The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-06-02

i ga about ner she rsfssg 81 'flicss Same
person for the description be gave s. tai
lies exactly. Let's see: graceful form,
milk and roses. con. ,leSion. hIl,e EYES
and loyeis golden clrIs o1lk size Ne as
golden braitis. now that Guy isn't here
expect the curls made her look
younger; but IN spite of beauty can
| always see beneath the surface, and this
very charming Bernfce hasn't lost her
heart; and yet my misguided son thinks
she loves him.
| The next day Mr.. Welton renewed
this chance acquaintance BIZ calling on
some pfsataNf 1T the cottage.
| She is Lind to her invalid mother II
she is an accomplished coquette,s lie
| unused. rs ise wendell his way home-
| ward. 'tS,.e is the Beffllcss Melrose,
sure enough, for her mother called her
that; and | wonder who Burnie is,
whom the old lady was wishing fory'.
Now that Mr.. Welten had begun the
siege he kept it up in real earnest; and
by and by he was an almost daily visi-
| tor at the cottage. seq
I'm half tempted to fall in love with
her myself he thought; ..but it is too
bad for Guy, he seemed SO much in
earnest; yet It is better for him to have
his eyes opened before it is too late. = 8
What an agreeable person Mr.. Estey
10! And he reminds me SO much of Guy
said Bernice, in contemp plating her adj
mirer.
Nearly month had elapsed before
MIR. Welton had matured the plans he
had laid to prove the unworthiness of
Guys affianced. rs - -. s.
ST Il write her proposal of marriage,
and her answer shall be the convincing
proof | will take to Guy All, women
are tickle creaturesn he sighed, as he
sealed note to Bernice.
It was with some impotence that he
awaited her answer; but he had not
very long TO wait, for soon it came in
dainty pale blue envelope, which he
hastily opened and read
DEAR MR. EsrEy The avowal contained
in your note surprises while ft pleases me, and
If yoH love the undersigned as truly you
profess, she win be only too happy TO accept
the honor you have offered her. Aa ~
Yours wholly. BERNICE MELRosE.
sP. S. have an explanation to make which
sincerely trust win not change your regard
s.WeH, welH What shall I do nowp
III Cur were not my only child I would
just drop the matter where it u.s. for
knowing as do the treaehery of Ber-
nice, would give as much as Guy to
tICCk tkistb ShC 10 atOIfEs6. 15UN #CCA
tain she is older than Guy, and should
make more suitable husband for her.
But won't 4narry any one who would
deceive my boy; 50. 4Bernice, you have
lost both of u.s. 1ss gszsA8
Mr.. Welton wrote to Guy, saying he
would leave for home next day, and
that he was sorry for him; he would ex-
plain when he got home He must call
and tell Berniee who he was, and then
she would understand why he went
away. A s
Very beautiful was Berniee Meirose
when she received Mr.. Welton that eve
ming. and she DIDN'T look like q deceit
full person IN her white dress and violet
ribbons. And who was the lovely girl
with her, who was@the exact counter
part of herself, only so much younger
child almost in years?s
While Mr.. Welton was coniecturing
as to the identity of the beautiful Great
ure with golden curls, Bernice said
sweetly,- .zsssssss 5ss.sss
MIR. Estey, allow me to present to
You my daughter. Burnie, this is Mr..
Estey, about whom I have spoken to
you-f $50 s.
know you had child; but allow me to
gazed in admiration at the dainty girl
before him. s
81 am Mrs. Bernice Melrose, and this
is Miss Bernice Melrose. When you
called me Miss Melrose, ] thought it
would be amusing to have you think /
was Young lady instead of q widow;
but had dreamed of what know now
I should have unaeceived you before
Nothing you would do wonld dis.
please me; and as have deceived you,
we are quits. I am Guy Welton' faith
err, and when gave you the wrong card
that day / thought I~Would enjoy lit
tie masquerade while getting acquaint-
ed with Guys friends.
1T must have been a diamond cut
diamond affair. then. said Burrie, who
until now had been mute listener.
..And you are the very dear friend of
my sonp Ii You are willing to have me
for father, Bernie, | am more than
pleased to have such lovely girl for
my daughter?n 4z4s 49,
to Guy soliloqnized Mr. Welton on
his way to his boarding house that eve
ming. s.What q sinipleton / was to
doubt my Bernice; but love and suspic-
ion go hand in hand.
There was q sort of worried air about
Guy next day when his father greeted
him.
well, suppose il is settled to your
SATISFACTION. Is she what you expectedP'
asked Guy, impatiently.
..Ahemi No, not precisely. You see,
Guy. you see-or rather the plain facts
of the case are, she is a great deal more
than expected, and am engaged to
her mother, and it all came about in this
way. [ struck chance acquaintance
with Bernice Melrose Your Bernie, I
thought and kept up a lively fiirta-
ton until we got engaged; then she pre-
sented to me the sweetest girl in Chris
tendon rs her daughter, Bernice Mel
rose. And now, Guy. the house is
yours-that is, if you win take me for q
father-in-law.
I'm astonishedi But to fall in love
with persons named Bernice Melrose
seems TO be family failing, SO we had
better shake hands on the subject
s.Say family blessing, rather" inter-
posed Mr.. Welton.
Farther gone than amr' comment
ed Guy, sagely, while a hearty hand
shake ended the vexing snbject-name-
~, Bernice Melrose.