The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-11-15

handsome, voting face, framed in with
n lot Of yellow hair, that was his aunt's
pride - though she was too
much overcome with rage now to pay
any attention to his good looks.
"Just to Think she went on, in her
thin, high-quivering key, that of oil
persons in the world, you should select
Nellie Willis to be your wife. And
you know very we'll, Teddy, what my
opinion is of the Willis family-n poor,
proud, shiftless set, to make the best
of 'em."
Teddy grew very red.
IF rumor is true, Aunt Wickershani,
You did not always rate the Willis at
such low figure particularly the
Major" retorted he, Indignantly.
The pale pink that yet fingered in
Miss Wickersham's delicate old face
turned suddenly to a vivid scarlet.
She choked, and hesitatad an instant.
"This from you, Teddy said she re-
proachfully.
Directly he had the grace to feel
ashamed Of himself.
Forgive me, aunt" he cried. Il am
blute."
"Say no more," said she coldly,
motioning him to leave the room, the
delicate color in her face having now
faded entirely out, giving place to a
dull, leaden HE, not pleasant to see.
Once alone, she went to foreign
cabinet that stood in one corner of the
apartment, and, unlocking the drawer,
took therefrom small parcel.
1T seems strange how the folly of
my youth yet clings to me i'll my old
age she mused, bitterly, turning the
package over in her still white and
shapely hands.
II will burn these things. Perhaps
forgetfulness will come the more
readily" she uttered to herself, undo
ing the parcel, and dropping bunch
of withered roses on the desk.
Still, she hesitated, thousand mem
ories of bygone time, struggling
through her mind. and suspicious
moisture dimming the brightness of her
proud, dark eyes.
"She would only break his heart,
she cried at last, impatiently. "They
are coluettes, all-father and daughter
alike. Teddy shall not have his life
spoiled by her-the false daughter--of
an unworthy parent"
An instant later and she had flung
the little packet into the CRATE. There
was sudden light puff and strong
perfume from the burning roses, filled
the room. The parlor door was thrown
open. "Maj. Willis announced the
servant. The room seemed to swim
around her, for a moment. She could
not have been more astonished TO hear
clap Of thunder from clear heaven.
A feeling Of anger brought back her
usual self-possession.
"To what am I indebted for this
visit, Maj. Willis" she asked with
freezing politeness.
ITO be frank-yarious causes. / am
here, principally, in behalf Of the future
well-being of our young people, re-
piled the Major, bravely.
IF you are trying to negotiate mar
riage between those two, you may as
we'll know, first as last, that I shall
never consent to it, said Miss Wicker
sham, ignoring the fact that her visitor
was still standing, hat in hand, before
her.
The Major bit his lip.
He glanced critically at his obdurate
hostess, as she, too, rose to her full
height and confronted him, her face
pale, her eyes flashing, and her white
ringed fingers tightly clasping the edge
of the old cabinet he remembered OF
yore.
1t was thirty years since he had
entered that house for the last time, as
he supposed. He was young man
then, gay and handsome, and very
much in love indeed, with the angry
lady before him. Thirty years. 1t
was long time. and yet, how we'll he
remembered even the smallest detail
of the room. Nothing was changed
now, he thought with cynical smile,
save himself and the little old lady
who so ungraciously received him.
Unconsciously the Major fetched deep
sigh.
It was evident that, if Miss Wicker.
sham had unhappy memories of the
long ago, the doughty Major also had
a few that were not SO pleasant as they
might have been.
1T seems o great pity" said he, re-
calling himself with an effort, "that
two young lives should be made miser,
able because of mere whim. Icalled
to-day to speak to you about the settle
ments shall make my daughter on the
occasion of her marriage. l am not
rich, still she will have no mean dowry.
I'VE will not discuss the subject ol
your daughters marriage, as it concerns
me not the slightest. I have this tc
say, If my nephew persists in making
Miss Willis his wife, ! shall execute .
will cutting him off with apaltry dollar
My determination is unchangabie.
There was the least little bit of ar
angry sparkle in the corner of the
Majors eye.
"Miss Willis will not marry fol
money!" said he, quietly shifting lii
position little, and resting his elbow
on the low mantle piece. "Mv daugh
ter's happiness is my only considera
tion."
Miss Wickerham noticed-.indeed sh.
could not well help it-what fin,
looking man the Major was, in spite O
his fifty years. Her heart throbbed ,
trihe faster as she thought of days long
gone past.
"But for her dear sake" continue.
the Major, II should not again eros
the threshold of this house, Rebeccah.
"That is like man, remarked Mis-
Wickersham, with biting sarcasm
"But let it pass. Ny nephew is 0
age, and will undoubtedly do as HI
likes in this matter
| The Major leaned little NOR
heavily on the mantle piece, his elho,
in dangerous proximity to an old, dis
colored plaster bust Of Franklin. H
glanced at it casually, and then remem
bered with pang the last time he ha'
looked upon it thirty years before.
Il shall be sorry to have Ted los
his inheritance for my daughters sake,
1 Maso .e,.tt k,s