The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-09-28
UNCLE AND NEPHEW.

"Well, girls. Oak Lawn has new
owner at last"
Mr.. Fairfax impaired this piece of in
eresting news as he reached for the
huge carving knife, and began vigor-
GUS assault>ona mammoth turkey, whose
brown body sent forth an appetizing
odor III sN .t
ooh, how perfectly splendid that will
bel" cried Miss Agnes, gushingly, as she
clasped her white hands in rapture.
cot course they are very rich, or they
could not afford to purchase Oak Lawn.
Mamma, we must call upon them as
soon as it is proper"
Certainly, love-" said mamma
YEARLY.
"Doyou suppose there will be any
young gentlemen, papa?" asked Mabel,
with counterfeit shyness.
"Or girs?" questioned Lille, before
Mr.. Fairfax could answer Mabel's ques-
ton. II do SO dote on dear girl friends,
and there are none in the village
whom I care to become intimate with"
"Humph| said Mr.. Fairfax, unfeel-
ingly;; ~ guess it wouldn't hurt you if
swell, think lisa downright shamel'
cried Pet, tossing her brown head indig-
nantly. "We've taken such comfort at
Oak Lawn-Rover and I, and now it's
sold just as spring is coming on. Papa,
ifWe're so much better and richer than
other folks, about here, why don't we
have q lawn of our own" ~
"We are not rich, puss," said Mr.. Fair
fax, fondly. SIN fact, it is hard strug-
gle for as to keep up appearance, as
mother calls it,
Philip, Pm surprised that you have
the indiscretion to speak in such way
in the presence of your daughte, s." said
Mrs. Fairfax, severely.
s"I know it's bitter pill, mother; but,
they'll have to t,ke it down one Of these
days, and they may as well be prepared
for it."
"Not necessarily" answered Mrs
Fairfax. "They may be all settled in
beautiful homes OF their own in less than
a year
"You'll have to be more successful
than You have ever been yet if they
are" he returned, good naturally. II
believe that YOU have been trying for
the last thirty years to get one of your
daughters married to a fortune, and"
"Oh, papa, how cruel of you'll" sobbed
Miss Agnes. Zone would think I was
80 old to hear you talk, and am sure l
won't be thirty for ever so many years."
"lf you can not keep track of the
children's ages, wish you would keep
silent about them," said Mrs. Fairfax
sternly.
Mr.. Fairfax fidgeted uneasily in his
chair; he was always getting into trouble
about the girls ages; but Pet usu lily
came to his assistance.
You say that Oak Lawn has been
sold, papa?" she said. "Tell US some
thing about the people who have bought
cine gentleman name is Dunlap.
He is a bachelor. and he writes that his
nephew will accompany him to Oak
Lawn" Ell 5
A bachelor did you say?" asked Mrs.
Fairfax. quickly. the cloud lifting from
her face and sudden hopeful express
ion coming in its place.
eyes," said Mr.. Fairfax, smiling:
s'and the nephew is bachelor, too. At
least he is unmarriedW
ooh, who cares for the nephew" ex-
claimed Mabel. "He doesn't own Oak
Lawn"
"Girls finish your dinner as soon as
possible and come into the back parlor,'
said Mrs. Fairfax, excitedly. II want
to talk over the matter with you and
plan some new spring suits for you.
Everything depends upon favorable
first impression, you know"
Mr.. Fairfax groaned audibly at the
prospect of three or four new spring
costumes and the attendant expense
He hoped in his utmost heart, t
his wife would be more fortunate this
time than in her former schemes, and
he was wicked enough to mutter that he
wished Mr.. Dunlap was Mormon, and
would marry the whole pack, with the
exception of little Pet /. He would like .
to keep her himself.
Meanwhile, Pet--who had once had
another name; but everybody even her.
self, seemed to have forgotten it-called
Rover, and away they went to have one
last good time in the beautiful lawn be-
fore those "horrid men, came to spoil
the fun. .'D 't-A
At length Mr.. Dunlap and his nephew
arrived, and we're duly introduced to
Mrs. Fairfax's charming circle of mar
riageable daughters.
They clustered about the elder Mr.
Dunlap in most bewildering manner.
That is, three of the Misses Fairfax; the
fourth, Miss Pct. was thoroughly DISCUS
ted With her sisters apparent lack Of
courtesy and good breeding, in leaving
the younger, and by far, the most gen.
tlemanly appearing Mr.. Dunlap to en-
terrain himself as best he might.
"Wouldn't you like to see my roses?"
asked Pet, of this forlorn gentleman,
while her cheeks burned with shame,
and her eyes were full of indignant
tears.
ITO think that mamma would act 80,
even if the girls are 80 anxious to secure
wealthy husband that they forget to be
decent in our own home!" thought Pet
savagely. II don't care. I'll entertain
him, and do hope he won't notice their
neglect!' @
a sudden light came into the young
mans eyes at Pets question, and he an.
swered quickly.
II should, indeed! I love roses dear
lyw
II suppose he's glad to get out of the
room. / am, at any rate" thought Pet.
"He's ever 30 much nicer thon his uncle,
ifhe isn't rich!
"There are my roses. Aren't they
lovely?" she asked, as she conducted her
protege to corner OF the garden where
several rose bushes were covered with
fragrant blossoms:
''BeautiIulW he exclaimed, enthusi-
astically, looking admiringly at-not the