Middletown transcript., 1883-03-16

Strengthening a table cover here or pat
ting down curtain fold there.
eyes, . said he, with curious twitch
of the muscles around his eyes, " ne has
been here.n
CT didn't ask any question, Uncle
Nahum"
"No, but your eyes did," chuckled
the old man. "He wants to marry you
1.-THE improvident young donkey r.
Faith came to her Uncle's chair and
laid her hand lightly on his shoulder.
"That isn't the worst Of it, Uncle
Nahum want to marry him."
"Humph ~ snarled Mr.. Nixon, in
high contempt. 'sAnd what do you
expect to live on, should like to
know?'
"We can both work." said Faith
bravely.
You're more likely to starve, " said
Mr.. Nixon. Mind, don't count on
help from me. If you will get married,
YOU will do it at your own risk. =
''Then you consent, Uncle Nahum?"
"NoEo roared the old bachelor.
Nothing of the Sort
"But, Uncle Nuhum, should be
wretched without Duke, " softly pleaded
Faith.
Fiddlestrings ~ said the old man.
ssAnd I'm sure he couldn't live with
out me.''
"Trash I" grunted Mr.. Nixon.
"And if you please, uncle" added
Faith, "perhaps I'd better go to my
friend Violet Smiths to make up my
wedding things, since you disapprove
so decidedly Of my plans. She lives in
New York, you know, and it will be
convenient for shopping and"
"And for all other tomfooleries in
general" I" rudely interrupted the old
gentleman. Eyes, go to your Violet
Smiths, but don't expect to come back
here.''
"No, uncle y said Faith, meekly.
"But you'll let me thank you for all
your kindness, and"
"No, won't,'' said uncle Nahum,
so short that poor Faith fled up stairs
in dismay and had a quiet little cry,
notwithstanding she was very, very
happy.
For Uncle Nahum, brusque and
Grabbed though he was, was all the
father she had ever known. But she
packed her trunk and went to Violet
Smiths in New York, which was all
the pleasanter, in that Marmaduke
Bourne had also betaken himself to
this modern Gotham and gone to work
studying law as if he ment to take
Coke and Blackstone by storm. And |
Miss Violet Smith, who was senti-
mental young lady, sympathized in
tensely, and the young couple were as
unreasonably happy as many an other
couple mas been before and will be
again.
But one day Duke Bourne came in
with a face full of tidings.
Faith, " said he, "have you heard
the news ?''
"What news ?'' asked Faith.
"Your uncle will get the start of US
after all.''
"What do you mean, Duke ?''
Why, he's going to be married"
Uncle Nahum ?" cried Faith incredu-
lousy.
" Yes uncle Nahum. That accounts
for his being so willing to get rid Of us
-eh, little one ?"
"And who is the bride ?'' questioned
Faith.
Why, that's the mooted point yet.
Nobody seems to know. Some say one,
and some say another, but the general
impression seems to be that it is the
rich widow who owns the brown stone
block on the corner.''
Sim sure hope he will be happy"
said Faith, with tremulous lips and
eyes suffused with tears, But think
he might have said something to us
about it.
"People are not generally in hurry
to proclaim the fact that they are about
to make fools of themselves, y said Duke
Bourne, bitterly.
"Why," cried Faith, laughing
through her tears, " that is precisely
what he said about us"
But next day letter from Uncle Ma
hum himself settled the matter. He
wrote:
There is to be a wedding at my
house on the seventeenth, and want
you and Duke to be here without fail"
GA wedding At his house p cried
Faith. ''I supposed that weddings
were celebrated at the BRIDES resi-
dence."
$50 they are, dear, . said Miss Smith;
" but your uncle was always 50 eccen-
tric.''
"What shall we do ?'' asked Faith.
"Why go, of course,'' said Marina
duke Bourne to show that we bear
no malice at being disinherited if for no
other reason"
The seventeenth Of March arrived,
cold, clustering night, and the old red
brick house was all in glimmer of
lights as the young betrothed pair drove
up to the door. Uncle Nahum met
them on the threshold in his old-fash
ioned swallow-tailed coat, with huge
white camelia in his button hole, and
pair of surprisingly white kid gloves.
"Have you brought your white
frock Pn was his first question to his
niece.
"No, uncle, /"
tt turt4 ,,,o,,,t do - caid TTno1a Ma