St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-02
MIR. Farquhar's Niece.

Mr.. Farquhar certainly did not in
tend to invite his niece to join him in
Paris when he wrote to inform her that
he was making a 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 In
dia nearly twenty yeals, and cOnse-
quently he did not feel much personal
interest in her. But he had generous
ly paid for her education and mainte-
nance since she had lost her parents,
and was prepared to make home for
her on his arrival in England there
fore he had written her kind letter to
announce his return.
But he was very much surprised and
somewhat disconnected when two days
later, he was informed, on reaching his
hotel after an evening stroll on the
boulevards, that a young lady who had
just arrived from England was await
| ing him in the salon, and before he had
recovered from his astOnishment he
found himself in the presence of his
niece, who greeted him atfectiOnately
and dutifully held up a 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 | known
You were coming"
Il thought you would be surprised,
uncle" said the young lady, blushing.
''The fact was, my friends, Mr.. and
| tn-
day, and | availed myself of their es-
cOrt. Otherwise, | should not have
come for "A day or two, or at all events
not until | had answered your letter"
Mr.. Farquhar was on the point OF
saying that he did not recOllect any
thing in his letter which could be con
strued into an invitation, but being a
kind-hearted, susceptible old gentle
man, he refrained. The truth was, he
was very much struck by his niece's
prepossessing appearance. He possess
ed a photograph of her taken some
years back, which had given him Il 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 la
dy's fair face, tall, graceful figure and
frank blue eyes, that he had baulkeC
himself of the pleasure of anticipating
such charming revelation.
"l-l hope you are not ang~y will
me, uncle, for arriving SO unce- tmoni
ously," said his niece. interrupting hi.
reverie.
"Angry my dear child On the con
E trary, delighted Quite delighted =
said Mr.. Farquhar, heartily. "Hi wait
er, tell the chambermaid femme d
chdmbre, you knOw-tO conduct this la
dy to a room near mine. And, bless III,
soul you must he hungry, my dear
Dinner, waiter, DIRECTLY
While his niece was making the ne
cessary alterations to her toilet, Mr.
Farquhar superintended the details o
dainty little repast, which the youn,
lady found awaiting her when she cam
down. The old gentleman was NOR
delighted than ever with his niece's ap
pearance when he beheld her diveste,
of her hat and travelling attire, AM
} could hardly take his eyes off her. Il
fact, admiration and astOnishment rem
dered him strangely silent, and as tn
young lady was evidently fatigued al
It ter her journey, their conversation wa
e not of very confidential nature.
l. "Now, my dear, if you are tired
don't hesitate to go to your roOm," sal
Mr.. Farquhar, noticing at length hi
niece's fatigue. "YOu mustn't spO
your roses, Ada, and we have a lot {
sightseeing before u.s."
':Thank you, uncle" said the youn
lady, rising from the table but m
-. name is Amy, you knew, not Ada"
Il "Amy, to be sure. / was thinking
was Ada" replied Mr.. Farquhar,
n some confusion and having submitte
with good grace to another dutiful 81
- lutte, he opened the door for her, an
made his way to the smoking room t
discuss a cherOot before turning in.
1t was astonishing what an exhili
rating effect the arrival of his nice
, had upon the old gentleman. He fe
quite young and jaunty at the prOspe'
of having to escort pretty girl abOI
to see the sights of Paris. He was u
betimes next morning, and dresse
himself with especial care. He eve
made pilgrimage to the MadeleiI
y market to purchase a flower for h
, hole, not forgetting also a vel
elegant little bOquet, which he place
by the side of his niece's plate.
Miss Amy came down to breakfa
looking fresh and rosy, and charmir
after her nights rest. She went in
- ecstasies over the bOguet her uncle ba
provided, and insisted upon giving hi
an extra kiss for his attention. 81
R laughed and talked shyly during tt
- meal, and Mr.. Farquhar learned gre
deal of news about members of the far
lily whom he did not recOllect ever ha
ing heard Of But the fact was that
paid very little attention to what L
v. niece was saying, being absorbed
watching her and listening to her IN
gh steal voice. His niece had fairly b
th' witched him, and it only dawned mp
gs' the old gentleman that he had laps
ing into a stupefied silence when the you
lady, in her turn, suddenly left {
talking. Then he awOke to the ia
that his niece was showing symptOl
,. of embarrassment, and that brig
Gu. flush of color was mounting to l