Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-02-13

we have no income, and 1t is imperative
ly necessary that the tradesman's bill
must be met. We are ladies, mamms
and | And"
at is no discredit to ladies to study
their self respect by earning an honest
livelihood" said the gentleman quietly
"My opinion exactly" says libby
"But," remembering her dignity. 81
don't know why you should be so inter.
ested in our affairs"
libby tried to look very frozen in
deed
because" said the gentleman, 81
am your Cousin Falconer."
The rosy blood mounted to the very
roots Of the girls hair. Invouluntarily
she started.
"Yes," he said smiling composedly,
II came TO the north to find YOU out and
acquaint myself with the true character
Of my unknown relatives. To my sur
prise | accidently learned that the name
of my landladies was Wayne. | had ex-
pected to find you languid, fine ladies,
without and idea beyond dress and fash
ion. On the contrary, discover that
you have spirit, energy, noble indepen-
dence. | don't know whether to con-
gratulate you or myself the most"
And Tibby, poor child, for her part,
did not know whether to smile or burst
into tears.
This, then, was her Cousin Falconer
the southern planter, whose unknown
personality had always been the beau
ideal of her mothers words and thoughts
the cold, courteous gentleman, whom
she had taught herself to hate. But do
what she could, it was not possible to
hate him any longer.
"You are my cousin" said Mr.. Fal-
coner.
EYES," acknowledged libby, 81 am
your cousin at least"
Second or third, it matters but little,
said Mr.. Falconer. 1--WE are all that is
left of the old family. | have come
north TO ask you and your mother to re-
turn with me to Cressada Vale, in Ala
bama, to be my mother and sister. We
will divide the fortune which should at
first have been equally distributed"
Tibby flushed vivid red.
"No." she said, involuntarily closing
her tiny fist. ~ will accept nothing
which the law doesn't allow me y
"But you will at least consent to come
thither as my guests" he pleaded, al
most with humility.
And libby, who had always felt a
longing desire to see the "Sunny South,
of her dreams, did not say "No."
So they left the Halfway house to
the generalship of Hannah Ann, whom
nothing could induce to 60.
And at the end of six months Tibby
came back to the mountains with Mr..
Falconer, as bright as human sun
beam.
"Humph" :" said Hannah Ann, who
was seated behind roaring fire
Of logs, "piecing' calico bed quilts tor
the next seasons boarders, 81 amt sur
prised to see YOU. calculated you d
get tired Of the south"
"But | am not tired Of it, Hannah
Ann" said Tibby. 81 shall live there
always now. I'm only here on a we'd
ding trip"
"What.. :" cried Hannah Ann.
81 am married. said libby, showing
her wedding ring with sweet happy
laugh. ITO my Cousin Falconer. Be-
cause there was no other way Of settling
the disputed questions OF the estates,
and-because liked him so well"
"Well, | declare :" said Hannah Ann.
"But if you remember, Miss Elizabeth
Mrs. Falconer, should say always
told you that the gentleman in the barn
chamber was the incest Of all our board
ers."
And Mr.. Falconer smiled as he said
"After all, libby, if Hannah Ann
hadn't taken me for a boarder, l never
should have read your character in its
true light. And if had missed you out
Of my life, darling bending to kiss her
brow, 81 should have missed jewel in
deed"