The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-12-25


The Squire put his hand back of hi,
ear.
"Would you repeat it little loud
erpn said he. "Oh, solitary! Yes!n
eff he should marry me- thought
Miss Whitman, ''the very first thing
shall insist upon will be an ear trum
pet.
''Does your soul ever sigh for con.
genial companionshipp'' said she, IN
high falsetto, s.Mine does!'
The Squire's heavy face lightened
little.
'Miss Whitman" said he, with an
unctuous chuckle, may I confde in
youP"
Miss Whitpan's heart gave an up
ward leap.
Certainly" she answered.
"Well, Them said the Squire, ''I'm
going to hev congenial companionshir
arter the first of next month. I'm 90
ing to be married to Cornelia "COPPER"
"Ohr' said Miss Whitman, feeling as
if some one had violently boxed hel
ears Tim sure ] congratulate
you!"
"HeyP" said the Squire, leaning for.
ward #
II gratu-late you'll" bawled
Miss Whitman.
mo cake for me-" said the Squire.
'Tm little troubled with dyspepsy.
But Cornelia's a smart, stirring girl,
and home like mine needs mistress.
So I've concluded to get married, and
I'm very glad you approve of my idea
And the Squire departed, chuckling
all the way to the front gate.
II never saw such deaf old fool in
my life," cried Miss Valeria, aloud.
"Eh, what's that noise? If it's the cat
jumping at my canary again-but it
sounded like some one laughing, and
cats don't laugh. Who's thatP Philo
Lusk, [ declare. Well, he's likely
young fellow-not as rich as Squire
Hart, may be, but-oh, come in, Mr..
Lusk, come in | am so glad to see
you! Lovely day, isn't itp Do have a
little cake-or just drop Of my own
currant wine. "
Philo Lusk sat down with his hat in
his lap.
81 received your card, Miss Valeria, .
said he, and am here in response to
it."
~ $50 kind of you!n said Miss Whit
man, with smile which even the tabled
Goats of Cheshire could not excel, al
though they are reported to be good at
smiling.
''To tell the TRUTH said honest
Philo, 81 wanted little talk with you, .
''Indeed!n said the lady. 4NNon't
you come here and sit by me on the
sofy? It's more sociable like"
"Oh, yes, if you like said Philo,
obeying her gesture of invitation "You
see, my mother is getting feebler every
day, and we feel the need of some
younger person at the farm. And
am eight and twenty now, and the place
is in prime order, and | have money at
interest, so that I've pretty much made
up my mind to marry
Miss Valeria let the pulled and frizzed
head fall on his shoulder.
Dearest Philor' she exclaimed.
=" Yes exactly!n said Philo Lusk,
moving as far away as the arm of the
sofa would allow, so, if you thought
that your niece Bella would have me
" My niece Bella!' gasped the elder
lady, the immovable bloom never fall
tering on her face, although her heart
beat wildly and her lips blanched.
Yes" said Philo. Il hoped to
have seen her here to-day"
Nor Sid Miss Yaleria, sharply.
''She has gone away; and if she hadn't
she wouldn't accept your
Isis She engaged to some one
elsepp stammered poor Philo.
Yes,' said Miss Whitman-sst ito
Peter Gregson But, Philo, do not
grieve; am ready to entertain your
suit, although Bella despises you,
and
e But she doesn't aunty!'' said a
clear distinct voice; and Bella herself
entered from the adjoining room ssOn
the contrary, she loves Philo Lusk
dearly; and she refused Peter Gregson,
as you know very well. Oh, Philo, =
with a reproachful glance at her lover,
would You have believed her false
hoodsp"
How came you hereP'' screamed
Miss Whitman.
i went to Mrs. Willett's house, i
said Be la, fand she had gone to spend
the holidays with her niece at Med
bury. SO came home; and not wish
ing u disturb you / sat down at my
work in the Kitchen And the door was
partly open, and I couldn't help hear
Ntnasfy
and your elderly visitors, aunty. And
once | laughed out loud, and you
thought it was the cat. =
s'You are deeeitful minx!. cried
Miss Valerie, nearly suffocating with
indignation.
Gently, gentlyr' said Philo Lusk,
interposing in Bella's defense. mo
calling Of names, please
"And you shan't stay in my house
another day!n added theindignant lady.
"Then she shall come to minein
boldly asserted Philo Lusk. aCome,
Bella, darling my sleigh is at the
door, and it holds exactly two. Wen
go to Parson Meadows and get mar
ried this very hour. -
And they did so; and Mrs. Lusk,
senior, who was waiting at the farn-
house door to receive her. son, was de-
lighted beyond measure.
IF it hadn't been me, said Bella,
laughing mischievously. sit would have
been Aunt Val; for she was determined
to marry Philol's
"The Lord folbid!n said Mrs. Lusk,
piously.
'And after this. said Philo, as he led
his bride in. 'sthe first day of the year
will be a double anniversary-the hap
piest OF happy New Years to US, eh,
BellaP'--Helsll Forest QFagsA