The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-05-01
PRECIOUS Poll.
CHAPTER ].
by ALMA r. M'KEE.

Mehitablc; it makes mo nervous to see
you on your feet SO much"
"Oh, auntie," in soft, sweet voice,
"don't worry about me. I am doing
nicely, I assure you. But I'm afraid
you are not nearly SO we'll to-day, are
You? You look paler than usual"
mo, niece. am not quite as we'll to-
day as yesterday; for, do you know, /
worry SO much about your future. Here
we are eating up our small income, inch
by inch, and when that is gone we must
of necessity starve. That servant is
not worth her salt. fear shall be
obliged to discharge her; and Mnrion
is SO thoughtless. What need has she
"A poor girl wasting her money and
time in such foolishness as drawing and
painting and nonsense2" And Aunt
Cynthia Crowell looked tho picture of
vexation.
"Oh, auntie, trust we are not quite
so destitute as that. Why, that gold
pin of mine would sell for something,
dare say, il it should come to that OK.
tremity; and, besides, there is man
around paying quite price for all
species of birds for his museum, and l
thought that that old parrot of yours,
auntie-"
"Mehitable Ryderl Do you dare to
intimate such cruel, utterly mon
strous, proposal as that to me? Ny
darling Poll, that / have had since my
babyhood? That l have taught to
talk and wink and blink at me, and who
shows more real affection for me, ac-
cordingly, than either of my nieccss
No! / shall keep her until she dies,
and then have her stuffed. l fear it
will not be long until that occurs, for
she seems to be dropping of late. Don't
you notice it, Mchitable?"
A smothered laugh, followed by a
forced cough from behind tho heavy
folds of damask, screening one of the
windows, drove the similar inclination
from the lips of Hettie, as it sounded
teo deris.ve when proceeding from those
of another; and, forcing the smile from
her lips, she said, abruptly:
Aunt Cynthia, this il o lovely day.
May we not (that is, Marion and u give
you turn or two under the laurels, in
your invalid chair? Please say yes,
auntie."
"Well. niece, I suppose Imay as we'll
submit at once, or stand the chance of
being teased out of my senses. But
make sure that you wrap me up good.
Marion! Marion! where are you! Put
away those fol-de-rols, and come imme-
diately to assist your cousin; you al
ways was lazy. l shall leave my pre-
cious Poll to Mehitable; see if I don't, !"
she muttered under her breath.
Marion appeared in an incredibly
short space Of time, Judging that she
was not visibly near before her aunt's
call, and at once took up her station by
the side of Hettic.
aAre you easy, Aunt Cynthia?" kind
ly inquired Hettie, as she was being
propelled on the thick green grass.
well, shouldn't wonder, answered
that eccentric individual, leaning back
comfortably in her well-cushioned
chair. but, say, who is that insolent-
looking young man staring in here? l
wonder if he ever saw me before, or is
it you he's comforting SO much honor
on, Marion? I have half mind to
ask him, the impudent fellow"
"Oh, aunt, please, please, do not:
indeed, he is not impudent," exclaimed
poor Hcttic, coloring to the roots of her
bright golden curls, while modification
looked from her pretty blue eyes. @Hc
is admiring our fower-beds; don't you
see that he is moving away now?"
"Ycs, and it's high time he did, too
after making such big eyes ct you, and
scraping and bowling like conceited
monkey that he is. Why didn't you
cut him, Mehitable? What is he to
you?" ..
"What is hc to me, aunt? love him,
and have promised some time in the
future to marry him!" exclaimed Het-
tie, her face now pale with apprehen-
sion.
"Indecd!' scornfully. well, niece,
] must say, you have taken the reins
iuto your own hands entirely. you and
he. Never come near the old woman ia
ask consent or leave, but ignored my
advice altogether. Now. let me tell
you plainly, Mehitable, you are not oi
age, us yet, and with my consent you'll
never marry that brazen dog! Dye
bear that?" and the irate old LADY
turned full round in her chair, that she
might better view the effect of hcl
words. "And I may say, right hero,
that ! do not admire tour taste in the
least"
And she laughed a hard. discorlant
laugh rs she watched his rctreatine
figure, almost out of sight.
| Had we not better 20 in now,
aunt?" asked Hettic, anxious to fly te
her own chamber and solitude.
"Oh, yes; anything to be agreeable.
I am sure don't care! But it appears
to me you tire of tbs beautiful land
scapc and bright sunshine remarkably
soon to-day. However, let us so i'll 7
They entered tho house and the i'll
valid room, assisted Aunt Cynthia to
bed, then sat down, Hcttie at som.
lace work, Marion with her drawing
material. Very soon the aunt, ap
lurcntly, slept profoundly; at least sh;
snorcd horribly" rs Marion termed it
"ics!' responded Marion, II have
letter or two, to write"
what do you think put aunt OH. 81
to-,lay?" asked Marion.
| "Oh, Pm sure / don't know; excep
it was that sho heard you snickor be
hind the curtain, aud deemed it lnkind
But then sho is sick, and that is rcas Oh
enough. ! daresay l should he no bet
ter in her place." And tender-heartet
Hettie flushed with sympathy for heI
queer old amt.
"Well. by the way, Het, admire
your pluck and eandor exceedingly
How ever did you have courage t,
acknowledge your acquaintance will
tl.at 'conceitcd monkey?'" asked Ma
rioa, laughing merrily.
lIettie colored a little Indignantly
a. she answered.:
I Il meaut 10 have told aunt long ago