The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-08-07
NANCY'S DEVICE.

running with curls,' enshroudlng q
fair. winsome face of perfect oval, that
seemed made for smiles and laughter
only and generally fulfilled the expec-
tations it aroused; but on the present
occasion it must be confessed that the
prevailing expression of Hetty Blake'S
features was very cross indeed, as she
sat in the wide window sill, swinging
her pretty little feet and pouting pair
of exquisitcly-curved scarlet lips, as
she plated and unplaited the strings OF
her broad-rimmed Gypsy hat.
Il don't care said Miss Hetty. 81
don't love Mr.. Meredith! And | don't
want to marry him. SO there now"
And she nibbled at the hat strings
and frowned under her level brown
brows, like a pretty rebel as she was.
"Hetty, hold your tongue, said La
vinia, her elder sister.
You don't know what you're talk
ing about" severely uttered Mrs.
Blake, who was mixing up a batch of
bread at the kitchen table. Mr.. Mer-
edith has house and farm worth ten
thousands pounds. And it's q great
compliment for him to speak to your
father about marrying you.
Then | wish he'd keep his compli-
mcnts to himself" said the incorrigible
Hetty. Look here, Layinia, why
won't you marry him."
Lavinia, overcome with indignation,
dealt her roguish little sister a box on
the ear, which Hetty narrowly escaped
by sudden depression of her head.
mo, but it would suit so exactly"
said Hctty. "Layinia is just that sort
of person!'
"Hetty. don't be fool!' said Mrs.
Blake. you should thank Providence
that Mr.. Meredith is pleased to marry
you, and put all nonsensical ideas
about Harry Waite out of your head at
once!n
But Hetty frowned and pouted more
and more, and tried resolutely to keep
the big, bright tears from falling on
her hands.
What shall | do?n said Hetty to
herself. "For never never can mar
ry that bald-headed old man who talks
through his nose and carries yellow
silk pocket-handkerchief! And I'm
sure Harry would shoot himself when
be heard of it!'
But all Hetty Blake's tears and lam
entations availed nothing. Her father
was practical man of the world. Her
mother understood the full meaning of
money, and 50 the match was to be
hurried on, regardless of the feelinps
of the bride-eleCt.
But Providence intcTiered-that kind
ly Providence which has the interests Of
true lovers ever under its care.
Mr.. and Mrs. Blake had gone to at
tend chapel meeting twenty miles
away, with Lavinia in their train.
Hetty, being 'unregoneratc, was
left at home to mediate over Il volume
0f sermons.
Now be sure, He,iy you look well
after the house, said Mrs. Blake;
"and see that Nancy feeds the young
calves regularly, aud cares for the Cos
lings ana the chickens. And lock up
the house at ten O'Clock every night,
and be sure You CON let in any tramps
nor peddlers "
I'm be very careful" said Hetty.
1--WE shall be back on Friday" said
Mrs. Blake, "wthout fail; and if you
have any leisure time YOU can turn the
sheets in the wash-basket, and darn the
thin places in the back-parlor carpet
and do any other useful odd jobs about
the house"
So Mrs. Blake climbed into the cart,
where her husband and Layinia were
already seated, and drove away, call
Ing out directions to Hetty as long as
the house was in sight
The heads Of the family had not been
gone for more than two hours, when
Hetty came flying out to the kitchen,
where Nancy was making softsoap.
"Oh, Nancy, what shall | do?'
cried she. Here's Mr. Meredith, get.
ting out of a one-horse chaiso at the
door"
"Why, 60 up and see him of course"
said Nancy, who was one of the old
family servants. who are becoming, as
race, extinct in England.
Cant tell him that father and
mother are gone away?" pleaded Hctty.
"Nonsense. said Nancy, stirring
desperately away at her monster kot2,
tie. "You don't suppose it's your
father and mother that he comes to see,
10 ,-a,,o a. 4.,,. - .L -. >