact WAS that
he had never set eyes on the young lady
having been absent in India for twenty
years, and consequently he did not feel
much personal interest in her. But he
had generously paid for her education and
maintenance since she had lost her
parents, and was prepared to make a
home for her on his arrival in@England;
therefore he had written her kind let
ter to announce his return.
But he was very much surprised and
somewhat disconnected when, two days
later, he was informed, Oh reaching his
hotel after an evening stroll on the
boulevards, that a young lady who had
just arrived from England was awaiting
him in the salon, and before be had re.
covered from his establishment he found
himself in the presence of his niece,
who greeted him afectionately, and du.
tifully held up remarkably pretty face
to be kissed.
"Pon my word, my DEAR" said old
Mr.. Farquhar, after availing himself Of
the privilege, 'your arrival is quite a
surprise to me. should certainly have
met you at the station had I known you
were coming"
Il thought you would be surprised,
UNCLE" said the Young lady, blushing.
1.-THE fact was, my friends, Mr.. and Mrs.
Howard, were coming over to-day, and
awaited myself of their escort. Other
wise l should not have come for day,
or two, or ut all events not until had
answered your letter"
Mr.. Farquhar was on the point of say
ing that he did not recollect anything in
his letter which could DO constructed in
toaninyltation, but being kind hearted,
susceptible old gentleman, he RETAINED.
The truth was he was very much struck
by his niece's prepossessing appearance.
He possessed a photograph Of her taken
some years back, which had given him a
very inadequate idea of her attractions,
though it must be- owned that he had
not examined it very attentively. He
regretted now, as he gazed with undis.
guised admiration upon the young lady,
fair face, tall, graceful figure, and f ank
blue eyes, That he bad banked himself
Of the pleasure Of anticipating charm =
ming creature.
II hope youare notangry with me,
uncle, for arrivingso unceremoniously,"
said his niece, interrupting his reverie.
"Angry! my dear child. On the con-
trary, delghted" said Mr.. Farquhar,
heartily. Hi, waiter. Tell the cham
bermaid-femme de chambre, you know
to conduct this lady to room near
mine. And, bless my soul, you must be
hungry, my dear. Dinner, waiter, d.
rectly."
While his niece WAS making the neces-
sary alterations in her toilet, Mr.. Far
quhar superintendent the details of q
dainty little rcpast, which the young
lady found awaiting her when she came
down. The old gentleman WAS more de-
lighted than ever with his niece's ap-
pearance when he beheld her divestetl
OF her hat and travelling attire, and could
hardly take his eyes of her. In fact, adj
miration and establishment rendered
him strangely silent, and as the young
lady was evidently fatigued after her
journey, their conversation was not of a
very confdentialnature.
"Now, my dear, if you are tired, don't
hesitate to 60 TO YOU room,' said Mr..
Farquhar, noticing at length his niece's
fatigue. "You mustn't spoil your roses,
Ada, and We have a lot ofsightseeing be-
fore u.s.
'"Thank you UNCLE" said the young
lady, risin! from the table; "but my
name is Amy, you know; not Ada"
Amy, to be sure. | was thinking it
was Ada" replied Mr.. Farquhar, in
some confusion: and having submitted
with good grace to another dutifnl sa-
lutte, he opened the door for her, and
made his way to the smoking. room to
discuss a cheroot before turning in.
1t was astonishing what an exhilara
ting effect the arrival,of his niece had up
on the old gentleman. He felt quite
young and jaunty at the prospect of hav-
ing to escort pretty girl aboutto see
the streets of Paris. He was up betimes
the next morning and dressed himse If
with special care He even made pill
grimage to the Madeline market to pur-
chase a flower for his buttonhole, not
forgetting also very elegant little bo-
Quet, which he placed by the side of his
neice's plate.
Miss Amy came down to breakfast
looking fresh and rosy, and charming
after her nights rest. She went into
eCstacies over thebOquet which her uncle
had provided, and insisted upon giving
him an Extra kiss for bis attention She
laughed and talked gayly during the
meal and Mr.. Farquhar learned a
great deal Of news about members ofthe
family whom he did not recollect ever
having heard of. But the fact was that
be had paid very little attention to what
his niece was saying, being absorbed in
watching her and listening to her mu-
steal voice. His niece had fairly be-
witched him, and it only dawned upon
the old gentleman that he had lapsed
INTO a stupetied silence when the young
lady in her turn, suddenly left off talking.
Then he awoke to the fact that his niece
was showing sym ptome of Embarrassment
and that bright flush of color was
mounting to her cheek. At first Mr..
FarQuhar was afraid he had omitted to
reply to some remark which needed an
answer. He soon perceived, however,
that his niece g eyes we're turned
anxiously toward another part of the
room, and, following the direction
Of her startled gaze, he beheld
a tall, military-looking gentleman, el.
derby, but still handsome, with an iron.
gray moustache. who was just taking his
seat near them. Mr.. Farquhar exper-
fenced will unreasoning pang Of jeal-
ously, but observing that the stranger
seated himself unconcernedly at table,
with bis back to them, his suspicious
we're ailayed.
"What is the matter, my dear?" he in
quired, turning to his niece.
"Nothing," she replied, with start;
lat least, nothing serious she added,
becoming very pale, and casting q fright
ened glance at her uncle. II feel lit.
lie faint, that is all, perhaps you will ex-
cllse me for moment"
With these hurried words the young
dy rose, and vanished from the room
before her uncle could interfere. The
old gentleman was quite startled
by her abrupt departure, and after
ten minutes interval he sent up to
inquire what was the matter with her
\ chambermaid brought down word
that bis niece had headache, and pro-
posed to lie down for an hour. Relieved
ny this report, Mr.. Far9uhar finished
lis breakfast and strolled into the court
yard to smoke.
After lounging about for nearly two
hours Mr.. Farquhar sent again to inquire
liter his niece. This time came u mes
age requesting him not to wait for her,
che C;I MT fool ,uo1l oro,,ob IN n