The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1883-02-08
be turned out of a place"
"What do you meanS" said Henry
Charters gravely.

And Jettie told him all.
A dark frown gathered ever his
countenance. He had known that
Mrs. Copman and his three sisters-in-
law were selfish, arrogant and domi
neering. He had been quite aware
that he was little more than a person
of state in his own house; he had
even formed some vague idea that
Arabella, the youngestand least hard
favored of the three, had designs on
his heart. As far as he was person
ally concerned, it mattered not one
straw. But now that innocent, dewy
eyed Jettie had been thus ruthlessly
attacked, things assumed quite a
different aspect. He looked down
upon the sweet, blushing face, he
took both the little hands in his.
"Jettie," said he "this is an un-
even battle. One widow and three
resolute spinsters against an unprO
tected specimen of genus homo.
Yet | think if had an efficient
lieutenant I could defeat the enemy
yet. Will you join the rauks?"
"I-I don't think l understand
yOu;" faltered Jettie.
"YOu are eighteen-I am thirty"
he went on. "And yet, Jettie, l
feel young enough to be your match.
Dear Jettie, will you be my wife?
Do you love me, Jettie?"
And Jettie bravely answered:
eyes. I will be your wife, Mr..
Charters. l do love you, and" she
added, artlessly, 81 have loved you
ever since came hsme from school,
and met you at the Sunday-schoOl
picnic under the maple trees"
Mrs. Copman and three daughters
had been to New York to order their
spring wardrObes-charged to Mr..
Charters account, of course-and it
was late on the evening of the third
day when they returned, cross, irrita-
bic and tired-Marion a shade red
der nosed thar usual, Arabella more
pettish, Melicent more blOwzy and
coarse.
To their amazement and indigna-
ton, the sound of one of Schubert's
Nocturnes AOated out from the par
lor window as they advanced.
"WhO is presuming to play on our
piano." said Mrs. Copman, in rage.
"And the windows all open, too
fading the pallor carpet" screamed
Miss Melicent.
GAS sure as you live, mamma,
gaeped Arabella, "it's that bold par
sons daughter, Jettie Lanel"
THE impudence of some peOple!
cried Marion. "When mamma as
good as ordered her off the premises
not a month ago."
Henry" said Mrs. Copman, sour
ly as she caught sight of her son-in-.
law, serenely smoking his cigar just
inside the easement, "why lis it that
the carriage was not sent to meet us?
Why are we compelled to walk all
the way from the depot in the brol-
ing heat? And what is that woman
here for?" as she caught sight of Jet
ties white dress in the background
of the large, dim room.
"The carriage was not sent for
YOU" said Mr.. Charters, calmly,
because Mrs. Charters was using
it."
"Mrs. Chsrterisl" gasped the wild
ow, dropping at least half a dozen of
her packages in the path, while Hen
ry led forward the beautiful young
bride, all in white, with cheeks like
pale roses.
Mrs. Charteris!" he repeated. -
"My wife. Let me present you and
the Misses Copman to her"
And that was the end Of the COM
plication. For, of course, Mrs. Cop
man and her daughters were too
spirited to remain under the same
roof with such a dimpled and lovely
young usurper. And they removed
all that belonged to them, and a good
deal that didn't, from the house the
next day, in high dudgeOn.
ITO think what fools men arel"
IL IL lou, GIVL... L.. II -.