Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-03-13
MY LITE BOY.
Sherley Browne.
| was a widow.

Sherley Browne
| was a widow.
A young widow, I suppose, for no
one would regard three and twenty as
a very venerable age. And a pretty
widow, people said. Whether they
were right or wrong, ! cannot take
upon myself to say. OF course knew,
whenever I looked in The glass, that
was nci y absolute Highland so,
when my cousin, Mrs. General Fox
ley, nv:t1d me to SPEND a summer
with her at the Oriental hotel, where
there were balls aud soirees, lawn
tennis and archery breakfast going on
all the while, aAd wasn't at all sorry
that Mile. Chatelage had sent home
my lovely new haf-mourning dress,
all trimmed with pearl and lavender,
sparkling jet, and prismatic clair de
lanes, aud that Aunt Lavinia, our
family etiquette book" had decided
that it was quite proper to wear my
diamonds if / pleased. For I was a
decided brunette, and dark women al
ways look well in diamonds.
Not that it had occurred 10 me that
| should ever marry again. My old
commodore had been very good and
kind to me, but he was feeble and
ailing, and required a great deal of
care, and my general impression of
matrimony was that it involved
trouble and soIicitUde, aud a constant
burded of responsibility.
And now, was free, and intended
to remain sol l felt like a Gagged bird
that had managed to give its golden
wires the slip-a butterfly in the blue
June air! | meant to go to the
Oriental hotel and have :, royal time,
Waiting, dreamiug-even coquetting
little III a harmless sort of a way, if
it seemed go"d to me-but as to mar
rying again-no, not /! Even
Priscilla Bent, my companion, who
was the most logical of creatures, de
clarcd that woulG be the greatest
fool alive to do that!
But we never knew just what is
going to happen to Us. The very
night before we were to start for the
Orient, I came into the room where
Priscilla was packing the lace things,
which were too sice and delicate to be
intrusted to Fifine, the maid.
"Prissy," said I, ''look herel A
telegram from San Domingo! My
cousin, Fanny Black, is deadl"
Dear me, how sadr' said Prissy,
putting on the regulation look of
afIiiction, although she had never in
her life seen Mrs. Captain Basil Black,
of III. NJ 14th Fusileers, stationed in
the West Indies. But [ suppose
that won't Interfere with our trip to
the seaside, will it?"
But that isn't ALL" said l. "She
has left son. And with her dying
breath she charged it on her attend
ants that [ should take him to this
country and make home for him
How old is he?" said Priscilla Bent,
looking aghast. And"
Let me see." said /, counting upon
my fingers. Basil Black, k,-that's his
name, for l remember cousin Fanny
writing about him to aaamma when l
was mite of "a thing-must be one
and twenty at least by this time.
BLESS mew calculated Priscilla,
''ani you are only just turned % 3your-
selfm
''Prissy," cried I, with mischievous
glee, you're as good as a book of
dates!"
'But it won't be preper," said Pris-
ella
mot proper" echoed I. "Why
won't it be proper? Isn't the dear old
commodore's house big enough for all
of us7 And aren't you here to mat
ronize us2 think myself it will be
rather fine to fit up a suite of a.helor
apartments- -smokiag-room; dressing
room"
Elsie" cried Miss Bent, in despair,
Il believe you would make fun of any
thingl Don't you see how outlandish
this plan would bef Write at once to
these San Domingo people, and tell
them it is out Of the question"
Its too late now, Prissy," said /.
''They are on the way here, don't youl
see l shouldn't wender if the steamer
were IN port now. And you know,
Prlssy, I've always wanted to adopt a
little boy, only the dear commodore
wouldn't let me-"
"Elsie!n
"Wel, Prissy9"
Il think you must be crazy,'' groan.
ed Miss Bent. "a little boy. indeed
A dashing. flirting, drinking West
India fellow, six foot high. I'll 90 bail,
and broad to correspond shall leave
the houser'
mo, you won't Prissy, said /, coax
ingly You'll just make the best oil
it, as I am going 10 DO. | dare say he
is very nice,-and poor Fanny never
would have left him in my charge il
he wasn't all that is delightful. And
perhaps he'll want to go TO college, Oh
study law or something, so he won't
be very much in the house, after all
and you know, Prissy, one can't ne
glect dying womanis request"
1t was very thoughtless OF her, al
all events" grunbling my faithful
old chaperon. "A young thing like
your
1 laughed. Il dare say she heard
Twas a wiaow.n said I, and probably
imagined me a miSdle-ag horror
with eye glasses and double chin.
Leave these things, Prissy-we shall
/ not 90 to the sea shore now. until
cousin Basile i safely installed with
| his gun case, his hookahs and chibouks
his books and papers, In my blu.
roomsl Come with me and wen have
sp the housekeeeer, and turn them
| into a bachelor suite at once"
Twas very happy for the next three
days, studying the imaginary tastes
/ OF my unknown cousin, culling oui
choice editions Of the poets, hanging
rare engravings on the walls, and
matching carpets and curtains Mis-:
BeSt, POOR old soul, said it was al
nonsense. that no young man of any
spirit could condescend to 'ssit down
| Chat was her cxprsssioB) IN houss
where lie was to be dependent
But he is my coasln, Prissy,n saie
III. He has claim on me-