The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-10-30

him inawares notwithstanding tho
erimness Of Scott and the unnlistakabls
frigidity Of their welcome: Every
morning Gen: Biddulph sngerly
searched his letters in quest Of some
dispatch informing him of the arrival Of
his ward, and he called twice day re-
gular at Charges street only to receive
the intelligence that Mrs Conayns and
Miss DAILY had not yet arrived"
A week had elapsed since he received
Maj: Days letter, and still no tidings
had come. Contrary winds or recall
citrant engines had delayed the P. & 0.
with it's fair freight, and the general
was beginning to be uneasy: At last
one morning he was gratitied when he
called at the house by the announce
ment that "the ladies were expected
that evening""
Now that the actual moment was ap-
preaching when he should come face to
face with the much thong of, much
talked-of ward, he found himself actu-
ally nervous and excited. Scott, who
had received the news with stolid silence,
gazed with establishment at the specta-
Gle of his master, fidgeting- actually
fdgeting the window to the arm
chair, like the veriest school boy. The
generals mind during the unusual mi
grations presented brilliant panorama
Of future success. He saw vestas of
long social triumpls in which he shared
largely. Then he fell to thinking what
the queen Of all these joys would be
like; tall and stately, small and fragile
blue, gray, brown, black eyes; complex
ion as fair as lily or dusky as the pro-
verbal berry Cleopatra or Gretch-
en-, soft as ball of down or sturdy
as the Morse daughters. One thing, at
any rate, he was certain of: she would
be young. With life's spring dawning
on her cheek, how could she be aught
but charming? 1t is wonderful how a
man like the general, who had lived so
many years and had so. much experience,
could have made this mistake. Pigs
beauty is all very well; but youth is
more than often connected with indiff-
erent skins, lengthy limbs and gawky
forms generally DESTROYS of wriggling
out of their garments. His wishes in
this case we're father to the picture, and
he ended by starting to welcome the
traveller with the personifcation of fe-
male lovliness before his eyes.
He knocked briskly at the door in
Charges street, and smiled benignly on
the man who opened it and preceded
him up stairs. The sun was lingering
on the walls as he mounted the stair case,
and the evening air came in sweet and
fresh through an open window. It had
been very hot all day, and the general
was surprised at first to find bright
fire burning on the hearth of the room
into which he was ushered, until he re-
membered, that Of course the travellers
would be chilly. The room was empty,
but from an adjoining chamber came
| sounds of voices, loud and almost dis
cordant The general shivered. Gould
hers be one of them? He hoped not
It was apparent to the meanest intelli-
gence that some sort of alteration was
proceeding. He grew nervous. Rows
and disturbances were at all times ap-
palling. After few moments the
voices dropped and he let his eye wander
round the room. In one corner stood q
huge travelling case, with labels all over
| it; masses of wraps vivid scarlet, bear
skin rug and an unmistakable Scotch
| plaid were tossed unheeded on the floor,
while parcels and snail boxes were
strewn around in the widest profusion.
| The hands of the clock moved slowly
on. Waiting is always annoying, now it
was most provoking. But just as he
was debating whether to 60 or stay the
door of the inner room was opened, and
| pale, fair, faded woman of about &c
made her appearance. The general
advanced with low bow. ,
"How do you do, Gen. Biddulph p
she said, in languid tones, extending a
thin, delicate hand. II am so sorry to
keep you waiting. but was Detained by
Dessa," (sighing faintly). The general
fastened to push al easy chair for
ward. II am really quite glad you
have come," continued Mrs. Comyns
sinking into the chair, and drawing the
shawl closely around her, ''for she is
altogether beyond me-"
''Are you abiding to Miss DAILY 2
asked the general hastily.
Eyes, - sighed the lady. out 81
friendship to Maj. DAILY ! undertook
the charge of his daughter; but I was
totally unprepared for her wild temper
and ways.
"She is high-spirited? suggest.
ed feebly.
"very," Mrs. Comyns replied dryly
"My health is so bad I am quite moon
| petent to manage her."
"Mav I not see her?" asked the gen
eral, after pause.
"She will be here in a minute.
daresay you heard some sounds Of
quarreling when you came in. Yes,
thought SO; that was Dessa giving he1
ayah lesson in fact pulling out the
general uttered an exclamation of dis
may. II think it is only right to lei
you know what she is. the lady con.
tinued, holding out her hands to the
fire, though to him the room was in
sufferably hot, unless you are pre-.
pared; perhaps you are. Has Maj
DAILY told you anything about hcr?'
! The general was reluctantly compelled
to reply in the negative.
"Just as I expected; he is too lazy tt
do anything of the sort. My owl
opinion is that he is too delighted to ge
rid of her for time. I am not sur
prised. "
"But she is so beautiful" said thu
general, apologetically, the picture O.
his visionary ward rising clearly before
him.
Mrs. Comyns turned her head aside
"She is triAe dark" was her reply; ant
somehow the general traced suppressed
merriment in her tones.
"She is brunette, then? he asked
anxiously.
/ Mrs. Comyns laughed softly. IN,
dear Ger. Biddulph," she said, looking
at him for one moment, II see you ART
not an courant with the state of things
May I ask if you remember the late Mrs
Daly?"
II have no personal recollection, Ger
tainly; but know her to have been :
beautiful and amiable woman" he re-
turned promptly.
"That vas the first wife; mean thu
second"
"The sccond!" repeated the general
! I,1orb7v